Digital Gallery Explore
What do we see when we look closely?
Examine this photograph of a perfusion pump invented by Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and transatlantic aviator, Charles Lindbergh. The device successfully preserved animal organs outside of the body by simulating perfusion, the body's natural process that delivers blood to small blood vessels in organs. The perfusion pump was influential to later developments in organ transplantations and open-heart surgeries.
Roll over different areas of the image to discover answers to the questions below.
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- Q1What happens in this part of the pump?
- A1An organ would be placed in the slanted cylindrical chamber and above the platinum screen divider before the curved part. The slant decreased the organ's exposure to air contaminants, and allowed for the nutrient-rich fluid to flow through the organ then pass through a silica-sand filter in the curved tube, and cycle down to the reservoir chamber at the base of the pump.
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- Q2What is inside of the bulb?
- A2The perfusion pump had three openings to the outside air. Carrel and Lindbergh lightly packed non-absorbent cotton in the bulbs that were connected to the openings to filter any contaminants in the incoming air, and to maintain a sterile environment inside of the device.
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- Q3What material do you think was used to make this device?
- A3The transparency of the cylinder may be a clue for you. The cylinder is made of a particular type of glass, Pyrex, which is now commonly used in baking pans. This glass material helped the success of the pump, as it could withstand the heat of sterilization, resist abrasive chemicals in perfusion fluid, and prevent blood from clotting in the pump.
-
- Q1What happens in this part of the pump?
- A1An organ would be placed in the slanted cylindrical chamber and above the platinum screen divider before the curved part. The slant decreased the organ's exposure to air contaminants, and allowed for the nutrient-rich fluid to flow through the organ then pass through a silica-sand filter in the curved tube, and cycle down to the reservoir chamber at the base of the pump.
-
- Q2What is inside of the bulb?
- A2The perfusion pump had three openings to the outside air. Carrel and Lindbergh lightly packed non-absorbent cotton in the bulbs that were connected to the openings to filter any contaminants in the incoming air, and to maintain a sterile environment inside of the device.
-
- Q3What material do you think was used to make this device?
- A3The transparency of the cylinder may be a clue for you. The cylinder is made of a particular type of glass, Pyrex, which is now commonly used in baking pans. This glass material helped the success of the pump, as it could withstand the heat of sterilization, resist abrasive chemicals in perfusion fluid, and prevent blood from clotting in the pump.
- 1What happens in this part of the pump?
- 2What is inside of the bulb?
- 3What material do you think was used to make this device?
