The evolution of the helical reservoir pump-oxygenator system at the University of Minnesota

Open heart surgery was not possible before the early 1950s. The development of controlled cross-circulation at the University of Minnesota in 1953 was a major contributing factor toward operating safely on the interior of the heart. Cross-circulation required connecting a donor's arterial and venous blood vessels to those of a smaller recipient whose heart could then be opened for corrective surgery. At that time no mechanical system was available to serve the role of the donor. The need to replace the donor was recognized. The author describes his experience with the development of the helical reservoir bubble oxygenator, which replaced the donor in cross-circulation supported open heart surgery. Other sidelights of the author's experience during the early days of open heart surgery at the University of Minnesota Department of Surgery are also recounted.