Apparatus for blood oxygenation
An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation are provided. The apparatus advantageously comprises a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly. The liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly includes a pressurizable chamber having inlets for a first gas-supersaturated fluid and a second fluid, such as blood. The inlets are advantageously positioned on the mixing chamber in such a way that the first fluid and the second fluid enter the mixing chamber normally to each other to promote mixing and liquid-to-liquid gas transfer. The mixed fluid exits the chamber via an outlet for delivery to a patient.
1. A device for enriching a liquid with a gas comprising:
a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a substantially cylindrical wall and wherein the first inlet is arranged to direct a first fluid along a path substantially tangential to the cylindrical wall;
a pump adapted to deliver the first fluid to the mixing chamber via the first inlet; and
a gas-supersaturated fluid supply assembly adapted to deliver a second fluid having a liquid phase supersaturated with a gas to the mixing chamber via the second inlet to mix with the first fluid and form a mixed fluid, wherein the mixed fluid exits the mixing chamber through the outlet.
2. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the gas-supersaturated fluid supply assembly is adapted to deliver a second fluid having a liquid phase supersaturated with a gas and a gas phase to the mixing chamber via the second inlet to mix with the first fluid and form a mixed fluid.
3. The device, as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the gas phase of the second fluid comprises oxygen.
4. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the gas is oxygen.
5. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the liquid phase of the second fluid comprises physiologic saline.
6. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises blood.
7. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the gas is dissolved in the mixed fluid in greater levels than in the first fluid.
8. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mixed fluid comprises hyperoxic blood.
9. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mixed fluid comprises hyperbaric blood.
10. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first inlet is arranged to create a cyclonic flow in the mixing chamber.
11. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second inlet is arranged so that the second fluid enters the chamber in a generally upward direction.
12. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second inlet is arranged so that the second fluid enters the chamber in a direction normal to the initial direction of travel of the first fluid entering the chamber.
13. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber is pressurizable.
14. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a control assembly coupled to the pump.
15. The device, as set forth in claim 14 , comprising a display coupled to the control assembly.
16. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the pump receives the first fluid from a fluid supply.
17. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the pump receives the first fluid from a patient.
18. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a fluid delivery apparatus adapted to deliver the mixed fluid to a destination site.
19. The device, as set forth in claim 18 , wherein the destination site comprises a patient.
20. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a tube coupling the pump to mixing chamber, the tube adapted to deliver the first fluid.
21. The device, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a capillary assembly coupling the gas-supersaturated fluid supply to the mixing chamber.
22. The device, as set forth in claim 21 , wherein the capillary assembly comprises a single capillary.
23. The device, as set forth in claim 21 , wherein the capillary assembly comprises a plurality of capillaries.
24. A device for mixing blood and a fluid including a dissolved gas comprising:
a mixer having an internal mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, the first inlet being arranged to create a vortical flow within the mixing chamber, wherein the second inlet is arranged to direct the second fluid in a direction normal to the initial direction of travel of the first fluid entering the chamber.
25. A mixing device comprising:
a mixer having an internal mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet;
a pump adapted to deliver a first fluid to the mixing chamber of the mixer via the first inlet; and
a gas-supersaturated fluid supply assembly adapted to deliver a second fluid having a liquid phase supersaturated with a gas to the mixing chamber of the mixer via the second inlet to mix with the first fluid and form a mixed fluid, wherein the first inlet is arranged to create a cyclonic flow in the mixing chamber.