Heat exchanger-incorporated hollow fiber type artifical lung

Abstract

A heat exchanger-incorporated hollow fiber type artificial lung comprises an artificial lung part composed of a first housing, a bundle of multiple gas-exchange hollow fiber membranes enclosed with the first housing, partitions formed at the opposite ends of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, and a blood passage and an oxygen chamber both defined by the first housing, the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, and the partitions. A heat exchanger part is composed of a second housing, a plurality of tubes enclosed with the second housing, partitions formed at the opposite ends of the tubes, and a blood passage and a heat exchange chamber both defined by the second housing, the tubes and the partitions. The artificial lung part and the heat exchanger part are connected to each other by having their respective first and second housings coaxially joined so as to give rise to a blood chamber between the opposed partitions of first and second housings. The connection between the artificial lung part and the heat exchanger part is accomplished by forming connecting ends one each at the opposed sides of the two housings, joining the connecting ends across an annular spacer by virtue of a connecting ring fitted across the outer surfaces of the connecting ends and, through at least two holes bored in the connecting ring so as to communicate with the vacant part defined by the connecting ring, the opposed partitions, and the annular ring. An adhesive agent is then injected through the holes so as to fill up the interior of the vacant part.