Comparison of the performance characteristics of three generations of membrane oxygenators: Univox®, Univox® Gold™ and SpiralGold™:

With continuous enhancement in oxygenator design, the question is raised as to how these changes actually impact the performance of the oxygenator. The recent addition of two new oxygenators by the Bentley Division of Baxter Healthcare Corporation provided us with a unique opportunity to compare the performance of each device and isolate the impact of each design change on performance. While the basic design and flow patterns have remained the same, application of the Duraflo® II treatment has produced the Univox® Gold™ and a change in the fibre-winding technique has produced the SpiralGold™. This study compared the effects of heparin coating (Univox® to Univox® Gold™) and fibre-winding (Univox® Gold™ to SpiralGold™) on gas and heat transfer and resistance to blood flow (pressure drop). Six oxygenators of each model were evaluated utilizing an in vitro single pass circuit, which first conditioned bovine blood to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) venous standards. Blood ...