The word "oxygenators" is spelled with the phonetic transcription /ˈɑksɪdʒəneɪtərz/. This word is used to describe a device or agent that adds oxygen to a liquid, typically blood, during medical procedures. The phonetic transcription breaks down the pronunciation of the individual sounds, with a stressed syllable on "gen" and a slightly de-emphasized "oxy" sound. This spelling can be helpful for those learning English as a second language, or for people with reading or hearing impairments.
Oxygenators are medical devices designed to facilitate the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen in the blood during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. These procedures involve temporarily bypassing the heart and lungs to perform surgeries on the heart or major blood vessels. Oxygenators are an integral component of the heart-lung machines used in these procedures.
The main purpose of an oxygenator is to replace the normal gas exchange function of the lungs, ensuring that oxygen is delivered to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide is eliminated. Oxygenators feature a gas diffusion membrane that allows the transfer of gases between the patient's blood and the gas mixture delivered by the heart-lung machine. The blood flows through the oxygenator, while oxygen and other gases flow on the other side of the membrane, thus allowing for efficient oxygenation.
Oxygenator devices vary in design, but commonly consist of a hollow fiber bundle, where the blood is circulated, and a gas chamber, where the oxygen and other gases are introduced. Within the oxygenator, the blood is exposed to a large surface area, maximizing the gas exchange process.
Oxygenators are vital for maintaining the patient's oxygen levels and ensuring blood gas balance during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. They play a critical role in supporting the patient's circulatory system while the heart and lungs are temporarily not functioning properly.
In summary, oxygenators are medical devices that enable efficient oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, contributing to the overall success and safety of these surgeries.
The word "oxygenators" is derived from the noun "oxygenator" which is formed by adding the suffix "-ator" to the word "oxygen". The noun "oxygen" originates from the French word "oxygène" coined by French chemist Antoine Lavoisier in 1777. Lavoisier derived the term by combining the Greek words "oxys" meaning "acid" or "sharp", and "gennan" meaning "to give birth to" or "to create". Lavoisier named this gas "oxygen" because, at the time, it was believed to be a crucial component of all acids. The suffix "-ator" is a Latin suffix used to form agent nouns, indicating a person or thing that performs or produces a particular action. Therefore, when combined, "oxygenator" refers to something or someone that generates or produces oxygen.