Physiological Blood Oxygenation and Pumping during Extracorporeal Circulation with a Single, Integrated Device

INTRODUCTION In clinical practice, extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is normally performed with non-pulsatile flow by means of centrifugal or roller pumps, which makes it rather non-physiological for patients [1-3]. Currently used circuits are quite voluminous, characterized by large priming volumes and by extended blood contact with foreign surfaces. We have previously proposed an innovative ECC device, the Pumping Oxygenator (PO) [4], a single, compact device where pulsatile blood pumping and membrane oxygenation are functionally integrated. Its design has been carried out in the perspective of gathering the advantages of physiologic hemodynamics with the benefits of integration and compactness, i.e. reduced blood trauma and low intrinsic and extrinsic priming volumes. Prototypes of the new device have been subjected to experimental evaluation both in terms of oxygenation and of pulsatile pumping.