Oxygen transfer efficiency of three microporous polypropylene membrane oxygenators

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the oxygen transfer efficiency of three different membrane oxygenators, each utilizing microporous polypropylene as its gas transfer material. Gross oxygen transfer was compared for each membrane with their performance when differences in surface area were taken into account. It was found that when hollow fibres were used, with blood flow around the fibres, efficiency was maximized. Our study technique offers an additional objective approach in the evaluation of oxygen transfer for membrane oxygenators.