Figure 5

Schematic illustration of the gravity fed perfusion system used in this study. Separated plasma flow into the system and later return to blood. Treatment was started 3 hours after total liver ischemia. Vascular access was achieved using a double lumen catheter inserted into the internal jugular vein. The plasma is passed through the bioartificial liver (BAL) system and recirculate at 300 ml/min through the reservoir, an oxygenator/heater and the bioreactor. After recirculation through the BAL system, plasma and red blood cells are reconstituted in the plasmapheresis system and returned by way of a dual-lumen venous catheter. (1: bioreactor, 2: reservoir, 3: chamber, 4: line, 5: pump, 6: plasma separator, 7: anhepatic pig, 8: oxygenator & heater, 9: gravity force, 10: air filter, 11: air detector, 12: mesh).