Devices and methods for regulating temperature of organs during or before surgical procedures
Inventors
Hansen, Keith • Wu, Victoria Cheng-Tan • Doctor, Nishant Mukesh • Sackeim, Alexander David • Korir, George
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Assignees
Leland Stanford Junior University
MemberStanford UniversityStanford UniversityTodd Coleman is an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University. His research combines applied probability, physiology, and bioelectronics to develop methods and devices for monitoring and modulating nervous-system and other physiological activity, including brain and visceral-organ signals.
Todd Coleman is an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University. His research combines applied probability, physiology, and bioelectronics to develop methods and devices for monitoring and modulating nervous-system and other physiological activity, including brain and visceral-organ signals.
Publication Number
US-12745768-B2
Publication Date
2026-09-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices are provided for regulating the temperature of an organ being transplanted that includes a housing including one or more walls surrounding a cavity sized to receive an organ and an opening for accessing the cavity. The walls include an inner layer defining an inner surface for contacting the organ placed in the cavity, an outer layer defining an outer surface of the housing, and a cooling layer between the inner and outer layers, e.g., including a phase-change material configured to absorb thermal energy from the organ within the cavity through the inner layer, e.g., to maintain the organ within a target temperature range before and/or during a transplantation procedure. Optionally, the device may include one or more additional features, e.g., a handle to facilitate manipulation, one or more straps securable across the opening to secure the organ, and/or a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the organ.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a device for regulating the temperature of an organ being transplanted from a donor to a recipient. A housing surrounds an interior cavity sized to receive the organ and has walls comprising an inner layer, a cooling layer, and an outer layer. The cooling layer absorbs thermal energy from the organ through the inner layer, while a temperature sensor measures the organ's temperature and an output device provides a temperature-related status.
The description identifies organ rewarming and ischemic injury as concerns during transplantation, and describes the device as reducing these concerns while facilitating surgical anastomosis. Disclosed features include a phase-change cooling material, an outer insulating layer, and visual temperature-status output. Other described configurations include straps for securing the organ while leaving vessels accessible, a handle, orientation indicators, fluid-based or thermoelectric cooling, and cold perfusion.
Claims Coverage
The supplied claim text identifies three independent claims: claims 1, 20, and 26. Claims 7 and 22 are dependent claims by their wording. The independent claims cover three main inventive features.
Temperature-regulating housing with temperature-status output
Claim 1 recites a housing with an interior cavity sized to receive an organ, a temperature sensor adjacent the inner surface, and an output device providing the measured temperature. Its walls comprise an inner layer, an outer layer, and a cooling layer between them configured to absorb thermal energy from the organ through the inner layer. The output device comprises a light or color changing material configured to emit colors corresponding to organ status. Dependent claim 7 specifies 1-Decanol (Decyl alcohol) as the phase-change material.
Temperature-regulating housing with securing straps
Claim 20 recites a housing with an interior cavity, straps extending adjacent the opening and cooperating connectors for securing the straps across it, a temperature sensor, and an output device. The walls comprise an inner thermally conductive layer, an outer thermally insulative layer, and an intervening cooling layer comprising a phase-change material that absorbs thermal energy from the organ through the inner layer. The output device uses light or color changing material to indicate organ status. Dependent claim 22 adds a handle extending from the housing to facilitate manipulation.
Housing with an insulating outer layer
Claim 26 recites a housing with an interior cavity and layered walls, including an inner layer, an outer layer, and an intervening cooling layer configured to absorb thermal energy from the organ through the inner layer. The outer layer comprises material having low thermal conductivity to minimize exposure of the cooling layer to exterior temperatures, and the outer wall comprises one or more air pockets or foam fillers to reduce its thermal conductivity.
The independent claims cover a temperature-regulating housing with a cooling layer, with claim 1 adding temperature sensing and color-based status output, claim 20 additionally reciting securing straps, and claim 26 specifying an insulating outer wall with air pockets or foam fillers.
Stated Advantages
The device is described as reducing organ rewarming and ischemic injury.
The device is described as facilitating surgical anastomosis.
Documented Applications
Regulating the temperature of an organ being transplanted from a donor to a recipient, including a kidney and other organs.
Use in a transplant context to facilitate surgical anastomosis.
Interested in licensing this patent?