About the Invention

University of Alberta graduate (1958 BSc) Nora Dietlein has been difficult to track down, but because of the significance of her invention, Inventive Women believes that she should receive recognition in the library.

In 1967, Nora Dietlein was responsible for a medical breakthrough – the first in the world. She invented a membrane that was able to contain blood while allowing the free flow of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out. Others had tried, But Nora's invention was the first truly workable membrane with the desired properties that could be produced in large quantities.

Its effectiveness was demonstrated at a press conference held in London, England. There, British journalists were witness to a remarkable demonstration. A guinea pig was alive and well, fully submerged in water. It's only protection was a transparent membrane that surrounded the wire mesh cage. Through the amazing substance, oxygen and other gasses passed freely, keeping the animal alive.

Nora Dietlein created the membrane while working towards her doctorate at the University of London's Royal Postgraduate Medical School. It was specifically designed for use in an artificial lung. Its function closely mimics the alveolar membrane which separates blood and gasses in the human lung. Before this invention, heart-lung machines allowed direct contact between the patient's blood and air, which meant that the machines could only be used a few hours at a time.

The invention of the membrane made possible the invention of the oxygenator, a machine that could breath for patients for up to 20 days. The oxygenator was also used to transport organs used in transplant procedures. As well, the oxygenator made possible surgery on newborn infants who previously had to wait up to three weeks for their lungs to fully develop after birth. In addition, the membrane was the first artificial skin used to protect the flesh of burn victims.