A new bubble oxygenator (OCVC oxygenator): development and clinical application.

A new bubble oxygenator, designed for simple operation and clinical efficacy in intracardiac surgery, has been developed and clinically evaluated. This device is characterized by an oxygenating chamber with controllable blood-volume, integral heat exchanger and two-stage microfilter of gravity drainage system, an apparatus for creating and uniformly distributing oxygen bubbles, and construction materials of the device known to be minimally traumatic to the blood. Clinical experience in 132 infantile and pediatric open heart procedures has demonstrated its effectiveness as measured by embolic complications and simplicity in maintaining physiologic blood gas levels.