Claims
- 1. A heart preservation chamber comprising:
a housing that is at least partially transparent; an inclined trough supporting the heart; and at least one inlet connector and at least one outlet connector delivering fluid to and removing fluid from the heart.
- 2. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 wherein the inclined trough is inclined to an angle between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees.
- 3. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 wherein the inclined trough is inclined to an angle of about 30 degrees.
- 4. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 wherein the inclined trough supports between 10% and 90% of the heart's weight.
- 5. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 wherein the connectors connect to the aorta, a pulmonary artery and a pulmonary vein.
- 6. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 5 wherein the connector for the aorta is located at an elevated end of the inclined trough.
- 7. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 5 wherein the connector for the pulmonary artery connects to an upper end of the chamber.
- 8. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 5 wherein the connector for the pulmonary vein connects to a lower end of the chamber.
- 9. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 further comprising a cover which, when in a closed position, combines with the housing to provide a sterile sealed enclosure.
- 10. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 wherein the housing is made from a biocompatible polymer.
- 11. A heart preservation chamber according to claim 1 wherein the inlet and outlet connectors connect through a wall of the chamber to a perfusion circuit.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/403,556, filed Aug. 14, 2002. The entire teachings of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60403556 |
Aug 2002 |
US |