Development of a novel polyimide hollow-fiber oxygenator

Abstract

We have developed a membrane oxygenator using a novel asymmetric polyimide hollow fiber. The hollow fibers are prepared using a dry/wet phase-inversion process. The gas transfer rates of O2 and CO2 through the hollow fibers are investigated in gas-gas and gas-liquid systems. The polyimide hollow fiber has an asymmetric structure characterized by the presence of macrovoids, and the outer diameter of the hollow fiber is 330 μm. It is found that the polyimide hollow-fiber oxygenator can enhance the gas transfer rates of O2 and CO2, and that the hollow fiber provides excellent blood compatibility in vitro and in vivo.