Miniature equipment for the perfusion of rat limbs

A simple, reliable and efficient miniaturized extracorporeal circulation system for the use in small animals, especially for the perfusion of rat hind limbs, has been described. The system consists of a newly devised bubble oxygenator and heat exchanger and of commercially available roller pumps, polyethylene cannulas and silicone tubes. The minimal and maximal priming volume of the entire system is 4.7 and 16.7 ml, respectively. The efficiency of the system is reflected in a high value of oxygen uptake in the range of 0.061 ml O2 X min-1 X ml-1 blood, a heat transfer coefficient ranging from 0.96 to 0.31 at flow rates between 1 and 20 ml X min-1, a low pulsation amplitude of the roller pump, a constant flow resistance at the arterial cannula, which implies optimal flow conditions, and in a low blood trauma with plasma hemoglobin concentrations of 47.5 +/- 5 mg dl-1 after 60 min of in vitro perfusion.