MiniHLM – Novel heart-lung machine reduces postoperative risk

Surgical operations for cardiac or vascular anomalies

often require the use of heart-lung machines (HLM). These ensure continued blood circulation and oxygenation in an external circuit. Due to the large foreign surface contact area and the necessary addition of foreign blood, this procedure is associated with numerous risks for the patient, such as severe inflammatory reactions. These dangers render the use of HLMs on children, in particular premature or newborn infants with low birth weight, rather difficult or even impossible. MiniHLM is the first apparatus of its kind to allow cardiac surgery on children with a minimum of risk, since the foreign surface is reduced. This breakthrough has been achieved by physicians and engineers at RWTH Aachen by means of an innovative, compact design of the heartlung machine. A new design approach integrates all the essential components, such as the oxygenator, heat exchanger, cardiotomy reservoir and pump, making connecting hoses between the individual components unnecessary.

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Dipl.-Ing. Alfred Schillert