Landé Edwards disposable ‘lung’, United States, 1970
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Although this object looks like a plastic box, it is the ‘lung’ of an early type of heart-lung machine. Taking over the function of the lungs by removing carbon dioxide from the patient’s blood and adding oxygen to it, the ‘lung’ was intended to be thrown away after use. This was to prevent cross-infection between patients. Made by Edwards Laboratories, the ‘lung’ takes the first part of its name from its inventor, A J Landé, who developed the device. Heart-lung machines are especially used during open heart surgery.
Object number:
1994-122
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: open heart surgery
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Glossary: heart-lung machine
A machine used to take over the functions of the heart and lungs during surgery. It allows a surgeon to carefully stop the heart while the vital organs continue to receive blood and oxygen.