Evaluation of a chemical technique for determining the oxygen permeability of synthetic membranes

The biocompatibility and high gas transfer characteristics of gas-permeable membranes have led to their use for total and supportive cardiopulmonary bypass. The gas transfer rates, particularly of oxygen, have previously been measured with sophisticated apparatus and this has restricted accurate measurements to a few laboratories. A simple chemical technique for measuring the oxygen permeability of synthetic membranes is described, in which sodium hydrosulfite is used to provide the highest possible oxygen gradient and the volume of oxygen crossing the membrane is measured volumetrically. Results agreed with those obtained with orthodox apparatus and replacement of the reducing agent with blood gave much lower oxygen transfer rates demonstrating the rheological influences of the blood upon oxygen transfer.