Method for forming hollow fibers

Abstract

A thin walled microtube is formed by providing a continuous elongated member (32) having an outer surface. The member (32) is at least partially formed of a water soluble material. A coating material (75) is provided. The coating material (75) may be a silicone compound that is curable such that the coating material cures into a substantial non-porous silicone. The outer surface of the elongated member (32) is coated with a coating material (75) so as to form a substantially uniform and continuous layer of coating material on the outer surface. The layer of coating material is cured so as to form a substantial uniform and continuous layer of substantially non-porous silicone on the outer surface. The elongated member (32) is partially dissolved using water and purged from the silicone layer, such that an elongated tube of substantially non-porous silicone is formed.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 373,393, filed April 18, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [0003] A statement about federally sponsored research or development [0004] This invention was made with Government support in part under SBIR Grant No. R43-HL68375-01 awarded by the Public Health Service (PHS). The government may have certain rights in this invention. technical field [0005] The present invention generally relates to a method for forming hollow fibers. Background technique [0006] Artificial gas exchange of biological fluids is widely practiced in clinical settings as well as in laboratories conducting research. In clinical settings, blood oxygenators are used during extracorporeal life support (ECLS), often to replace or assist the lungs during c...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0014] Yet another possible problem with microporous membrane hollow fiber oxygenators is that if the gas side pressure becomes higher than the blood side pressure, air can easily pass through the micropores into the blood

Therefore for a type with 2.5m 2 The cost of the individual silicone fibers required for the surface area device can cost as much as $750

[0020] Second, it is also more difficult to make oxygenators from silicone fibers than from microporous membrane hollow fibers because silicone is elastic and brittle

Winding fiber bundles becomes more complex and therefore slower

Also, encapsulation of fiber bundles is not easy because elastic silicone fibers tend to deform when the fiber bundles are subjected to high forces during centrifugation

Making silicone fiber oxygenators is not impossible, but difficult, and therefore prohibitively expensive

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