Precision oxygen flow control for organ perfusion systems
Inventors
Voyce, Daniel • Coussios, Constantin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12543728-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A perfusion system for the extracorporeal perfusion of an organ comprises a perfusion fluid circuit (100) for circulating perfusion fluid through the organ, oxygenation means (104) for adding oxygen into the perfusion fluid and having an oxygen inlet (126), an oxygen concentrator (140) having an oxygen outlet (144), a plenum chamber (148) connected to the outlet of the oxygen concentrator and to the oxygen inlet of the oxygenation means, a flow control valve (160) arranged to control the flow of oxygen from the plenum chamber to the oxygenation means, and a controller (166) arranged to control the flow control valve (160) thereby to control the rate of flow of oxygen to the oxygenation means (104).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a perfusion system for the perfusion of an organ. The system includes a perfusion fluid circuit configured to circulate perfusion fluid through the organ, and an oxygenator configured to add oxygen into the perfusion fluid and having an oxygen inlet. An oxygen concentrator provides oxygen via an oxygen outlet, and the oxygen outlet is connected to a plenum chamber connected to the oxygen inlet of the oxygenator.
A flow control valve controls a flow of oxygen from the plenum chamber to the oxygenator, and a controller controls the flow control valve to thereby control a rate of flow of oxygen to the oxygenator. The controller is configured to use feedback from an oxygen pressure sensor measuring oxygen pressure in the plenum chamber and/or an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen content of the perfusate. Based on the measured feedback, the controller regulates the oxygen flow toward the oxygenator to maintain a target oxygen condition in the perfusion fluid.
The system is described as applicable to small-organs, including kidney, spleen, and pancreas. The plenum chamber is configured with a defined volume range and includes components for oxygen pressure control, such as a pressure release valve and sensors, including an oxygen flow sensor and the oxygen pressure sensor. The described arrangement supports controller-regulated oxygen dosing to the oxygenator and closed-loop control using oxygen pressure in the plenum chamber and oxygen content of the perfusate, while enabling reduced compressor duty cycle by controlling oxygen concentrator operation.
Claims Coverage
The partial set includes two independent claims, directed respectively to a perfusion system and a method of perfusing an organ. Across these independent claims, the inventive features focus on oxygen delivery from an oxygen concentrator through a plenum chamber to an oxygenator and controller control of oxygen flow, with sensor-based feedback refined in dependent claims.
Perfusion system oxygen dosing architecture
A perfusion system comprising a perfusion fluid circuit configured to circulate perfusion fluid through the organ and an oxygenator configured to add oxygen into the perfusion fluid and having an oxygen inlet, an oxygen concentrator having an oxygen outlet, and a plenum chamber connected to the outlet of the oxygen concentrator and to the oxygen inlet of the oxygenator.
Valve-controlled oxygen flow to the oxygenator
A flow control valve configured to control a flow of oxygen from the plenum chamber to the oxygenator, and a controller configured to control the flow control valve thereby to control a rate of flow of oxygen to the oxygenator.
Method of controlling oxygen content by oxygen flow
A method comprising providing perfusion fluid, oxygen, an oxygenator and a plenum chamber, pumping the perfusion fluid through the oxygenator and through the organ, pumping the oxygen into the plenum chamber, and controlling a flow of the oxygen from the plenum chamber to the oxygenator therefore to control an oxygen content of the perfusion fluid.
Overall claim coverage is centered on delivering oxygen from an oxygen concentrator into a plenum chamber connected to an oxygenator and using a controller to regulate oxygen flow to the oxygenator. The method and system claims share the core concept that controlling oxygen flow from the plenum to the oxygenator controls oxygen content in the perfusion fluid, with dependent claims further refining oxygen concentrator operation and closed-loop control based on oxygen pressure in the plenum and/or oxygen content in the perfusate.
Stated Advantages
Energy savings via reduced compressor duty cycle.
Documented Applications
Extracorporeal organ perfusion for small-organs, including kidney, spleen, and pancreas.
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