Method and apparatus for holding a plurality of tubes connectible to an organ or tissue container
Inventors
Schein, Douglas • Travis, Lee William
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7998725-B2
Publication Date
2011-08-16
Expiration Date
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 apparatus and methods further include a tube frame removably connected to the cassette and configured to hold a plurality of tubes in a position to be connected to tubes in the portable housing.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for holding an organ or tissue for at least one of perfusion, storage, diagnosis and transport. The apparatus includes a portable housing that holds the organ or the tissue and encloses a first set of tube segments while defining one or more openings. The portable housing, the first set of tube segments, and the tube frame form at least part of a closed fluid circuit that is configured to allow installation and removal as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
A removable tube frame is configured to hold a second set of tube segments at respective predetermined positions where they are directly connectible to the first set of tube segments by way of at least one of the one or more openings. Each predetermined position corresponds to a location of the one or more openings, and the tube frame is adjacent to the portable housing at least one of the predetermined positions. The tube frame and portable housing are arranged so that the portable housing, the first set of tube segments, the second set of tube segments, and the tube frame can be installed in and removed from an organ transporter, organ perfusion device or organ diagnostic device as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
The disclosed system concept is extended by features that support sterility and monitoring during operation, including vents and filtered/closeable vents for sterility during pressure changes, and pressure control components such as sensors and valves with fail-safe control. The document also describes optional bubble trap and sample port integration in the tube frame, along with temperature control and sensors. In a further aspect, transporter construction includes latches and organ identification via a sensor/tag-based arrangement, and network connectivity features such as GPS, with coolant-based heat transfer and failsafe behavior.
The document further describes monitoring and control to prevent over-pressurization, including pneumatic reservoirs with sensors/valves and/or roller/peristaltic pumps with fail-safe control. A representative tube-frame fluid path includes pump inlet, filter, bubble trap, sample port, and routing via pinchable tubes. The combination of the portable housing openings, the tube frame predetermined positions, and the closed fluid circuit integration is configured for direct connection without breaking the circuit when installed into or removed from the applicable organ transporter, organ perfusion device, or organ diagnostic device.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent apparatus claims and one independent method claim. Across these independent claims, the core coverage centers on a portable housing with openings and tube segments, a removable tube frame that holds tube segments at predetermined positions for direct connection, and a closed fluid circuit allowing unit installation and removal without breaking the circuit.
Portable housing with openings forming part of a closed fluid circuit
A portable housing enclosing a first set of tube segments and defining one or more openings, wherein the portable housing, the first set of tube segments, and the tube frame form at least part of a closed fluid circuit configured to allow installation and removal as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit in an organ transporter, organ perfusion device or organ diagnostic device.
Removable tube frame with predetermined positions for direct connection
A tube frame removably connectible to the portable housing and configured to hold a second set of tube segments at respective predetermined positions where they are directly connectible to the first set of tube segments by way of at least one of the one or more openings, with each predetermined position corresponding to a location of the one or more openings and the tube frame adjacent to the portable housing at least one of the predetermined positions.
Closed fluid circuit installable/removable as a unit without breaking
The portable housing, the first set of tube segments, the second set of tube segments and the tube frame are configured so they can be installed in and removed from an organ transporter, organ perfusion device or organ diagnostic device as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
Method using portable housing with openings and removable tube frame
A method of at least one of perfusion, storage, and transport of an organ or tissue that includes placing an organ or tissue in a portable housing enclosing a first set of tube segments and defining one or more openings, and connecting a tube frame to the portable housing so that the tube frame holds a second set of tube segments at respective predetermined positions directly connectible through the openings, with the portable housing, first set of tube segments, second set of tube segments and tube frame forming at least part of a closed fluid circuit installable/removable as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
Tube frame holding tube segments connectible through openings
An apparatus where a tube frame is configured to hold a first set of tube segments at respective predetermined positions directly connectible to a second set of tube segments of a portable housing for holding the organ or the tissue by way of one or more openings, with the tube frame adjacent to the portable housing at least one of the predetermined positions, and where the portable housing, first set of tube segments, and second set of tube segments form at least part of a closed fluid circuit installable/removable as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
Second set of tube segments held by tube frame outside the portable housing
An apparatus with a portable housing enclosing a first set of tube segments and a second set of tube segments held by a tube frame at respective predetermined positions relative to and outside of the portable housing, wherein the portable housing, first set of tube segments, and second set of tube segments form at least part of a closed fluid circuit configured to be installed in and removed from an organ transporter, organ perfusion device or organ diagnostic device as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
Across the independent claims, the principal inventive structure is an organ holding assembly that uses a portable housing with openings and a first set of tube segments, together with a tube frame that holds a second set of tube segments at predetermined, opening-corresponding positions for direct connection. The assembly is configured as part of a closed fluid circuit so that the portable housing, tube segments, and tube frame can be installed in and removed from an organ transporter, organ perfusion device, or organ diagnostic device as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit. The independent method claim mirrors the same structural arrangement as steps for perfusion, storage, and transport.
Stated Advantages
Allowing the portable housing, tube segments, and tube frame to be installed in and removed from an organ transporter, organ perfusion device or organ diagnostic device as a unit without breaking the closed fluid circuit.
Documented Applications
Perfusion of an organ or tissue using the apparatus and method.
Storage of an organ or tissue using the apparatus and method.
Diagnosis of an organ or tissue using the apparatus and method.
Transport of an organ or tissue using the apparatus and method.
Installation into and removal from an organ transporter.
Installation into and removal from an organ perfusion device.
Installation into and removal from an organ diagnostic device.
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