Clinical evaluation of the interpulse low resistance microporous membrane oxygenator

The Interpulse microporous membrane oxygenator has been used in 100 patients for cardiac surgery. This oxygenator features transverse furrows in the membrane and a back and forth motion of the blood as it flows between the membranes. This pulsing motion causes secondary flows or vortices to occur in the furrows of the membrane. These secondary flows promote mixing of the blood in the film. This oxygenator has been used in a single pump circuit for perfusions for up to 343 minutes at a flow rate up to 5.9 l/min. Oxygen saturation has always been 98% or greater. The pulser rate of the oxygenator influences oxygen transfer, and the pulser rate has been regulated between 80 and 225 pulses per minute to achieve a mean arterial PaO2 of 207 mmHg. Carbon dioxide transfer is affected by the oxygen flow through the device and has been adjusted to between 0.2 and 7 l/min to obtain a mean PaCO2 of 40 mmHg in this series. This device has proved to be safe and effective in perfusions for cardiac surgery.