Cross-flow type membrane oxygenator

Hollow-fiber (capillary)-type membrane oxygenators are the most widely used today, and comprise two main types (i) those where blood flow occurs inside the capillaries and (ii) those where there is a cross-flow of blood outside the capillaries. Although in the first type the blood flow is always laminar, the second type has been used more extensively in recent times, as the mass transfer coefficients are higher due to blood turbulence outside capillaries and hence the membrane area can be smaller. Figure 15.3 shows an example of the cross-flow type membrane oxygenator, with a built-in heat exchanger for controlling the blood temperature. 

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