摘要 |
There is provided a mass exchange apparatus for use in blood/air mass exchange comprising plural blood flow conduits for defining blood flow; and plural air flow conduits for defining air flow. The plural air flow conduits and the plural blood flow conduits at least partially comprise gas-permeate membrane material, and the conduits are arranged relative to each other such as to enable transfer of oxygen from the air to the blood and transfer of carbon dioxide from the blood to the air. The blood and air do not directly come into contact (i.e. the mass exchange is indirect). There is also provided a prosthetic lung comprising an elastic bellows and the at least one mass exchange apparatus herein. There is further provided an external respiratory aid to augment patient lung function comprising the at least one mass exchange apparatus herein and means to pump air and blood through the apparatus. There is further provided an intermediate respiratory aid apparatus for internal connection to a patient comprising at least one mass exchange apparatus herein and an air pump. |