Research and Development

New O.R. Table: Cooldown-Stage Blanket
One of the more interesting features of our new computer controlled perfusion system is the ability to transition from perfusion table to intermediate cooldown system without moving the patient off the table. In other words, after the patient has been cryoprotected, the table is designed to be sealed and for the patient’s temperature to be dropped to ‐ 80C (or thereabout), at which point a transfer to the cooldown crackphone system could be performed much more easily.

The original prototype table did not have enough insulation which made it very inefficient to cool. Rather than re‐build the table Steve Graber had an idea to build a reflective mylar thermal blanket which would increase the insulation factor and also serve to isolate the exterior surface of the table from frost-forming humidity. The thermal blanket took the form of 3 layers of reflective mylar, each sandwiched by two sheets of cotton cloth for a blanket with a total of 5 layers. The entire blanket was custom fitted to the table and held in place with velcro and magnets. Numerous tests were run on the table both with and without the blanket and although we have not officially concluded the testing our initial calculations indicate a significant reduction in LN2 usage, and an almost complete elimination of frost buildup across the table.