Simple evaluation method of biocompatibility of artificial oxygenator hollow fiber

We made miniature modules filled with artificial oxygenator hollow fibers and conducted a simple experiment to study the effect of different membrane structures on the blood. Three types of modules were made: one filled with polyolefin, one filled with polypropylene, and a blank module. The 3 modules were connected through 3 fine tubings to one needle so that the same blood that passed through the 3 modules could be analyzed simultaneously. Nonheparinized blood was continuously withdrawn from 6 healthy volunteers using a small pump and passed through the circuit by a single pass (10 ml/min, for 10 min). Platelet count, thrombin-antithrombin complex, and complement-3 were measured in the blood collected at 10 min from the outlet of each module. The results showed significantly better biocompatibility of polyolefin than polypropylene, which is attributable to the dense layer of the blood contact surface of polyolefin fibers. This method is useful in assessing biocompatibility of various hollow fibers in a simple and safe manner.