At hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures; automatic monitoring

Inventors

Taylor, Michael John • Brassil, John

Assignees

Organ Recovery Systems Inc

Abstract

An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures. The methods further include perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures with a second perfusate containing a substance for reacting with the organ. Condition of the organ may be automatically monitored, and the perfusion process can be automatically controlled using a control program.

Core Innovation

The invention provides an organ perfusion method in which an organ is associated with an organ perfusion apparatus and perfused with a first medical fluid through at least one blood vessel of the organ. After perfusing, substantially all of the first medical fluid is removed from the organ perfusion apparatus, and the organ remains associated with the organ perfusion apparatus. The method then perfuses the organ with a second medical fluid containing an enzyme without removal of the organ from the organ perfusion apparatus.

In one described implementation, the method performs hypothermic perfusion and/or normothermic perfusion with automated monitoring/control. The description includes perfusion logic and a program or logic that regulates perfusion conditions such as pressure, temperature, and flow. In-line sensing is used for organ viability assessment and to support generation of an organ viability index.

The second medical fluid containing an enzyme is introduced in a manner that substantially removes the first perfusate before introducing the second enzyme-containing perfusate, while maintaining the organ within the cassette/applications. The description further associates this with a pancreatic distention-type fluid routing concept for subsequent islet preparation. The organ diagnostic apparatus and transporter features support monitoring, logging, and sterile cassette handling within the system.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim covers a perfusion method with four main inventive actions: associating the organ with an organ perfusion apparatus, perfusing with a first medical fluid through at least one blood vessel, removing substantially all of the first medical fluid from the organ perfusion apparatus, and perfusing with a second medical fluid containing an enzyme after the removal, without removal of the organ from the organ perfusion apparatus. Dependent claims further refine organ type, reaction determination related to the second medical fluid, logistics of removal and supply through tubes, and valve control using signals from a control panel.

Across the independent claim and its refinements, the claims focus on maintaining the organ in the organ perfusion apparatus while switching from perfusion with a first medical fluid through at least one blood vessel to perfusion with a second enzyme-containing medical fluid after substantially all of the first medical fluid is removed. Dependent claims further narrow the organ to pancreas or liver, add reaction determination for the pancreas, specify tube-based removal and supply logistics, and define valve control based on signals from a control panel.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications