초록 ▼

The integrity of a microporous membrane within a mass transfer device such as an oxygenator is tested simultaneously with applying a biocompatible surfactant to at least the blood-contact surface of the membrane. The membrane integrity test contacts both sides of the microporous membrane with a cond

The integrity of a microporous membrane within a mass transfer device such as an oxygenator is tested simultaneously with applying a biocompatible surfactant to at least the blood-contact surface of the membrane. The membrane integrity test contacts both sides of the microporous membrane with a conductive fluid to establish an electrical circuit. An electrical signal is then applied to the circuit and a measurement is taken of the test voltage across an impedance in the circuit. The value of the test voltage is used to determine the conductivity and thus the integrity of the membrane. The biocompatible surfactant is mixed with the conductive fluid used in the electrical integrity test and has an affinity for the microporous membrane material so that a durable biocompatible coating is applied to at least a portion of the microporous membrane. The biocompatible surfactant additionally reduces the drying time of the microporous membrane following the integrity test, and the surfactant may be applied to both sides of the membrane to further reduce the drying time.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A method of testing the integrity of a microporous membrane within a mass transfer device while applying a surfactant coating to the microporous membrane, said microporous membrane fixed within the mass transfer device to define a first compartment in fluid communic

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A method of testing the integrity of a microporous membrane within a mass transfer device while applying a surfactant coating to the microporous membrane, said microporous membrane fixed within the mass transfer device to define a first compartment in fluid communication with a first surface of the microporous membrane and a second compartment in fluid communication with a second surface of the microporous membrane, the microporous membrane including pores extending between the first and second surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:mixing a first electrically conductive fluid with a predetermined amount of a surfactant to form a first mixture, said surfactant having an affinity for attaching to the microporous membrane;filling the first compartment with the first mixture;filling the second compartment with a second electrically conductive fluid;forming an electrical circuit which includes an impedance, the microporous membrane, the first mixture and the second electrically conductive fluid;applying a predetermined signal to the electrical circuit;measuring a test voltage across the impedance;selecting the predetermined amount of surfactant in the first mixture to prevent the first mixture from substantially wetting the pores of a non-defective microporous membrane before measuring the test voltage across the impedance;comparing the measured test voltage to a predetermined threshold value;determining the microporous membrane to be defective if the measured test voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold value and determining the microporous membrane to be non-defective if the measured test voltage does not exceed the predetermined threshold value;draining the first mixture and the second electrically conductive fluid from the respective first and second compartments while maintaining surfactant from the first mixture deposited as a coating on the first surface of the microporous membrane; andair drying the microporous membrane for a predetermined drying time sufficient to eliminate residual first and second fluids from the microporous membrane after draining, wherein said surfactant reduces the surface tension between the microporous membrane and residual first fluid to establish the predetermined drying time for air drying the microporous membrane as less than the air drying time of the microporous membrane in the absence of the surfactant.