Spallation of silicone was evaluated in an in vitro system, using a commercial blood pump and dialysis tubing. Silicone particle release was assessed at various occlusion forces (5.5-22 kp). When the occlusion force was reduced from 22 to 5.5 kp, the number of released silicone particles decreased by approximately 80 per cent; in parallel, the amount of silicone retrieved from the recirculation fluid decreased from 1.6mg to less than 0.23mg. It is concluded that reduction of occlusion pressure within the blood pump effectively reduces spallation of silicone tubing.
In Vitro Techniques Kidneys, Artificial