Hemolung

The Hemolung consists of a small cylindrical oxygenator that is approximately 4 inches in diameter. A cylindrical bundle of micro-porous hollow fiber membranes woven into a mat is wrapped in multiple layers around a central core. Oxygen flows through the hollow fiber membranes, while blood is circulated though the hollow fiber bundle. The core is spun at approximately 1000 RPM, dramatically enhancing gas exchange, as well as serving as a pump to move the blood through the external circuit.

The patient is cannulated with a 12-18F cannula, similar in size to cannulae utilized in hemo-dialysis. The cannula is inserted into the jugular or femoral, and can be tunneled if necessary. Blood flows from the cannula through the Hemolung oxygenator at similar flow rates to hemodialysis.

When the Hemolung console is activated, oxygen flows through the hollow fibers and is transferred into the blood, while carbon dioxide is transferred from the blood into the oxygen stream and carried away from the body.