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Publication Number
US-9089126-B2
Publication Date
2015-07-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
An organ support apparatus includes: (a) a fluid circuit defining upstream and downstream legs adapted to be connected to an organ to be supported; (b) a circulation pump connected to the fluid circuit for circulating a process fluid through the fluid circuit and the organ; and (c) a first waveform generator connected to the fluid circuit for impressing a preselected pressure waveform on the process fluid.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an organ support apparatus that encloses an organ to be supported and includes inlet and outlet connections configured to be coupled to the organ. A fluid circuit defines upstream and downstream legs connected to the inlet and outlet connections, and a circulation pump is connected to the fluid circuit to circulate a process fluid through the fluid circuit and the organ.
A first waveform generator in the upstream leg impresses a preselected first pressure waveform on the process fluid before delivery to the organ, and a second waveform generator impresses a preselected second pressure waveform on downstream pressure applied to the organ. The waveform generators include diaphragm-type pressure regulators and reference pressure sources connected to the diaphragm-type pressure regulators.
The apparatus further includes feedback-controlled waveform tuning to avoid capillary over-pressurization and handling/removal of embolic risks. Embodiments with independent downstream pressure regulation using a second waveform generator are described, including suction-side pressure regulation.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim coverage includes one independent claim. The main claim coverage includes inventive features for enclosing an organ, circulating process fluid through an upstream/downstream circuit with a pump, and impressing preselected upstream and downstream pressure waveforms using diaphragm-type pressure regulators and reference pressure sources.
Organ enclosure with inlet and outlet connections
An enclosure adapted to enclose an organ to be supported and including inlet and outlet connections configured to be coupled to the organ.
Upstream/downstream fluid circuit driven by a circulation pump
A fluid circuit defining upstream and downstream legs connected to the inlet and outlet connections respectively, and a circulation pump connected to the fluid circuit for circulating a process fluid through the fluid circuit and the organ.
Upstream waveform generation with diaphragm-type regulator and reference pressure source
A first waveform generator disposed in the upstream leg for impressing a preselected first pressure waveform on the process fluid before it is delivered to the organ, wherein the first waveform generator comprises a first diaphragm-type pressure regulator and a first reference pressure source connected to the pressure regulator.
Downstream waveform generation with diaphragm-type regulator and reference pressure source
A second waveform generator connected in the downstream leg of the fluid circuit for impressing a preselected second pressure waveform on the downstream pressure applied to the organ, wherein the second waveform generator comprises a second diaphragm-type pressure regulator and a second reference pressure source connected to the second pressure regulator.
The provided independent claim coverage centers on an organ support apparatus that circulates process fluid through an upstream/downstream circuit with a pump and uses two waveform generators, each using a diaphragm-type pressure regulator and a reference pressure source, to impress preselected upstream and downstream pressure waveforms on the organ.
Stated Advantages
Mimics heart-like pulsatile pressure/flow characteristics in an organ support environment.
Avoids capillary over-pressurization via feedback-controlled waveform tuning using pressure/flow characteristics such as systolic/diastolic set points.
Removes/handles embolic risks through removal/handling aspects described in the system.
Documented Applications
Organ flushing.
Composition transitioning during storage and regeneration.
Use outside the body for transport/storage/regeneration.
Use inside the body for temporary vascular disconnection and perfusion.
Example kidney setup for organ support/perfusion using the described cardiovascular-emulator principles.
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