Organ perfusion apparatus with downstream flow control
Inventors
Kravitz, David • Steinman, Christopher P. • Louis, Jeffrey S. • Copithorne, Matthew • Otts, Brian L. • Demuylder, Peter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10602740-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
An organ perfusion apparatus may include at least two tubes connected to an organ or tissue. A method of perfusing an organ or tissue may include connecting a first end of each of the at least two tubes to an organ or tissue, applying a fluid motive force to a perfusion fluid in the two tubes to force the fluid through the two tubes into the organ or tissue, and perfusing the organ or tissue through the at least two tubes such that the fluid motive force, provided by, e.g., a pump, and backpressure generated by the organ or tissue, establishes a flow balance between the at least two tubes. The flow balance may be altered without altering the fluid motive force that is applied.
Core Innovation
The organ perfusion apparatus and method connect a conduit to an organ or tissue, where the conduit comprises a plurality of tubes and first ends of at least two tubes are connected to the organ or tissue. A pump applies fluid motive force to perfusion fluid in the at least two tubes to force the fluid through the at least two tubes into the organ or tissue to perfuse the organ or tissue.
A flow balance is established between the at least two tubes by the fluid motive force and backpressure generated by the organ or tissue being perfused. After the flow balance has been established, the method alters the flow balance between the at least two tubes without altering the fluid motive force that is applied, and a new flow balance may be established after altering the flow balance.
The method senses, by a sensor, the presence or absence of at least one device configured to alter the flow balance without altering the fluid motive force that is applied. The document also discusses monitoring flow and pressure in each tube using sensors and controllers, and detector-based detection of the presence of flow control clamps to switch between control modes.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent method claims covering multi-tube organ perfusion where a flow balance is established by fluid motive force and organ backpressure, then altered without changing the applied fluid motive force. The independent claim coverage also includes sensing the presence or absence of a device configured to alter the flow balance without altering the fluid motive force.
Multi-tube conduit connected to organ or tissue for perfusion
Connecting a conduit to an organ or tissue, the conduit comprising a plurality of tubes, and a first end of each of at least two said tubes being connected to the organ or tissue.
Fluid motive force perfusing through at least two tubes
Applying a fluid motive force to a perfusion fluid in the at least two tubes to force the fluid through the at least two tubes into the organ or tissue to perfuse the organ or tissue.
Flow balance established by fluid motive force and organ backpressure
Allowing a flow balance to be established between the at least two tubes by the fluid motive force and backpressure generated by the organ or tissue being perfused.
Altering flow balance without altering fluid motive force
After the flow balance has been established by the fluid motive force and the backpressure, then altering the flow balance between the at least two tubes without altering the fluid motive force that is applied.
Sensing presence or absence of a flow-balance altering device without changing motive force
Sensing, by a sensor, the presence or absence of at least one device configured to alter the flow balance between the at least two tubes without altering the fluid motive force that is applied.
Across the independent claim coverage, the invention centers on establishing a flow balance between multiple tubes driven by fluid motive force and organ backpressure, then altering that flow balance without altering the applied fluid motive force, while sensing the presence or absence of a device configured to alter the flow balance under that constraint.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Liver perfusion using example portal flow path and hepatic flow path.
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