Stainless steel reinforced composite silicone membrane and its integration into microfluidic oxygenators for high performance gas exchange

© 17CBMS-0001. We present a novel composite membrane, made of ultra-thin stainless-steel mesh embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), designed specifically for a microfluidic blood oxygenator (MBO) unit. In contrast to homogeneous PDMS membranes which deform under pressure and lead to poor oxygenation, this composite membrane demonstrates higher stiffness, lower deformation, and more efficient gas exchange. We demonstrate the superior performance of this membrane, by constructing a multi-unit lung assist device (LAD) for neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).