Systems and methods for removing gaseous micro emboli from blood

A method of processing blood to remove gaseous micro emboli, comprising:

• providing a module having microporous hollow fibers with inside passages fluidly coupled to a port;
• applying a sub-atmospheric pressure through the port to the inside passages of the microporous hollow fibers;
• directing blood flow around outside surfaces of the microporous hollow fibers from a blood inlet to a blood outlet of the module such that gaseous micro emboli are drawn from the blood through the microporous hollow fibers;
• and
• delivering the processed blood to an oxygenator that receives oxygenation gases at atmospheric pressure.

A method of treating blood in an extracorporeal circulation system, comprising:

• receiving venous blood at an inlet of a blood processing module;
• flowing the venous blood around outer surfaces of microporous hollow fibers contained within the module;
• applying a vacuum through a port of the module to internal passages of the microporous hollow fibers to extract gaseous micro emboli from the venous blood;
• outputting the processed venous blood through an outlet of the module;
• and
• delivering the processed venous blood to an oxygenator.