Modular extracorporeal ambulatory lung assist device

Abstract

A system for lung assist includes a plurality of fiber bundle sections. Each of the fiber bundle sections includes a fiber bundle housing defining a fiber bundle compartment therein and a fiber bundle positioned within the fiber bundle compartment. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers configured to permit diffusion of gas between blood and an interior of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers is positioned such that blood flows around the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers when flowing through the fiber bundle compartment. Each fiber bundle is different in at least one property from each other fiber bundle. The fiber bundle housing further includes a gas inlet in fluid connection with the fiber bundle housing and in fluid connection with inlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, a gas outlet in fluid connection with the housing and in fluid connection with outlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, and a blood outlet in fluid connection with a first end of the fiber bundle. The fiber bundle housing also includes a first interface. The system further includes a base section including a housing including a pressurizing compartment, a pressurizing mechanism within the pressurizing compartment, a blood inlet in fluid connection with the pressurizing compartment and a conduit in fluid connection with the pressurizing compartment at a first end thereof via which pressurized fluid exits the pressurizing compartment. The base further includes a second interface adapted to form a releasable, sealing connection with the first interface of one of the plurality of fiber bundle sections. A second end of the conduit is placed in fluid connection with a second end of the fiber bundle when the fiber bundle section is connected to the base section via the first interface and the second interface.