Gas-exchange membrane for an artificial lung

摘要

In a membrane type artificial lung using as gas-exchange membranes porous hydrophobic membranes having a wall thickness in the range of 5 to 80 mu m, a porosity in the range of 20 to 80%, and a pore diameter in the range of 0.01 to 5 mu m, the minute pores of the membranes are blocked with minute particles of silica having a diameter smaller than the pore diameter and having a hydrophobic surface at least on the sides thereof intended for exposure to blood. Optionally, the gas-exchange membranes have the surfaces for exposure to blood coated with a biocompatible hydrophobic resin.