What is ASAIO

A Premier Society for physicians, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs dedicated to the continually evolving field of artificial organs. Formed in 1955 to “promote the increase of knowledge about artificial internal organs and of their utilization,” it was the forum for first presentations about devices replacing the function of kidneys, hearts, lungs, pancreas and other organs. In 1955 Dr. L.W. Bluemle Jr. said, “I think we realized for the first time that we did have soul mates in an important field.” The same is true today. In the words of Dr. Thomas Depner, “ASAIO is a way of thinking, an orientation, an attitude, or a state of mind that promotes scientific investigation and innovation for the good of people who need artificial internal organs.”

Now through the work of its 800 members, the Annual Conference, the peer reviewed ASAIO Journal, and close cooperation with sister societies in Europe and Japan, ASAIO provides unique opportunities for young investigators to interact with established experts and sponsoring companies. Due largely to ASAIO and its members, artificial hearts, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and joints are now in common practice and entire new fields of clinical medicine have emerged, including nephrology, cardiac and vascular surgery, transplantation and intensive care.

A Crossroads of Disciplines The term “interdisciplinary” literally began with ASAIO. Cross communication among many disciplines has been the goal, the strength and the great accomplishment of ASAIO. Membership is evenly divided between scientists/engineers and clinical practitioners of various backgrounds. The Society has resisted the natural tendency to focus on only one organ or only one scientific method. Although there are three main tracts in the Annual Conference and ASAIO Journal — cardiothoracic, bioengineering/tissue engineering, and dialysis — many other focal points are found within each of these areas, including liver support, pancreas replacement, biosensors, artificial vision and hearing, and neuroprosthetic applications. No other society approaches the breadth of science and medicine found in ASAIO.

A Unique Scientific Forum The ASAIO Journal and the Annual Conference promote rigorous scientific analysis and carefully conceived clinical research. Preference is often given to “outside the box” ideas and approaches to organ replacement therapy. The Annual Conference is a uniquely open and vibrant forum for the discussion of current and future work. The web site has educational areas with news, case reports and an annotated bibliography. If it’s new in artificial organs, you’ll find it at ASAIO.

The Future of Organ Replacement Therapy ASAIO is also focused on creating revolutionary therapies for organ failure, including bioartificial organs and hybrid organs, bionics, cell and genetic therapies. The “ASAIO Innovation Conferences” are a forum for novel approaches in the treatment of organ failure. FYI - “For Young Innovators” - increases awareness of careers in artificial organ development, brings the best minds to the field and improves the exchange of ideas among all researchers. Like artificial organs themselves, ASAIO represents a unique combination of all fields of science, engineering and medicine and a catalyst for finding new therapies for organ failure.