ABS 013: Smart Sweep: Automating Sweep Gas Management for ECMO

Briana Bernicker ¹ , Ysabel Gomez ¹ , Gabriella Glomp ¹ , Matthew Bacchetta, MD MBA ² , Rei Ukita, PhD ¹ ²

¹ Department of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University
² Department of Cardiac Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Van Wickle (2025) Volume 1, ABS013

Abstract: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a mechanical cardiopulmonary support technology for patients with severe heart or lung dysfunction. As of January 2025, over 241,000 patients have been placed on ECMO, according to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). ECMO is labor-intensive and requires constant monitoring and manual adjustments, burdening healthcare providers and limiting its accessibility. Current ECMO systems rely on O2 tanks which restrict patient movement and demand manual interventions and regulation of sweep gas. Automating sweep gas control and enhancing portability would reduce the demands on staff, promote patient mobility, and extend the application of ECMO to outpatient settings. Our solution is a novel, automated ECMO system that enhances portability and automates sweep gas adjustments, ultimately expanding access to care and improving the quality of life for ECMO patients. Our design improves patient mobility by using an oxygen concentrator instead of O2 tanks, allowing ECMO to be used in outpatient settings. Unlike O2 tanks that need refilling, the concentrator provides unlimited portable oxygen with just a recharge. To automate sweep gas flow, we have designed a real-time sweep gas controller to maintain blood PCO2 levels in the physiological range (30mmHg- 45mmHg). The design incorporates an automated button presser with two servo motors housed inside a 3D-printed PLA cube positioned above the buttons that control sweep gas flow from the oxygen concentrator. The Arduino receives continuous, real-time capnography metrics from the patient and commands the servo motors to raise or lower rectangular projections (arms) on the face of the PLA cube to increase or decrease sweep gas flow. The initial prototype with the servo motors, capnography sensor, and a 3D-printed enclosure has been assembled. Initial benchtop testing has begun to evaluate system accuracy and responsiveness, informing iterative improvements to enhance durability, precision, and functionality.