International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation
An organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and display of materials related to artificial organs and transplantation.
Tribute: Zbylut J. Twardowski (1934–2024)
On January 20, 2024, we mourned the passing of Professor Zbylut Twardowski, a distinguished Polish-American nephrologist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to renal replacement therapy. His achievements, detailed in numerous co-authored studies, continue to...
Addition of the Dialysis Museum of Vicenza to our Virtual Collection
We are pleased to announce the addition of The Dialysis Museum of Vicenza to our Virtual Collections. This video is narrated by Professor Claudio Ronco and describes the items in the Museum including dialyzers, hemofilters, machines, and related extracorporeal...
Addition of the Terumo Blood Oxygenator Collection to our Virtual Collection
We are pleased to announce the addition of the Terumo Blood Oxygenator Collection to our Virtual Collections. Terumo led the commercialization of microporous hollow fiber membranes made of polypropylene in 1982 with its Capiox-II oxygenator that became the standard in...
Our Mission
The Center, founded in 1979, is designed to serve as a not-for-profit organization devoted to the collection, preservation, and display of materials that illustrate the development of the two biomedical fields described in its name.
Explore the timeline of the International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation (ICAOT)
1977
Artificial Organs is created and becomes the official journal of the newly established International Society for Artificial Organs (ISAO)
1978
1st ISAO Anniversary Recognition Event in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Award created and first awards bestowed
1979
Steering Committees and Board of Trustees formed to develop and implement plans for the International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation (ICAOT). Fund raising begun and historical artifacts continued to be collected
1979
International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation opened in the former White Mansion at 8937 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
1981
In March, Dr. Takehiko Kudo became the first Distinguished Scholar of the International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation
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Image Gallery
Dr. Kolff and Dr. Nosé in the ISAO Vanik Library (1977)
This library was named in honor of Cleveland’s 22nd District Congressman, Charles A. Vanik, who had made significant legislative contributions to the United States’ renal disease program. Dr. Kolff and Dr. Nosé are pictured in the ISAO Vanik Library. The library is named in honor of Cleveland’s Twenty-Second District Congressman, Charles A. Vanik, who has made significant legislative contributions to the United States renal disease program.
Transplantation and Implantation Gallery, International Center (1981)
View of the Transplantation and Implantation Gallery from the lobby of the International Center. The main theme of the Center concerning Artificial Organs is presented in the center of the lobby at the entrance to the gallery.
Awards recipients (1981)
The 1981 recipients of the Awards at the preview and dinner surround the portrait of Mr. Spahr. Awardees include Dr. Willam Murphy, recipient of the Distinguished Fellow Award, Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz, recipient of the Cleveland Award, Mr. Risaburo Aoki and Dr. Werner Bandel, recipients of the Distiguished Fellow Award.
Plasmapheresis Exhibit (1982)
The entrance to the Plasmapheresis Exhibit highlights the concepts if blood purification and bloodletting through the centuries. Exaamples of early blood transfusion sets, cupping devices, bloodletting bowls, and scarificators are shown. Of special interest was the panel concerning folk medicine and quackery. On display are an early “penny arcade electric machine”, a magneto-galvanic medallion, advertisements for folk medicines, and various electrical health restorers.
Members of the Cleveland Board of Trustees and Steering Committee (1982)
Members of the Cleveland Board of Trustees and Steering Committee honored at the reception dinner for their efforts in establishing the ICAOT. Left to right: Paul S. Malchesky, Dr. H. Klinkmann (Master of Ceremonies), Helen E. Kambic, Robert G. Cheshire, Dr. Y. Nosé, James E. Burnett, Dr. P. Katona, Charles E. Spahr, Dr. Robert A. Lang, Lowell F. Bernard, Lewis I Schwartz,. Special gifts of appreciation were given to Ms. Mary Ann Edsall, Plasmapheresis Coordinator, Mr. R. Sallade, Design Consultant for the ICAOT Museum, Ms. Helen E. Kambic, Director of Museum Exhibits.
Automated Hemapheresis exhibit (1982)
Automated Hemapheresis attracted many visitors. Exhibited were major centrifugal equipment currently available including the Fenwal CS-3000 Blood Cell Separator, the Haemonetics V=50 Intermittent Flow Centrifuge, and the Parker-Hannefin Cryomax, a continuous flow membrane device.
Mrs. Helen E. Kambic (1983)
Mrs. Helen E. Kambic, Center Director of Museum Exhibits, with the exhibit on plasmapheresis she created for the symposium that was installed in the Center’s galleries.
Students viewing an artificial heart model (1983)
Students in front of an artificial heart model. The rhythmical compression of the fluid filled plastic bag (representing a heart chamber) demonstrates unidirectional blood circulation through the two heart valves.
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