Thanatron

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The Thanatron, or death machine, (see Thanatos) was a device created by Dr. Jack Kevorkian to aid in the euthanasia of his patients. The device functioned through an intravenous injection. First a drip of saline solution would be started, then the patient would trigger the delivery of sodium thiopental to initiate a coma. After 60 seconds the device would automatically deliver a dose of a mixture of pancuronium bromide & potassium chloride, used to prevent spasms during the dying process and to induce cardiac arrest (heart stoppage) while the patient is asleep. After the first two deaths Kevorkian stopped use of the Thanatron, as his medical license had been revoked and he could no longer obtain the necessary drugs for its use.

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