emka -Perfusion Systems

Our perfusion systems offer up to four independent baths to accommodate various organs, such as liver, kidney and mesenteric beds.

• Our single channel perfusion system is designed to perfuse organs such liver, kidney and mesenteric bed at constant flow or constant pressure. The setup is delivered with specific cannulas and catheters to fit artery and veina diameters from different animal sizes. Cannulas are equipped with small circular wire on the tip for non-traumatic cannulation and to avoid possible vessel occlusion.
• Our 4-channel system is used for mesenteric beds perfused at constant flow. One multichannel peristaltic pump is used to perfuse 4 preparations in parallel with constant flow while 4 individual pressure transducers measure perfusion pressure on mesenteric arteries. An option for electrical stimulation with simultaneous measurements is available.

DID YOU KNOW?  Up to four setups, can be monitored from a single computer equipped with IOX2 acquisition software.

Maintaining a constant temperature is essential in order to avoid any discrepancies in the results or to conduct ischemia reperfusion experiments.

Our perfusion chambers are perfectly thermostated by circulation water. They are equipped with a cover to maintain temperature and humidity inside the chamber. The perfusion liquid is going through a heat exchanger before entering artery.

An optional cooler can be used for low temperature perfusion (from 1°C to ambient temperature).

Ex vivo perfusion systems give researchers the ability to control perfusate composition and oxygenation to create various conditions (i.e. anoxia, hypoxia, hypo/hypertensive) without normal homeostatic functions interfering (i.e. neurogenic and hormonal influences) while also controlling environmental aspects such as temperature, etc.

IOX2 software offers real-time analysis and full data display as graphs, trends, and tables, including pulse calculation of fast beating (i.e. papillary, atrial muscle) and slow contracting (i.e. uterus, ileum) tissues.

Automatic post-processing of subject parameters by datanalyst software can provide analysis between and within subjects such as but not limited to data group averaging and ED50.

The perfusion system provides oxygen and nutrients to the organ while delivering drugs diluted in the perfusion reservoir to the organ.

Heated water circulates continually through the space behind the bath walls, bathing the heat exchanger through which the perfusate flows. In this way, heat is transferred from the heated water to the perfusate, which is maintained at the right temperature.

Organs can be simply perfused and installed in the chamber without being immersed into the liquid. For applications requiring the organ to be immersed, one channel of the peristaltic pump is used to fill the bath while the second channel is used for overflow. Carbogen is released directly into the buffer solution.

In the single channel system, the organ can be perfused at a constant flow or a constant pressure rate through the artery.

A peristaltic pump is directly controlled by a pressure/flow regulator. Pressure transducer and pump are directly connected to the pressure regulator (No need of extra amplifier) that provide flow and pressure signals. It is also possible to use the pressure regulator connected to veina to adjust the post-charge pressure.

Outcomes:

• Perfusion pressure
• Perfusion flow

In 4-channel system, mesenteric beds are perfused at constant flow. Pressure is measured just upstream of the cannula, reflecting changes in vascular tone.

Flow rate is directly adjusted by adjusting the speed of the peristaltic pump. This flow is constant and not monitored. The peristaltic pumps provide mesenteric perfusion, bath perfusion and baths overflow (to aspirate excess of liquid going out of the bath due to mesenteric perfu­sion and bath perfusion).

Outcomes:

• Perfusion pressure

The single channel system includes the following:

The moist chamber: Including base and cover, it is equipped with stainless steel positioning systems to adjust perfusion cannula or veina positions, and lateral accesses to introduce catheters without having to remove cover (Useful to collect discharge of bile in liver perfusion or discharge of urine in kidney perfusion).

The bubble trap located just before the perfusion cannula, has a upper access used for direct bolus injection or to adjust the liquid level, which determines the compliance during the experiment.

Perfusion system: To provide oxygen and nutrients to the isolated organ, it includes a fritted glass, a perfusate reservoir, a peristaltic pump, a pressure/flow regulator, holders and cannulas for veina and artery perfusion.

Heating system: Made of a heat exchanger and a heater/pump, it maintains the organ at the right temperature (usually 37°C). A cooler can be used as well when low temperature are required.

Data acquisition system: transducers, usbACQ interface box and IOX2 software allow to acquire perfusion flow and pressure..

The 4-channel system includes the following:

4 organ baths:  Equipped with a stainless steel grid, organ bed height and bath volume are adjustable.

Perfusion system: To provide oxygen and nutrients to the isolated organ, it includes 3 peristaltic pumps, and several small cannulas available to suit different artery sizes.

A heating system: To keep the temperature of the perfusate constant.

Data acquisition system: blood pressure transducer, usbAMP amplifier and IOX2 software allow to acquire pressure.

A stimulator: if electrical stimulation is required.