Portable hypothermic conservator for animal organs - for transplant uses oxygen fluidics to produce pulsatory perfusion

摘要

The organ is perfused by a liquid which is oxygenated via and pumped by a membrane activated by a pulsatory supply of pressurised oxygen. The pulsatory supply is obtained from the pneumatic relay valve of a fluidics amplifier, the relay valve output being connected alternately to input oxygen or to atmosphere in response to alternating signals from a fluidics 'flip-flop' control element with its input branched off the main oxygen supply to the relay valve. The conservator is light in weight, compact and easily transportable, requiring only a supply of pressurised oxygen either from portable cylinders or permanent installation; no electric supply is required.