nestekyhäöyrystimet

Nestekyhäöyrystimet, also known as liquid-phase oxygenators, are a type of gas exchanger used in medical applications, particularly in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). They function by facilitating the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and an oxygen-containing gas.

The core principle of a nestekyhäöyrystin involves a large surface area across which these gas exchanges can occur. Blood flows through one compartment, while a gas mixture, typically containing oxygen, flows through another. The separation between the two compartments is a membrane that is permeable to gases but impermeable to blood cells and plasma. This allows for efficient diffusion of oxygen from the gas into the blood and carbon dioxide from the blood into the gas, effectively mimicking the function of the lungs.

These devices are crucial in supporting patients whose lungs are unable to adequately perform gas exchange due to severe respiratory failure. They can be used as a bridge to recovery or to await lung transplantation. The design of nestekyhäöyrystimet aims to minimize blood trauma and anticoagulation requirements while maximizing gas exchange efficiency. Their development has been a significant advancement in critical care medicine, enabling the survival of patients with otherwise unsurvivable respiratory conditions.