Organ perfusion systems
Inventors
Kay, Stuart Brian William • Cuvelier, Sebastien Antoine Yves • Oakley, Jonathan Richard • Robinson, David George • Canner, Philip David • Salkus, Peter Alan • Russell, Leslie James • Friend, Peter John • Coussios, Constantin C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11540508-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An organ perfusion system comprises: a perfusion fluid circuit (16) arranged to circulate perfusion fluid through the organ; a surrogate organ (126) arranged to be connected into the circuit in place of the organ so that the circuit can circulate fluid through the surrogate organ; and organ sensing means arranged to distinguish between the presence of the organ in the circuit and the presence of the surrogate organ in the circuit. The sensing means may comprise one or more pressure sensors (136, 137, 138), or a flow meter (125). Further aspects relate to adjusting the content of at least one component, such as oxygen or a nutrient, in the perfusion fluid. Bubble detection means (113), and means (74) to measure the amount of fluid secreted by or leaked from the organ, may also be provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of operating a perfusion system to perfuse a bodily organ using a perfusion fluid circuit. The perfusion system includes a surrogate organ arranged to be connected into the circuit in place of the bodily organ so the circuit can circulate fluid through the surrogate organ. An organ sensing system comprising at least one sensor and a controller measures a resistance to fluid flow through the fluid circuit so as to distinguish between a presence of the bodily organ in the circuit and a presence of the surrogate organ in the circuit.
The method provides at least two modes of operation, including a perfusion mode and a preparation mode adapted for preparation of the system prior to perfusion of the organ. In the method, perfusion fluid is circulated through the perfusion fluid circuit, and the sensing system measures the resistance, which is used by the controller to determine the presence of the surrogate organ in the circuit. In the preparation mode, the system circulates perfusion fluid through the circuit and the surrogate organ while adjusting at least one parameter of the perfusion fluid to bring it within a target range.
After preparation, the surrogate organ is disconnected from the circuit and the bodily organ is connected into the circuit. Perfusion fluid is then circulated through the perfusion fluid circuit, and the sensing system measures the resistance to sense the presence of the bodily organ in the circuit. In response to sensing the presence of the bodily organ, the controller switches the perfusion system to the perfusion mode to operate the system to circulate the perfusion fluid through the circuit and the bodily organ.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage identifies one independent claim with three inventive features: sensor-based resistance discrimination between surrogate and bodily organ presence, preparation mode operation with parameter adjustment into a target range, and switching to perfusion mode upon sensing the bodily organ.
Surrogate organ in a perfusion fluid circuit with sensor-based resistance discrimination
A perfusion fluid circuit is arranged to circulate perfusion fluid through the bodily organ, and a surrogate organ is arranged to be connected into the circuit in place of the bodily organ so that the circuit can circulate fluid through the surrogate organ. An organ sensing system comprising at least one sensor and a controller measures a resistance to fluid flow through the fluid circuit to distinguish between a presence of the bodily organ in the circuit and a presence of the surrogate organ in the circuit.
Preparation mode with surrogate organ and parameter adjustment
The perfusion system operates in a preparation mode to circulate perfusion fluid through the circuit and the surrogate organ while adjusting at least one parameter of the perfusion fluid to bring it within a target range.
Switching to perfusion mode upon sensing bodily organ presence
The controller switches the perfusion system to the perfusion mode to circulate the perfusion fluid through the circuit and the bodily organ in response to sensing the presence of the bodily organ in the circuit.
The core claim coverage combines a surrogate organ in the circuit, resistance-based sensing to distinguish surrogate versus bodily organ presence, preparation mode adjustment of perfusion-fluid parameters into a target range, and automatic switching to perfusion mode upon sensing the bodily organ.
Stated Advantages
Allows distinguishing between a presence of the bodily organ in the circuit and a presence of the surrogate organ in the circuit.
Provides preparation of the system prior to perfusion of the organ in a preparation mode while adjusting at least one perfusion-fluid parameter to bring it within a target range.
Enables automatic switching to perfusion mode when the bodily organ is sensed in the circuit.
Documented Applications
Organ perfusion system operation for perfusing a bodily organ using a perfusion fluid circuit with a surrogate organ during system preparation and subsequent connection of the bodily organ for perfusion.
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