| abstract |
Tubular bundles (70) are potted in a housing (12). Spacer material (80a) is placed into the housing (12) to cover the first ends of the tubular bundles (70). A layer of potting material (82a) is placed into the housing (12) covering the spacer material (80a) and then solidified in place to seal between each of the tubular bundles (70) and the housing (12). The spacer material (80a) is then removed from the housing (12) to expose the first ends of the tubular bundles (70). In the housing (12), at least some of the tubes (70) are gas exchange tubes (44) having an interior lumen and a tube wall which is permeable for oxygen and carbon dioxide flow. Blood flows over the exterior surfaces of the gas exchange tubes (44). Other tubes (70) may be heat transfer tubes (52), such as for carrying a heat transfer fluid to control the temperature of the blood. |