Animal models of ex vivo lung perfusion as a platform for transplantation research

Figure 2 This diagram depicts a schematic of a small animal (rat) ex vivo lung perfusion circuit (A), the small animal perfusion circuit (B); a close-up of a rat lung undergoing ex vivo perfusion (C). Many of the same characteristics that are in the large animal circuit are present. This particular circuit has the ability for fine measurements of pressure, flow, and weight. The image back right shows the thermoregulator and the ventilator. The perfusates reservoir is in the image front right. The small animal circuit is analogous to the large animal circuit. However, due to the relative scale of the organ to the circuit, the perfusate volume needed for a complete perfusion is less. In addition, the ability to perform positive as well as negative pressure ventilation is possible. This varied ventilation an mimic both the mechanical breathing as well as natural intrathoracic breathing. The tracheal cannulation is top-center. The inflow cannula going into the pulmonary artery is from top-left and the outflow cannula going across the left atrium through the left ventricular apex is on screen right.