Silicone Rubber Imitates the Natural Gas Exchange Process in
the Human Lung
Medtronic’s ECMO Oxygenators and Surgical Membrane Oxygenators
feature a silicone membrane with unique gas transfer properties.
Around the world, clinicians choose silicone membrane oxygenators
for life-saving procedures.
Typical hollow fiber membrane
Most hollow fiber membrane oxygenators consist of microporous
material. Gas exchange takes place by bulk gas transfer via a direct
gas to blood interface.
Typical hollow fiber
design with a direct gas to blood interface through an open
pore.
Medtronic silicone membrane
Medtronic solid silicone membrane oxygenators consist of a flat,
reinforced silicone membrane envelope that is wound in a spiral
coil around a polycarbonate spool. The silicone membrane acts as
a highly gas-permeable barrier separating blood and gas compartments.
There is no direct blood/gas interface. Gas transfer occurs by
molecular diffusion as it does in the human lung. The unique properties
of the non-microporous silicone membrane include:
- Physiologically inert
- Thromboresistant
- Non-toxic/Biocompatible
- Electrochemically identical to the normal capillary
- Effective gas transfer characteristics
Gas exchange by diffusion
through a semi-permeable membrane.
|
Biocompatible
silicone polymer membrane 
I-Series Oxygenator Holders
