Extracorporeal ambulator assist lung

A method for extracorporeal lung assist comprising:

• providing a generally cylindrical fiber bundle comprising a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers within a housing, the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers being adapted to permit diffusion of gas between blood and an interior of the hollow gas permeable fibers, the generally cylindrical fiber bundle being positioned between a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet such that blood flows around the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers when flowing from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet, the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers extending generally perpendicular to the direction of bulk flow of blood through the housing;
• flowing a sweep gas including oxygen through the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers;
• and
• moving at least one moveable element positioned external to the generally cylindrical fiber bundle which is axially spaced from and directly adjacent a surface of the generally cylindrical fiber bundle via which blood enters the generally cylindrical fiber bundle, movement of the at least one moveable element creating velocity fields in blood flow contacting the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers.

A extracorporeal system for lung assist comprising:

• a housing,
• a blood flow inlet in fluid connection with the housing;
• a blood flow outlet in fluid connection with the housing;
• a generally cylindrical fiber bundle comprising a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers adapted to permit diffusion of gas between blood and an interior of the hollow gas permeable fibers, the generally cylindrical fiber bundle being positioned between the blood flow inlet and the blood flow outlet such that blood flows around the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers when flowing from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet;
• a gas inlet in fluid connection with the housing and in fluid connection with inlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers;
• a gas outlet in fluid connection with the housing and in fluid connection with outlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers;
• at least one moveable element positioned external to the generally cylindrical fiber bundle which is axially spaced from and directly adjacent a surface of the generally cylindrical fiber bundle via which blood enters the generally cylindrical fiber bundle, movement of the at least one moveable element creating velocity fields in blood flow contacting the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers;
• a first pivot bearing on a first side of the at least one moveable element;
• and
• a second pivot bearing on a second side of the at least one moveable element.