IPL

Isolated Perfused Lung (IPL)

The Isolated Perfused Lung method was described as early as 1903 by Brodie and Dixon. Since then this method has been widely used by researchers in the fields of physiology, pharmacology, toxicology and biochemistry. The IPL can be used to study a wide variety pulmonary functions and parameters.

This apparatus is available in three different versions.

Size 1 - type 839, designed for ventilation and perfusion studies on the isolated murine lung . The ventilation is under constant pressure. This setup allows constant flow perfusion.

Size 2 - type 829, designed for ventilation and perfusion studies on the isolated lung. The ventilation is under negative pressure. This setup allows for constant pressure as well as constant flow perfusion. A special version with the possibility to switch from constant flow to constant pressure is also available. The system can be equipped with a special oxygenator to avoid foaming if perfusate containing albumin or whole blood is used.

Size 4 - type 841, designed for ventilation and perfusion on the isolated lung. The ventilation is under negative pressure. This setup allows for constant flow perfusion. The system can be equipped with a special oxygenator to avoid foaming if perfusate containing albumin or whole blood is used.

Signals and Evaluation

The following basic signals can be measured:

Respiratory flow
Pressure in thoracic chamber (equivalent to intrapleural pressure)
Perfusion pressure
Perfusate flow
Lung weight changes
Microvascular pressure
Venous pO2
Venous pCO2
Venous pH

The following commonly used parameters can be derived from the above:

Peak inspiratory flow
Peak expiratory flow
Tidal volume
Minute volume
Lung resistance (RL)
Dynamic compliance (Cdyn)
Vascular resistance
Precapillary and postcapillary resistance
Filtration coefficient
O2 and CO2 exchange