Research program: Multi-parametric model for estimation of arterial CO2 tension via oxygenator exhaust capnometry in extracorporeal lung support devices

Capnometry is the measurement of carbon dioxide concentration in respiratory gases. Even if the traditional use of capnometry is related to respiratory monitoring field, the use of this measurement in extracorporeal blood circulation devices for cardiopulmonary bypass has been proved.
In particular, a capnometer can be placed in the exhaust port of an extracorporeal oxygenator (“oxygenator exhaust capnometry”) in order to monitor the carbon dioxide (CO2) removed from the patient.
Oxygenator exhaust capnometry could represent a useful tool for Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal (ECCO2R) devices and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) procedures, providing data relevant to CO2 removal rate and allowing the operator to set the optimal treatment parameters (e.g blood flow and sweep gas flow) as well as monitoring the progress of the therapy.
Aim of the project is the development of a capnometer specifically designed for application in extra-corporeal blood circulation procedures, as well as the development of a multi-parametric mathematical model that takes into account the sensor data, the extarcorporeal circulation, the patient’s metabolism and respiratory system, for providing a reliable and real-time estimation of the carbon dioxide partial pressure in the arterial blood (PaCO2).

Three year research program, Nov. 2017 – Nov. 2020.

Researcher: Michele Bellancini, 33° Cycle student, Ph.D. Program Biomedical, Electrical and System Engineering (IBES), Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering (DEI) of the University of Bologna, Italy