MULTIPLE BLOOD PATH MEMBRANE OXYGENATOR

摘要

A membrane oxygenator 10 designed to provide blood flow evenly across a gas permeable membrane 32 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gas permeable membrane 32. In particular, the present invention is directed to a membrane oxygenator 10 wherein the blood is distributed substantially evenly and at a substantially constant velocity, in a cross-wise direction across the gas permeable membrane 32. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the membrane is a bundle of gas permeable hollow fiber 32 with the blood being distributed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the individual hollow fiber membranes 32.