Monday, June 29, 2015

The Range And Functions Of Oxygen Membrane

By Ruthie Calderon


Every operation carries risk and can be a life or death situation for the patient. Lots of different equipment exists to ensure operations are very successful, one of which is an oxygen membrane. These ensure oxygen gets into the patient's blood and remove carbon dioxide while his or lungs are not functioning. This makes it possible for most patients to live long and enjoy what life has to offer. The device, because of the way and manner it functions, is very good for human beings and this article seeks to throw more light on some its history, functions and advantages.

This device first imitates breathing, as in how a lung functions during a cardiopulmonary bypass. It then puts more oxygen into the patient which is, of course, vital to life. This stage is also named extracoporeal membrance oxygenation.

Oxygen membranes contain a thin, penetrable layer which gas and blood go through separately. This colourless, odourless reactive gas is dispelled in a circuit and enters the blood. In the meantime the blood expels carbon dioxide.

The first artificial lung came about in the mid 1880s. This was a rotating disk oxygenator and blood was exposed to oxygen in the air. But this could risk blood clotting and foaming. When this happens, it cannot be put back into the sick as he or she will perish.

Research continued for many years which included animal testing. The premium new design in 1953 was used for a successful pulmonary bypass. Here a thin film of blood was allowed to access this gas as it passed through steel layers.

The disposable bubble oxygenator was the most popular in most hospitals from the 50s to the 80s. There was an invention for the disposable type because non-disposables were very difficult to clean. Often times, the demand for it was so high that the medical staff tediously had to thoroughly clean it good and fast for the next user. Over the years, membrane oxygenators replaced the bubble oxygenator in popularity.

As time progressed, membrane oxygenators grew to be the most often used, particularly in the USA. These can oxygenate the same number of liters of blood as bubble oxygenators. However, they need less volume of blood to work properly, so patients suffer less trauma. They work most like actual lungs.

Originally these devices were made from polyethylene or Teflon, which are not penetrable. So enhancements were made and silicone rubber membranes were used as an alternative, which are very absorbent. This proved to show a major gain in patients' blood quality.

These days in quick cardiopulmonary operations, porous hollow fiber members are used. While in operations of a longer duration, membranes without pores tend to be used. The use of pores or not affects how long the blood is exposed to oxygen. This must be controlled so the body functions normally after the operation.

Research is still ongoing into whether bubble oxygenators are better than membrane oxygenators, particularly in adult patients. They cost about the same due to advances in technology. In the developed world, membrane oxygenators continue to be used for cardiopulmonary bypass operations.




About the Author:



No comments: