Abstract: A sponge assembly including at least some of a pipette having a pipette bulb portion including a hollow interior bulb portion and an elongate pipette body portion including a hollow interior body portion, wherein the pipette extends from the pipette bulb portion to the pipette body portion, wherein the pipette body portion extends from the pipette bulb portion to an open terminal end having an aperture, wherein the aperture of the pipette terminal end allows fluid communication between the open pipette terminal end, the hollow interior body portion, and the hollow interior bulb portion; a sponge support defining an at least partial cavity, wherein the open pipette terminal end is in fluid communication with the sponge support cavity, via the pipette aperture; and at least one sponge portion attached or coupled to the sponge support to cover at least a portion of the at least partial cavity.

Abstract: A sponge assembly including at least some of a pipette having a pipette bulb portion including a hollow interior bulb portion and an elongate pipette body portion including a hollow interior body portion, wherein the pipette extends from the pipette bulb portion to the pipette body portion, wherein the pipette body portion extends from the pipette bulb portion to an open terminal end having an aperture, wherein the aperture of the pipette terminal end allows fluid communication between the open pipette terminal end, the hollow interior body portion, and the hollow interior bulb portion; a sponge support defining an at least partial cavity, wherein the open pipette terminal end is in fluid communication with the sponge support cavity, via the pipette aperture; and at least one sponge portion attached or coupled to the sponge support to cover at least a portion of the at least partial cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ex-vivo cardiac perfusion systems that can support the metabolic function of an ex-vivo heart and also have the capacity to test the functions of the heart. For example, an ex-vivo heart can be placed within and connected to a cardiac perfusion system, as disclosed herein, resuscitated and supported medically, and also tested to determine cardiac recovery. Further, these systems can also be used for research purposes to study the pressure, work, and mechanical function of many types of hearts (e.g., failed hearts that are explanted at the time of heart transplant). Some embodiments include a detachable sub-system that includes a heart chamber and components for operating in a Langendorff mode while transporting an ex-vivo heart, and the sub-system can be coupled to a differential perfusion system to form a larger, full service system for supporting, recovering, testing the heart.