Abstract
Many different kinds of models are utilized for artificial organ research. Choice of these models usually depends on researchers' background no matter which model is suitable. The author experienced to widen his views when he used animal and mathematical models with the same emphases for analyzing mechanisms of peritoneal mass transport. It had been a common knowledge that the peritoneal mass transfer occurred in proportional to the product of peritoneal surface area and the concentration difference between blood and the dialysate solution; however, it was proved to be incorrect by a canine in vivo experiment. On the other hand, it was the same animal experiment that made the author develop a new mass transfer model in which peritoneal blood flow rate was taken into account. This mathematical model predicted many important results, which would give nice pieces of information on future research. Integration of animal and mathematical models could be a “model” relationship in artificial organ research.
