How to prevent embolism in medical devices

 
Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an important technique in the intensive care treatment of critically ill patients. Since blood is pumped from the body through an "artificial lung" and back into the body, air embolisms caused by air bubbles are a major risk when using this technique. We explain why stable air bubbles are trapped on surfaces and what influence the wetting properties of the surface have on this. Using the example of a membrane oxygenator from Hemovent, we show how the choice of a suitable coating can prevent air bubbles from adhering to surfaces during the deaeration process. Dynamic contact angle measurements (optical and tensiometric methods) were used to examine the critical components with regard to their wetting properties in order to find the optimal coating. A simplified measurement procedure allows to check the quality of the coatings in the course of in-process quality control.