ABSTRACT
Silastic membrane tubing oxygenators possess valuable atraumatic properties, but no satisfactory miniature system for isolated organ perfusion has been achieved. We describe the construction of a new type of miniaturized Silastic membrane tubing oxygenator, 1.5 m long, 1.5-mm diameter, 75-micron wall thickness, incorporated in a single self-supporting unit readily applicable to isolated organ perfusion because of its simplicity, durability, and small prime volume of less than 3 ml. In vitro experiments using out-dated human banked blood demonstrated that the unit can effectively oxygenate blood of hematocrit 35% at flow rates of at least 10 ml/minute and that higher flow rates may be used to oxygenate blood or perfusates of a lower hematocrit. The results were verified in three different practical experimental applications: isolated rat liver, rabbit heart, and rat free skin flap perfusion.
