Silicone Hollow Fiber Research Articles

Organogel electrode based continuous fiber with large-scale production for stretchable triboelectric nanogenerator textiles

Wearable electronics had drawn great attentions in recent years because of their valuable applications in our daily lives. Among them, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) textile was a promising candidate to alleviate electricity supply problem of wearable electronics. However, currently used electrodes in TENG textile are hard to fulfill the requirements of stretchable electronics. Here, organogel conductor was proposed as electrode to construct triboelectric fiber (GS-fiber), owing to its merits of flexibility, stretchability and conductivity. The core/shell structure GS-fiber was prepared from gel’s photo-crosslinking in transparent silicone hollow fiber, in which hollow fiber was the mold for gel electrode and outer friction layer. The flexibility and solid form of organogel electrode avoided the cracking problem of metallic electrode and leakage problem of liquid electrode in TENG textile, which make GS-fiber a stretchable and tailorable fiber. Moreover, the facile preparation process endowed GS-fiber with large-scale production ability and 30-meter GS-fiber was prepared for demonstration. The GS-fiber was then knitted into TENG textile (GS-teng) for bio-mechanical energy harvesting. This work indicated that organogel electrode has great potential in triboelectric fiber, which was a remarkable progress towards TENG textiles’ industrial application. Organogel conductors were proposed as electrode to construct a new kind of triboelectric fibers (GS-fiber), owing to organogel conductors’ unique merits of flexibility, conductivity and stretchability. The core/shell structure GS-fiber was prepared from gel’s photo-crosslinking in transparent silicone hollow fiber, in which hollow fiber was the mold for gel electrode and outer friction layer of GS-fiber. The flexibility and solid form of organogel electrode avoided the cracking problem of metallic electrode and leakage problem of liquid electrode in textile based TENG, which makes GS-fiber a stretchable and tailorable fiber in processing. Moreover, the facile preparation process endowed GS-fiber with large-scale production ability and 30-meter GS-fiber was prepared for demonstration. The GS-fiber was then knitted into TENG textile (GS-teng) for bio-mechanical energy harvesting. This work indicated that organogel electrode has great potential in triboelectric fiber, which was a remarkable progress towards industrial application of TENG textiles. • Organogel conductor was applied as electrode fiber with stretchability and conductivity. • The prepared triboelectric fiber (GS-fiber) was continuous fiber for large-scale production. • GS-fiber was stretchable and tailorable, which was suitable for textile processing. • The electrode avoided cracking or leakage of metallic or liquid electrode’s problems.

Study of blood compatibility and gas exchange performance in oxygenator of silicone hollow fiber

Study of blood compatibility and gas exchange performance in oxygenator of silicone hollow fiber

Flow Preconditioning of Endothelial Cells on Collagen-Immobilized Silicone Fibers Enhances Cell Retention and Antithrombotic Function.

Stability and antithrombotic functionality of endothelial cells on silicone hollow fibers (SiHFs) are critical in the development of biohybrid artificial lungs. Here we aimed to enhance endothelial cell retention and anti-thrombotic function by low (12 dyn/cm2 , 24 h) fluid shear stress ("flow") preconditioning of endothelial cells seeded on collagen-immobilized SiHFs. The response of endothelial cells without preconditioning (48 h static culture) and with preconditioning (24 h static culture followed by 24 h flow preconditioning) on hollow fibers to high fluid shear stress (30 dyn/cm2 , 1 h) was assessed in a parallel-plate flow chamber. Finite element (FE) modeling was used to simulate shear stress within the flow chamber. We found that collagen immobilization on hollow fibers using carbodiimide bonds provided sufficient stability to high shear stress. Flow preconditioning for 24 h before treatment with high shear stress for 1 h on collagen-immobilized hollow fibers increased cell retention (1.3-fold). The FE model showed that cell flattening due to flow preconditioning reduced maximum shear stress on cells by 32%. Flow preconditioning prior to exposure to high fluid shear stress enhanced the production of nitric oxide (1.3-fold) and prostaglandin I2 (1.2-fold). In conclusion, flow preconditioning of endothelial cells on collagen-immobilized SiHFs enhanced cell retention and antithrombotic function, which could significantly improve current biohybrid artificial lungs.

Nanoliposomal Growth Hormone and Sodium Nitrite Release from Silicone Fibers Reduces Thrombus Formation Under Flow.

Biocompatibility of artificial lungs can be improved by endothelialization of hollow fibers. Bioavailability of growth-inducing and anti-thrombotic agents on the hollow fiber-blood interface inhibits thrombosis. We investigated if nanoliposomal growth-inducing growth hormone (nGH) and anti-thrombotic sodium nitrite (nNitrite) incorporation into collagen-coating on silicone hollow fibers improves blood biocompatibility by increasing endothelial cell growth and nitrite bioavailability under flow. Nitrite production rate was assessed under varying flow conditions. Finite element (FE) modeling was used to simulate nitrite transport within the parallel-plate flow chamber, and nitrite bioavailability on the fiber-blood interface at 1-30dyn/cm(2) shear stress. Endothelial cell number on fibers coated with nNitrite-nGH-collagen conjugate was 1.5-fold higher than on collagen-coated fibers. For collagen-coated fibers, nitrite production reached a maximum at 18dyn/cm(2) shear stress. When fibers were coated with nNitrite-nGH-collagen conjugate, nitrite production increased continuously by increasing shear stress. FE modeling revealed that nitrite concentrations at the fiber-blood interface were affected by shear stress-induced nitrite production, and diffusion/convection-induced nitrite removal. Highest nitrite concentrations and lowest thrombus deposition were observed on fibers coated with nNitrite-nGH-collagen conjugate exposed to 6-12dyn/cm(2) shear stress. In conclusion, our results suggest that nNitrite-nGH-Col conjugate coatings promote endothelialization of silicone hollow fibers in biohybrid artificial lungs.

Study of the artificial lung using the compliance of silicone hollow fiber

Study of the artificial lung using the compliance of silicone hollow fiber

Optimization of the Temperature for the Extraction of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater by a Hollow Fiber Silicone Membrane

The influence of temperature on the extraction and selectivity of naproxen, ibuprofen, and triclosan by a thin-walled hollow fiber silicone rubber membrane was investigated. Determination of the diffusion coefficients and flux values at 25, 40, and 60 degrees Celsius was undertaken. The diffusion coefficient and flux were found to increase with temperature. It was also observed that at higher temperatures, mass transfer was influenced by the amount extracted in the acceptor phase. However, diffusion from the bulk donor phase through the hollow fiber silicone rubber membrane was shown to control the transport of analytes at lower temperatures. When applied to wastewater, the hollow fiber silicone rubber showed remarkable selectivity toward the analytes. However, at high temperatures, the amount of matrix components extracted also increased slightly. The amount extracted nearly doubled when extraction was performed at 40 degrees Celsius compared to 25 degrees Celsius, indicating that temperature increased the efficiency of the hollow fiber silicone rubber membrane. The application of the technique to municipal wastewater showed remarkable selectivity and reproducibility. The concentrations of these compounds were from 18.4 (1.37 percent) micrograms per liter for triclosan to 1.1 (0.16 percent) micrograms per liter for naproxen in the influent and 2.7 (0.29 percent) micrograms per liter for triclosan to 0.4 (0.01 percent) micrograms per liter for naproxen in the effluent.

Passive Equilibrium Sampler for in Situ Measurements of Freely Dissolved Concentrations of Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals in Sediments

In this study, an equilibrium passive sampling device is introduced that facilitates the in situ measurement of hydrophobic organic chemicals bioavailability in sediments in terms of freely dissolved concentrations. The new field sampler allows SPME fibers and silicone hollow fibers to be immersed and equilibrated in situ, whereas an automated liner exchanger (ALEX) facilitates the quantitative transfer of analytes to the GC without the use of extraction solvents. The sampler was developed for environmental monitoring as follows: (1) It is of very solid construction and can be reused practically ad infinitum. (2) Fibers with varying surface to volume ratios can be exposed in parallel in order to confirm that equilibrium was reached between sampler and sediment. (3) The equilibrium times allow a temporal resolution that is suited for monitoring of both long-term trends and seasonal effects. The automated thermal desorption reduced sample treatment to a minimum and ensured cost- and time-efficient measurements while minimizing potential error sources after the sampling. The sampler is applicable in a multitude of aquatic environments, especially where currents are low and sediments are muddy and well-mixed, e.g. by bioturbation. Examples for such environments are mud flats, harbor basins, river banks, and lakes.

Fabrication and in vivo thrombogenicity testing of nitric oxide generating artificial lungs

Hollow fiber artificial lungs are increasingly being used for long-term applications. However, clot formation limits their use to 1-2 weeks. This study investigated the effect of nitric oxide generating (NOgen) hollow fibers on artificial lung thrombogenicity. Silicone hollow fibers were fabricated to incorporate 50 nm copper particles as a catalyst for NO generation from the blood. Fibers with and without (control) these particles were incorporated into artificial lungs with a 0.1 m(2) surface area and inserted in circuits coated tip-to-tip with the NOgen material. Circuits (N = 5/each) were attached to rabbits in a pumpless, arterio-venous configuration and run for 4 h at an activated clotting time of 350-400 s. Three control circuits clotted completely, while none of the NOgen circuits failed. Accordingly, blood flows were significantly higher in the NOgen group (95.9 ± 11.7, p < 0.01) compared to the controls (35.2 ± 19.7; mL/min), and resistance was significantly higher in the control group after 4 h (15.38 ± 9.65, p < 0.001) than in NOgen (0.09 ± 0.03; mmHg/mL/min). On the other hand, platelet counts and plasma fibrinogen concentration expressed as percent of baseline in control group (63.7 ± 5.7%, 77.2 ± 5.6%; p < 0.05) were greater than those in the NOgen group (60.4 ± 5.1%, 63.2 ± 3.7%). Plasma copper levels in the NOgen group were 2.8 times baseline at 4 h (132.8 ± 4.5 μg/dL) and unchanged in the controls. This study demonstrates that NO generating gas exchange fibers could be a potentially effective way to control coagulation inside artificial lungs.

Shear‐induced detachment of biofilms from hollow fiber silicone membranes

A suite of techniques was utilized to evaluate the correlation between biofilm physiology, fluid-induced shear stress, and detachment in hollow fiber membrane aerated bioreactors. Two monoculture species biofilms were grown on silicone fibers in a hollow fiber membrane aerated bioreactors (HfMBR) to assess detachment under laminar fluid flow conditions. Both physiology (biofilm thickness and roughness) and nutrient mass transport data indicated the presence of a steady state mature biofilm after 3 weeks of development. Surface shear stress proved to be an important parameter for predicting passive detachment for the two biofilms. The average shear stress at the surface of Nitrosomonas europaea biofilms (54.5 ± 3.2 mPa) was approximately 20% higher than for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms (45.8 ± 7.7 mPa), resulting in higher biomass detachment. No significant difference in shear stress was measured between immature and mature biofilms of the same species. There was a significant difference in detached biomass for immature vs. mature biofilms in both species. However, there was no difference in detachment rate between the two species.

Performance of a MedArray Silicone Hollow Fiber Oxygenator

A silicone hollow fiber oxygenator was evaluated to characterize gas transfer and biocompatibility. The device's fiber bundle was composed of MedArray's silicone hollow fibers with a 320 microm outside diameter, a 50 microm wall thickness, a surface area of 0.45 m, and a 0.49 void fraction. An in vitro gas exchange study was performed comparing the MedArray device (n = 9) with the Medtronic 0600 oxygenator (n = 6) using Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation standards and blood flow rates of 0.5-1.75 L/min, and an oxygen to blood flow ratio of two. Biocompatibility and resistance studies were performed in vivo using a swine venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation model (MedArray n = 5, Medtronic n = 5). Average O(2) transfer at 1 L/min was 86 ml/min/m in the MedArray device and 101.1 ml/min/m in the Medtronic device. At 0.5 L/min the MedArray and Medtronic device average resistance was 15.5 and 148.5 mm Hg/(L/min), respectively. Both devices had similar platelet consumption and hemolysis. Results indicate that the MedArray device has lower O(2) transfer efficiency, similar biocompatibility, and lower resistance than the Medtronic 0600 oxygenator. Optimization of the MedArray fiber bundle and housing design is necessary to improve O(2) transfer efficiency while maintaining lower device resistance than the Medtronic oxygenator.

Automation of solid-phase microextraction on a 96-well plate format

Studies have been performed assessing the feasibility and characterizing the automation of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) on a multi-well plate format. Four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene and fluoranthene, were chosen as test analytes to demonstrate the technique due to their favorable partition coefficients, K fw, between polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) extraction phases and water. Four different PDMS configurations were investigated regarding their suitability. These included (i) a PDMS membrane; (ii) a multi-fiber device containing lengths of PDMS-coated flexible wire; (iii) a stainless steel pin covered with silicone hollow fiber membrane and (iv) commercial PDMS-coated flexible metal fiber assemblies. Of these configurations, the stainless steel pin covered with silicone tubing was chosen as a robust alternative. An array of 96 SPME devices that can be placed simultaneously into a 96-well plate was constructed to demonstrate the high-throughput potential when performing multiple microextractions in parallel. Different agitation methods were assessed including magnetic stirring, sonication, and orbital shaking at different speeds. Orbital shaking whilst holding the SPME device in a stationary position provided the optimum agitation conditions for liquid SPME. Once the analytes had been extracted, desorption of the analytes into an appropriate solvent was investigated. Liquid-phase SPME and solvent desorption on the multi-well plate format is shown to be a viable alternative for automated high-throughput SPME analysis compatible with both gas- and liquid-chromatography platforms.

A comparative study between thermophilic and mesophilic membrane aerated biofilm reactors

The concept of thermophilic membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) was investigated for the first time and examined for its potential to treat a high strength synthetic wastewater. Biofilms at 55 °C were successfully grown on gas permeable silicone hollow fiber membranes. At a feed chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 1200 mg/L and a reaction time of 1 d, COD removal efficiency (90%) of the thermophilic MABR (55 °C) was much higher than that (67%) of the mesophilic MABR operated at 18–28 °C. Biofilms in the thermophilic reactor were less thick, more hydrophobic, and less negatively charged. This study indicated that MABRs operated at thermophilic temperatures could be an effective means for controlling biofilm thickness and for the treatment of warm high strength organic waste.Key words: membrane aerated biofilm reactor, thermophilic biofilm, mesophilic biofilm, biofilm characterization, COD removal.

A prototype of a liquid ventilator using a novel hollow-fiber oxygenator in a rabbit model.

A functional total liquid ventilator should be simple in design to minimize operating errors and have a low priming volume to minimize the amount of perfluorocarbon needed. Closed system circuits using a membrane oxygenator have partially met these requirements but have high resistance to perfluorocarbon flow and high priming volume. To further this goal, a single piston prototype ventilator with a low priming volume and a new high-efficiency hollow-fiber oxygenator in a circuit with a check valve flow control system was developed. Prospective, controlled animal laboratory study. Research facility at a university medical center. Seven anesthetized, paralyzed, normal New Zealand rabbits The prototype oxygenator, consisting of cross-wound silicone hollow fibers with a surface area of 1.5 m2 with a priming volume of 190 mL, was tested in a bench-top model followed by an in vivo rabbit model. Total liquid ventilation was performed for 3 hrs with 20 mL.kg(-1) initial fill volume, 17.5-20 mL.kg(-1) tidal volume, respiratory rate of 5 breaths/min, inspiratory/expiratory ratio 1:2, and countercurrent sweep gas of 100% oxygen. Bench top experiments demonstrated 66-81% elimination of CO2 and 0.64-0.76 mL.min(-1) loss of perfluorocarbon across the fibers. No significant changes in PaCO2 and PaO2 were observed. Dynamic airway pressures were in a safe range in which ventilator lung injury or airway closure was unlikely (3.6 +/- 0.5 and -7.8 +/- 0.3 cm H2O, respectively, for mean peak inspiratory pressure and mean end expiratory pressure). No leakage of perfluorocarbon was noted in the new silicone fiber gas exchange device. Estimated in vivo perfluorocarbon loss from the device was 1.2 mL.min(-1). These data demonstrate the ability of this novel single-piston, nonporous hollow silicone fiber oxygenator to adequately support gas exchange, allowing successful performance of total liquid ventilation.

Nitrification Performance of Membrane-Attached Nitrifying Biofilm

Nitrification performance of a nitrifying biofilm attached on silicone hollow fiber membrane was evaluated. The nitrogen surface loading was increased from 2.32 to 9.28 g/m 2 d in steps with the membrane-attached biofilm that was operated at an inlet air pressure of 98 kPa and hydraulic retention time of wastewater of 12 h. The nitrification rate of about 8.0 g/m 2 d was simultaneously obtained with the nitrification efficiency of about 90%. The results clearly demonstrated that the oxygen supply from the bottom of biofilm through an oxygen permeable silicone membrane largely contributed the nitrification performance and that the nitrification performance of the membrane-attached nitrifying biofilm was far superior to the conventional fixed biofilm processes.

Long-term ex vivo bovine experiments with the Gyro C1E3 centrifugal blood pump.

Centrifugal blood pumps are used widely for cardiopulmonary bypass, as ventricular assist devices, and for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, there is no centrifugal blood pump that is suitable for long-term ECMO. The authors developed the Gyro C1E3 centrifugal blood pump (Kyocera Corporation, Kyoto, Japan), which has superior antithrombogenic, antitraumatic, and hydraulic features in comparison with the conventional centrifugal blood pumps. Five ex vivo long-term durability tests of the Gyro C1E3 were performed using healthy miniature calves. The ECMO circuit was composed of a prototype hollow fiber silicone membrane oxygenator and a Gyro C1E3 pump. Venous blood was drained from the left jugular vein of a calf, passed through the oxygenator and infused into the left carotid artery using a Gyro C1E3. Ex vivo studies were performed from 7 to 15 days at a blood flow rate of 1 L/min. During this period, the Gyro C1E3 demonstrated a stable performance without exchanging the pump. Bleeding complications were the major reason for termination of each experiment. Rotational speed was maintained around 2,000 rpm. All five calves demonstrated neither abnormal signs nor abnormal blood examination data throughout the experiment. Neither clot nor thrombus formations were found during the necropsy in the cannula or pump nor were infarctions observed in any of the major organs. In conclusion, the Gyro C1E3 showed a stable and reliable performance during long-term ex vivo bovine experiments under the conditions tested.

Experimental upgrades of membrane introduction mass spectrometry for water and air analysis.

Some improvements to the membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) technique, resulting in low-ppt detection limits for volatile organohalogen compounds (CX) in water (namely, chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, chlorodibromomethane, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and carbon tetrachloride) and low-microgram per cubic meter detection limits for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in gaseous samples, are shown. A static MIMS configuration was compared to a dynamic one, the former requiring longer time to obtain the analytical response. A cryotrapping preconcentration step is introduced and linearity of response, mixture effects, and detection limits are presented. The instrumental setup consists of a hollow fiber silicone membrane, a water or air container, a cryofocusing trap based on Tenax adsorbent, a Peltier cell, and a Varian ion trap benchtop mass spectrometer is described. This instrumental setup, which we named membrane extraction trap focusing mass spectrometry, allowed the detection of CX in water at a concentration as low as 8 ppt and of benzene in air at 0.1 microg/m3. The whole assembly shows great potential for on-site routine monitoring of drinking water resources and urban and indoor air under current EU and Italian regulations.

Development of a new hollow fiber silicone membrane oxygenator: in vitro study.

An experimental silicone hollow fiber membrane oxygenator for long-term extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was developed in our laboratory using an ultrathin silicone hollow fiber. However, the marginal gas transfer performances and a high-pressure drop in some cases were demonstrated in the initial models. In order to improve performance the following features were incorporated in the most recent oxygenator model: increasing the fiber length and total surface area, decreasing the packing density, and modifying the flow distributor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gas transfer performances and biocompatibility of this newly improved model with in vitro experiments. According to the established method in our laboratory, in vitro studies were performed using fresh bovine blood. Gas transfer performance tests were performed at a blood flow rate of 0.5 to 6 L/min and a V/Q ratio (V = gas flow rate, Q = blood flow rate) of 2 and 3. Hemolysis tests were performed at a blood flow rate of 1 and 5 L/min. Blood pressure drop was also measured. At a blood flow rate of 1 L/min and V/Q = 3, the O2 and CO2 gas transfer rates were 72.45 +/- 1.24 and 39.87 +/- 2.92 ml/min, respectively. At a blood flow rate of 2 L/min and V/Q = 3, the O2 and CO2 gas transfer rates were 128.83 +/- 1.09 and 47.49 +/- 5.11 ml/min. Clearly, these data were superior to those obtained with previous models. As for the pressure drop and hemolytic performance, remarkable improvements were also demonstrated. These data indicate that this newly improved oxygenator is superior to the previous model and may be clinically acceptable for long-term ECMO application.

Gas transfer performance of a hollow fiber silicone membrane oxygenator: ex vivo study.

Based on the results of in vitro studies of many experimental models, a silicone hollow fiber membrane oxygenator for pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was developed using an ultrathin silicone hollow fiber with a 300 microm outer diameter and a wall thickness of 50 microm. In this study, we evaluated the gas transfer performance of this oxygenator simulating pediatric CPB and ECMO conditions. Two ex vivo studies in a pediatric CPB condition for 6 h and 5 ex vivo studies in an ECMO condition for 1 week were performed with venoarterial bypass using healthy calves. At a blood flow rate of 2 L/min and V/Q = 4 (V = gas flow rate, Q = blood flow rate) (pediatric CPB condition), the O2 and CO2 gas transfer rates were maintained at 97.44 +/- 8.88 (mean +/- SD) and 43.59 +/- 15.75 ml/min/m2, respectively. At a blood flow rate of 1 L/min and V/Q = 4 (ECMO condition), the O2 and CO2 gas transfer rates were maintained at 56.15 +/- 8.49 and 42.47 +/- 9.22 ml/min/m2, respectively. These data suggest that this preclinical silicone membrane hollow fiber oxygenator may be acceptable for both pediatric CPB and long-term ECMO use.

Preclinical Evaluation of a Hollow Fiber Silicone Membrane Oxygenator for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator Application

A silicone membrane hollow fiber oxygenator applicable for use as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) has been developed in our laboratory. This silicone hollow fiber displays astonishing mechanical stability, is barely compressible or stretchable, and assembles easily while maintaining good gas permeability. The priming volume is 140 cc with a surface area of 0.8 m2. This study evaluated the gas transfer performances and biocompatibility of the oxygenator under ECMO and CPB conditions. In vitro studies that were performed at a blood flow rate of 2 L/min, and revealed O2 and CO2 gas transfer rates of 82.35 +/- 0.56 ml/m2/L/min and 38.72 +/- 2.88 ml/m2/L/min, respectively. The commercially available Kolobow (Avecor 1500) oxygenator was used as the control, and had O2 and CO2 gas transfer rates of 53.8 +/- 0.5 ml/m2/L/min and 24.7 +/- 2.0 ml/m2/L/min. To evaluate blood trauma, Normalized Index of Hemolysis (NIH) was measured according to American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The NIH findings were 0.0112 g/100L at a blood flow of 1 L/min, and 0.0152 g/100L at 5 L/min. Three ex vivo experiments, using a blood flow rate of 1 L/min, were performed with venoarterial bypass, and O2 transfer rate and CO2 transfer rate of the oxygenators were well maintained. This indicates that this preclinical silicone membrane hollow fiber oxygenator has superior efficiency, less blood trauma, and is smaller when compared with the only clinically available Kolobow oxygenator.

Membrane Extraction Combined with Thermodesorption/Gas Chromatography and Mass Selective Detection for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Water

The range of application of a commercial thermodesorption-cryofocussing unit connected to a gas chromatograph/mass selective detector was extended to water analysis by using it in conjunction with membrane extraction. A flow of nitrogen passes through a silicone hollow fiber immersed in the water sample and extracted volatile organic compounds are enriched in a sorption tube mounted on top of the extraction cell. The sorption tube is then placed in the thermodesorption unit and analyzed by GC/MS. The optimal extraction parameters of this combined method were found to be 30 min extraction at 20°C with a stirring speed of 1,250 rpm and a flow rate of 100 mL/min nitrogen using a silicone hollow fiber of 0.3 m length. Under these conditions the reproducibility of the method was 5.2–10.5% RSD. The linear dynamic range of the optimized method spans three orders of magnitude and detection limits were found to be 0.02–0.1 μg/L for cis/trans-1,2-dichloroethene, benzene, trichloroethene, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, ethylbenzene, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and 1,2/1,4-dichlorobenzene. The method was found to be suitable for compounds with boiling points up to 220°C as memory effects increased considerably from dichloro- to hexachlorobenzene. Highly contaminated groundwater samples were analyzed. Quantitative results corresponded well with those achieved with conventional headspace-GC/FID.