Closed-loop control of extracorporeal oxygen and carbon dioxide gas transfer

Additional extracorporeal gas transfer facilitates ultra-protective mechanical ventilation during treatment of severe lung disease. The proposed automation contributes to both patient safety and therapeutic success. A decentralized control system set the oxygen and carbon dioxide gas transfer rates. The controlled variables are estimated using standard measurement devices without direct blood contact. To reduce patient stress, an outer-loop integral controller adjusts the extracorporeal blood flow. The control system was first evaluated in silico and then in vivo using an animal model. Finally, the method is shown to be feasible and its response time is sufficient to meet patients' clinical needs.