Prevention of dew condensation occurring in the oxygenator for extracorporeal life support in vitro model

We propose a new dew condensation water prevention system (DCPS) of the oxygenator for an extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system. The preventive properties were evaluated in vitro experiments. The experimental setup consists of DCPS and ECLS system. The DCPS features a convective air warming system with a square vinyl bag covering the oxygenator. Dew condensation water occurring in the oxygenator was observed and the oxygenator gas inlet pressure was monitored for evaluation. The oxygenator gas inlet pressures were recorded from the beginning of the experiment every one minute for 12 hours. The change in the gas inlet pressures of the oxygenator were evaluated and compared among groups. An effective dew condensation water prevention could be achieved using the DCPS without any adverse effect. This result suggests that, for ECLS management, DCPS may possibly be used in the clinical setting to prevent dew condensation in the oxygenator.