Abstract Apparatus and method of preserving life organs, the apparatus having an organ container in which the organ may be subjected to elevated pressure, a pump pulsatilely delivering perfusate into the organ and an oxygenator to oxygenate the perfusate effluent from the organ. A constant pressure bias maintains a minimum pressure on the perfusate between pulses. A fluid flow control system delivers driving fluid in a pulsed manner to the pump at a selected rate and at selected pulse duration. The method includes delivering pulsed oxygenated perfusate to the organ and uniformly conducting perfusate away from the organ and providing a constant pressure bias on the perfusate. Loss or gain of liquid volume caused by waste secretion by the organ is compensated for.
Artificial organ perfusion apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said container means are disposed within chamber means for maintaining a selected temperature and pressure to accommodate hyperbaric perfusion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
Artificial organ perfusion apparatus as defined in claim 1 having means for regulating the temperature of perfusate prior to delivery thereof to the organ.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Artificial organ perfusion apparatus as defined in claim 3 which includes means for oxygenating the perfusate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Artificial organ perfusion apparatus of claim 4 in which the oxygenating means is disposed at a vertical height lower than the vertical height of the container means for receiving an organ, whereby perfusate in the oxygenating means is under gravity-generated hydrostatic pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Artificial organ perfusion apparatus of claim 5 in which the portions thereof intended for contacting said perfusate are atraumatic to whole blood.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Artificial organ perfusion apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for imposing a minimum pressure bias is adjustable to provide a variable predetermined pressure of 0 to 200 mm. of mercury above ambient pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The perfusion apparatus of claim 7 in which said bladder of the aorta means is silicone.