General Information

Serial #

prototype

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

metal (primarily brass); wooden knobs on hand cranks.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

80.0 cm

Width

37.0 cm

Height

22.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Medical Technology

Category

Research

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Cowan

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

Period

This machine used c. late 1940s.

Canada

Heart-lung machine was built by Dr. Campbell R. Cowan (b.1906) Banting and Best Dept. of Medical Research, University of Toronto, in late 1940s. It was made for Drs. A. L. Chute & William Mustard of the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. Dr. Cowan was a very talented designer and builder of mechanical devices. From 1930-1971 he served as Research Associate to Comptroller, Banting and Best Dept. of Medical Research (and with cross- appointment to Dept. of Physiology, University of Toronto) Cowan was largely responsible for the development of apparatus used by Dr. George Clowes in his surgical approach to the mitral valve of the dog's heart. He also developed an extracorporeal chamber making possible the study of extremely thin films of blood with particular reference to platelets, platelet clumping and thrombosis. Dr. Cowan published numerous papers with members of the Dept. on various subjects, including several with Dr. Best on the prevention of thrombosis. During WWII he served as an officer in the R.C.N. Medical Research division, studying protective clothing and ditching suits designed to provide greater protection for soldiers forced to abandon ship. (Ref. 4)

Function

To bypass living heart, so that surgeon may work in a relatively bloodless field.

Technical

One of a series of artificial heart-lung machines used in experimental surgery on animals. The machine ensures that the entire body in supplied with oxygenated blood: this provides for the healthy functioning of the kidney, liver and spinal cord throughout the surgery. (Ref. 5) For technical explanation of process of re-routing blood from body through machine, please see Ref. 5. Please see also later version of artificial heart-lung machine 2002.0553.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

None, save UHN catalogue no. "970.11.11" printed by hand in white ink on base.

Missing

Incomplete: specific missing parts & accessories unidentified.

Finish

All metal (mostly brass) construction, save wooden knobs on crank handles; 2 metal brackets painted white. Heavily soiled; heavy covering of grease & dirt covers machine.

Decoration

N/A