[Experimental study of ventricular assist device incorporated with a membrane oxygenator]

We designed a new device that incorporated a VAD out let with a membrane oxygenator, and examined the result. In the mock circulation study, a sufficient inlet flow from the membrane oxygenator for oxygenation and removal of carbon dioxide was obtained. Sufficient flow and pressure to maintain systemic circulation were also obtained. In the hypoventilation and heart failure models' study, with this device, hemodynamics were improved and recovered from heart failure. This device was also able to maintain systemic circulation. And the data of blood gas analysis were also improved. These results suggest that this new assisted-circulation system is possibly a superior circulation assist method which has circulatory assist effects and respiratory assistance capabilities. Moreover, we suspect that these findings can be put to use in clinical cases that include heart failure associated with respiratory failure.