Integrated Blood Pump--Oxygenator for Neonatal Use

We will develop an integrated blood pump-membrane oxygenator/heat exchanger suitable for cardiopulmbypass in patients < 5 kg body weight. This device will feature Nimbus' new pediatric/neonatal centrsystem. Effective blood oxygenation and heat transfer will be accomplished via a microporous hollowcontaining an integral heat exchanger. The current prototype integrated unit has 0.5M2 membrane surfpriming volume of only 85 ml; approximately one-half the priming volume of separate blood pump, oxyginterconnecting tubing found in conventional infant bypass systems. Other virtues of the Nimbus packsize and portability, allowing for placement adjacent to the patient. Phase I will demonstrate theinnovative concept. The aims of this program are to design and fabricate six prototype units and tovivo trials to evaluate system performance and suitability of this concept for neonatal cardiopulmonwe believe that the new Nimbus product would gain wide acceptance by pediatric perfusionists both inoverseas.