Polymeric hollow fiber membrane oxygenators as artificial lungs: A review

The oxygenator is one of the most important components of respiratory support devices, which began as a heart-lung machine for the treatment of heart diseases. Hollow fiber membranes have been widely used in oxygenators due to their outstanding performance in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange with the blood. In this review, general information on the oxygenator historical evolutions is summarized. Then, the advantages and usage of hollow fiber membranes as oxygenators are explained. Modification strategies to prevent platelet adhesion, plasma leakage have been summarized. There has been some information given on design parameters for hollow fiber membrane oxygenators. In recent years, the rapid development of microchannel structures in oxygenators has been summarized. It is thought that this review will help the reader to find recent studies on the subject.