Importance

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Abstract

A compliant blood gas exchanger is provided including a housing having a first end cap, a second end cap, and an elastomeric sidewall or sleeve extending there between forming a chamber. A hollow fiber assembly is disposed in the chamber. The hollow fiber assembly has a first mounting collar, a second mounting collar and a plurality of hollow fibers disposed there between. The first end cap is disposed in communication with the first mounting collar and the second end cap is disposed in communication with the second mounting collar. The end caps are connected to a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The chamber is in communication with a blood inlet and a blood outlet. The elastomeric sidewall is responsive to internal and external pressures affecting the chamber. The first chamber can also be placed adjacent to a second chamber and both chambers placed within a rigid outer housing. Thus, a dual-chamber pulsatile blood gas exchanger can be provided. That is, the second chamber may be in connection with a pump mechanism or vacuum mechanism such that the chamber creates a pulsatile flow within the first chamber.

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First Claim