X-Message-Number: 25700
From: 
Subject: CI Vitrification Protocol Used on Dog 
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2005 23:22:58 US/Eastern

  On February 10th, 2005 the Cryonics Institute vitrified 
the dog of one of its Members, Kevin Boyle. Perfusion was
through the aorta, with clamping of the descending aorta.
Thus, only the upper portion of the body was perfused with
Dr. Pichugin's vitrification mixture. The Cryonics Institute
is now prepared to apply a similar procedure to its human
patients living in the United States (there are shipping
problems associated with overseas Members). 

   Our vitrification mixture is unsuitable for perfusing 
whole bodies. We could perfuse the rest of the body with 
ethylene glycol or glycerol, but to do so would compromise
the perfusion of the brain. Vitrification mixture, like all
cryoprotectants, is toxic at higher temperatures and it is 
important to begin cooling immediately after perfusion to
reduce the danger of ice formation. There is also a great
risk of edema if we attempt to perfuse the whole body with
vitrification mixture. Edema could prevent perfusion and
in that case would be a costly waste of time. 

   We will certainly be cryopreserving the whole body. 
Future technology will still be required to reverse 
biochemical damage, reverse the effects of aging and to 
eliminate all disease, including the damaging results
of past disease. One of our prominent Members, James
Swayze, is paraplegic and we definitely believe that if 
future technology is able to reanimate him, he will be
restored to full functionality. 

   We strongly believe that the elimination or near-elimination
of ice in the brain is an enormous benefit for all CI Members.
Although glycerol has vitrifying (anti-freeze) properties, it 
results in no less than 20% ice formation everywhere, including 
the brain. Eventually our research may allow for whole body 
vitrification, but we can make no guarantees. Our highest immediate 
priorities are to improve washout and eliminate cold ischemia during 
shipment to Michigan for administration of the vitrification
protocol. We also want to improve the vitrification protocol.

DONATIONS TO THE CI RESEARCH FUND ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. 
Make checks or money orders payable to The Immortalist Society 
to be tax-deductable. Mail to 24355 Sorrentino Court; Clinton
Township, MI 48035 USA. Or pay by PayPal to  
or phone-in your credit card number to (586) 791-5961. 

   A description of the cryopreservation of Kevin Boyle's
dog can be found on the CI website:

   http://www.cryonics.org/reports/Dog_Thor.html

         -- Ben Best, President, Cryonics
Institute

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25700