Characterization of an oxygen suspension used for intravenous infusion

Abstract

Oxygenated fluid mixture can be used to treat critically ill patients suffering from asphyxia, lung injury, and cardiac arrest. This oxygenated fluid delivered intravenously re-oxygenates the bloodstream, allowing for more time to resuscitate a patient before they suffer brain and/or organ damage. The concentration of the mixture is crucial for treatment as it affects the viscosity of the fluid, which in turn affects how well the fluid mixes with blood and how long it takes for oxygen to diffuse out of it. Evaluating the quality of fluid delivered and characterizing oxygenated fluid mixture at different concentrations was paramount. Since the fluid is a non-Newtonian emulsion, delivering a specific flow rate is challenging due to the following effects: degradation, compressibility, and shear thinning. Therefore, a testing machine was developed to aid in understanding the fluid dynamic behavior of the oxygenated mixture. The quality of the fluid can be assessed through measurement of the volume percentage, particle size distribution, oxygen tension, and rheometry. The data collected from the experiments will serve to create a model for delivering a specific volumetric flow rate of the fluid at atmospheric pressure.