Blood oxygenator

Abstract

A blood oxygenator includes an elongated hollow housing having an elongated chamber therein, an elongated fiber assembly disposed within the chamber along an axis thereof and including a bundle of hollow fibers of a microporous membrane. The opposite ends of the fiber bundle are sealingly secured to the inner peripheral surface of the housing by a potting material. Gas inlet and outlet members are connected respectively to the opposite ends of the housing and communicate respectively with the opposite ends of the hollow fibers. Blood inlet and outlet are formed on the housing and communicate with the chamber intermediate the opposite ends of the hollow fibers. The fiber assembly includes a plurality of layers of spirally-wound fiber bundles arranged one upon another. Each turn of one of each adjacent spirally-wound bundles is disposed in a plane intersecting the plane in which each turn of the other fiber bundle is disposed. The outer periphery of the outermost layer of the spirally-wound bundle is held in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing.