Device for transporting an organ or tissue

Abstract

A device for transporting an organ or tissue. The device comprises a container for containing the organ or tissue and a pneumatic pump for pumping a perfusion fluid in order circulating the perfusion fluid through the organ or tissue. The device comprises a holder for holding at least one gas vessel comprising pressurised gas. The pressurised gas is used to create a pulsating gas flow to the pump for pumping the perfusion fluid.

Description

[0001] P36992PC00

[0002] Title: Device for transporting an organ or tissue

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention relates to a device for transporting an organ or tissue. The device comprises a container for containing the organ or tissue and a pneumatic pump for pumping a perfusion fluid in order circulating the perfusion fluid through the organ or tissue. The device comprises a holder for holding at least one gas vessel comprising pressurised gas. The pressurised gas is used to create a pulsating gas flow to the pump for pumping the perfusion fluid.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Perfusion of an organ or tissue, particularly a donor’s organ or tissue, with a perfusion fluid during the transport phase improves the quality of the organ or tissue available for the donor. This reduces the risk of the recipient's body rejecting the organ or tissue, thereby reducing the amount of anti-rejection medication required for the patient. This is not only important for the patient's health, but also for society, as there is a worldwide shortage of donor organs or tissues.

[0007] The known devices have the disadvantage that the circulation of the perfusion fluid is not sufficient accurately controlled during the transport phase. As a result, there is a relatively high risk that the quality of the organ or tissue reduces during transport.

[0008] In addition, the known devices have a tendency to consume too much gas when pneumatic pumps are used for perfusion of the organ or tissue. As a result, especially if there are unexpected delays, organ or tissue perfusion may stop during the transport phase because the pressurised gas has run out. As the device is intended for transport, coupling the device to a larger and heavier gas vessel is not a satisfactory solution.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention has the objective to provide an improved, or at least alternative, device for transporting an organ or tissue. This objective is achieved by a device for transporting an organ or tissue, comprising a container for containing the organ or tissue, at least two pneumatic pumps configured to pump a perfusion fluid, container conduits connected to the at least two pumps for circulating the perfusion fluid through the container, a holder for holding at least one gas vessel comprising pressurised gas, vessel conduits for in use connecting the at least one gas vessel to the at least two pumps, at least one valve provided in the vessel conduits, and a control system configured to control the at least one valve for providing a pulsating gas flow to the at least two pumps for pumping the perfusion fluid, which control system is operatively coupled to the at least one valve.

[0011] The utilisation of at least two pumps enables a more precise perfusion fluid circulation. It has been found out that the pneumatic pump operates with greater accuracy when lower perfusion fluid volumes are pumped than when larger fluid volumes are pumped. The maximum perfusion fluid volumes pumped by each of the at least two pumps are reduced when compared with the situation in which only one pump is used. Consequently, a more precise perfusion fluid circulation is achieved.

[0012] Furthermore, it has been found out that the consumption of gas by the pneumatic pumps is relatively lower when lower perfusion fluid volumes are pumped than when larger volumes are pumped. This allows for a reduction in the total gas consumption by the at least two pumps.

[0013] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least valve comprises at least one primary valve, and the control system is configured to control via the at least one primary valve a gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow provided to the at least two pumps.

[0014] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least one valve comprises at least two primary valves and the control system is configured to individually control via the at least two primary valves for each of the at least two pumps a gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow provided to said respective pump.

[0015] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least two pumps consist of a pump number, such as two, of pumps, the at least one primary valve consist of a primary number, such as two, of primary valves, the pump number equals the primary number, and each of the at least two pumps is associated with only one of the at least one primary valve and each of the at least one primary valve is associated with only one of the at least two pumps.

[0016] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system is configured to adjust a perfusion flow rate of the perfusion fluid circulated by the at least two pumps by controlling the gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow via the at least one primary valve.

[0017] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system is configured to individually adjust for each of the at least two pumps the prefusion flow rate of the perfusion fluid circulated by said respective pump.

[0018] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least one valve comprises at least one secondary valve provided in the vessel conduits for controlling a gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow provided to the at least two pumps. In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least one valve comprises at least two secondary valves and the control system is configured to individually control via the at least two secondary valves for each of the at least two pumps the gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow provided to said respective pump.

[0019] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least one primary valve consists of a primary number being two or higher of primary valves, the at least one secondary valve consists of a secondary number being two or higher of secondary valves, the primary number equals the secondary number, and each of the at least one primary valve is associated with only one of the at least one secondary valve and each of the at least one secondary valve is associated with only one of the at least two pumps.

[0020] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system is configured to adjust a perfusion pressure of the perfusion fluid circulated by the at least two pumps by controlling the gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow via the at least one secondary valve.

[0021] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system is configured to individually adjust for each of the at least two pumps the prefusion pressure of the perfusion fluid circulated by said respective pump.

[0022] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least two pumps and the control system are configured to switch between a first operation mode in which only part of the at least two pumps receive the pulsating gas flow, and a second operation mode in which all of the at least two pumps receive the pulsating gas flow.

[0023] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least two pumps comprise a first pump and a second pump, and the control system are configured to switch between a first operation mode in which only one of the first pump and second pump receives the pulsating gas flow, and a second operation mode in which both of the first pump and the second pump receive the pulsating gas flow.

[0024] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system and the at least two pumps are configured to produce a perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid with each of the at least two pumps of between, and including, 1 ml / min and 600 ml / min, or between, and including, 300 ml / min and 400 ml / min, or 350 ml / min.

[0025] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system and the at least two pumps are configured to have a total perfusion flow rate of prefusion fluid produced by the at least two pumps together, the total perfusion flow rate has a first total perfusion flow rate in the first operation mode, a second total perfusion flow rate in the second operation mode, and the second total perfusion flow rate is higher than the first total perfusion flow rate. In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control system, the first pump and the second pump are configured to have a total perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid produced by the first pump and the second pump together of between, and including, 1 ml / min and 600 ml / min, or between, and including, 300 ml / min and 400 ml / min, or 350 ml / min, in the first operation mode, and between, and including, 2 ml / min and 1200 ml / min, or between, and including, 600 ml / min and 800 ml / min, or 700 ml / min, in the second operation mode.

[0026] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device comprises at least one oxygenator connected to the vessel conduits for in use supplying gas from the at least one gas vessel to the perfusion fluid in the container conduits.

[0027] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device comprises at least two oxygenators connected to the vessel conduits for in use supplying gas from the at least one gas vessel to the perfusion fluid in the container conduits.

[0028] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least two pumps consist of a pump number, such as two, of pumps, the at least two oxygenators consist of an oxygenator number, such as two, of oxygenators, the pump number equals the oxygenator number, and each of the at least two pumps is associated with only one of the at least two oxygenators and each of the at least two oxygenators is associated with only one of the at least two pumps.

[0029] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, each of the at least two oxygenators comprises an expansion tank configured to maintain a constant gas pressure in the respective vessel conduit.

[0030] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, each of the at least two pumps comprises a perfusion inlet and a perfusion outlet, the container conduits comprise at least two dedicated container conduits connecting the perfusion outlet of one of the at least two pumps to the container, the at least two pumps consist of a pump number, such as two, of pumps, the at least two dedicated container conduits consist of a dedicated container conduit number, such as two, of dedicated container conduits, the pump number equals the dedicated container conduits number, and each of the at least two pumps is connected to only one of the at least two dedicated container conduits and each of the at least two dedicated container conduits is connected to only one of the at least two pumps.

[0031] It will be clear to the skilled person that any combination of any number of the above identified embodiments of the device according to the invention may be made.

[0032] The invention further relates to a method for transporting an organ or tissue, comprising placing an organ or tissue in a container, closing said container and pumping a perfusion fluid as well as a gas, preferably an oxygen- containing gas, into said container, said pumping of the perfusion fluid being caused by a pulsating gas flow of said gas, wherein the pulsating gas flow is provided to at least two pneumatic pumps, and each of the at least two pumps circulates the perfusion fluid through the container.

[0033] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, each of the at least two pumps is individually controlled.

[0034] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, said method is performed with the device according to the invention.

[0035] It will be clear to the skilled person that the method according to the invention may operate in line with any combination of any number of the above identified embodiments of the device according to the invention.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematical overview of an embodiment of the device and method according to the invention,

[0039] Figure 2 schematically shows a view in perspective of one of the pumps of the device of figure 1 ,

[0040] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view the pump of figure 2, and the Figures 4a and 4b schematically show views in perspective of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 shows a schematical overview of an embodiment of the device 1 and method according to the invention. The device 1 is configured to transport an organ or tissue, such as a liver or a kidney. The device 1 comprises a base surface 20, side walls 21 and a cover 22. The device 1 comprises a container 2 for containing the organ or tissue and at least two pneumatic pumps 3a-b configured to pump a perfusion fluid 4. More specifically, two pumps Safa are provided in figure 1. The perfusion fluid 4 may be a perfusion liquid and / or a perfusion gas.

[0043] Container conduits 5a-b are connected to the at least two pumps 3a-b for circulating the perfusion fluid 4 through the container 2. The container conduits 5a-b are in use connected to the organ or tissue. A first container conduit 5a can be connected to an artery of a liver and a second container conduit 5b can be connected to a vein of a liver which is not an artery. In the situation where the donor organ or tissue to be transported is a kidney, only one container conduit 5a-b needs to be used and connected to the artery of the kidney.

[0044] A holder 6 is provided for holding at least one gas vessel 7 comprising pressurised gas. Only one gas vessel 7 is provided in figure 1. The pressurised gas in the gas vessel 7 has a gas pressure of about 5000 mmHg (6666 mbar). Vessel conduits 8a-b connect the gas vessel 7 to the two pumps 3a-b. At least one valve 9a-b, 11a-b is provided in the vessel conduits 8a-b.

[0045] A control system 10 controls the at least one valve 9a-b, 11a-b for providing a pulsating gas flow to the at least two pumps 3a-b for pumping the perfusion fluid 4. The control system 10 is operatively coupled to the at least one valve 9a-b, 11a-b via an electrical connection as indicated in figure 1. Said electrical connection is used for communication between control system 10 and the at least one valve 9a-b, 11a-b and for the supply of electrical energy to operate the at least one valve 9a-b, 11a-b.

[0046] The control system 10 is electrically connected to a battery 17 to obtain electrical energy for its operation and for the supply of electrical energy to other electrical units being electrically connected to the control system 10. The electrical connection between said other electronical units may also be used for communication with the control system 10.

[0047] Flow rate meters 16a-b are provided in the container conduits 5 to measure a perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid 4 through said container conduits 5. The flow rate meters 16a-b are electrically connected to the control system 10.

[0048] Gas pressure sensors 26a-b are connected to the vessel conduits 8a-b to measure a gas pressure of the pressurised gas in said vessel conduits 8a-b. The gas pressure sensors 26a-b are electrically connected to the control system 10.

[0049] The utilisation of at least two pumps 3a-b enables a more precise perfusion fluid circulation. It has been found out that the pneumatic pump 3a-b operates with greater accuracy when lower perfusion fluid volumes are pumped than when larger fluid volumes are pumped. The maximum perfusion fluid volumes pumped by each of the at least two pumps 3a-b are reduced when compared with the situation in which only one pump is used. Consequently, a more precise perfusion fluid circulation is achieved.

[0050] Furthermore, it has been found out that the consumption of gas by the pneumatic pump is relatively lower when lower perfusion fluid volumes are pumped than when larger volumes are pumped. This allows for a reduction in the total gas consumption by the at least two pumps 3a-b.

[0051] The at least two pumps 3a-b and the control system 10 are configured to switch between a first operation mode in which only part of the at least two pumps 3a-b receive the pulsating gas flow, and a second operation mode in which all of the at least two pumps 3a-b receive the pulsating gas flow. In the situation shown in figure 1 , the at least two pumps 3a-b comprise a first pump 3a and a second pump 3b. Hence, the control system 10 is configured to switch between a first operation mode in which only one of the first pump 3a and the second pump 3b receives the pulsating gas flow, and a second operation mode in which both of the first pump 3a and the second pump 3b receive the pulsating gas flow. It will be clear to the skilled person that this may be applied in a similar in a device 1 according to the invention having more than two pumps 3a-b, such as three or four pumps 3a-b.

[0052] The control system 10 and the at least two pumps 3a-b are configured to produce a perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid 4 with each of the at least two pumps 3a-b of between, and including, 1 ml / min and 600 ml / min. In another embodiment of the device 1 , said perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid 4 with each of the at least two pumps 3a-b may be between, and including 300 ml / min and 400 ml / min. In yet another embodiment of the device 1 , said perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid 4 with each of the at least two pumps 3a-b may be 350 ml / min.

[0053] The control system 10 and the at least two pumps 3a-b are configured to have a total perfusion flow rate of prefusion fluid produced by the at least two pumps 3a-b together. The total perfusion flow rate has a first total perfusion flow rate in the first operation mode and a second total perfusion flow rate in the second operation mode. The second total perfusion flow rate is higher than the first total perfusion flow rate.

[0054] In figure 1, the control system 10, the first pump and the second pump are configured to have a total perfusion flow rate of prefusion fluid produced by the first pump 3a and the second pump 3b together of between, and including, 1 ml / min and 600 ml / min in the first operation mode, and between, and including, 2 ml / min and 1200 ml / min in the second operation mode. In another embodiment of the device 1, said total perfusion flow rate may be between, and including, 300 ml / min and 400 ml / min in the first operation mode, and between, and including, 600 ml / min and 800 ml / min in the second operation mode. In yet another embodiment of the device 1, said total perfusion flow rate may be 350 in the first operation mode and 700 ml / min in the second operation mode.

[0055] The at least valve 9a-b, 11a-b comprises at least one primary valve 9a-b. The control system 10 is configured to control via the at least one primary valve 9a-b a gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow provided to the at least two pumps 3a-b. In figure 1 , the device 1 comprises two primary valves 9a-b. In another embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, only one primary valve 9a-b is provided.

[0056] The control system 10 is configured to adjust the perfusion flow rate of the perfusion fluid 4 circulated by the at least two pumps 3a-b by controlling the gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow via the at least one primary valve 9a-b.

[0057] In figure 1, the device 1 comprises at least two primary valves 9a-b and the control system 10 is configured to individually control via the at least two primary valves 9a-b for each of the at least two pumps 3a-b a gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow provided to said respective pump.

[0058] The at least two pumps 3a-b consist of a pump number (two) of pumps 3a-b. The at least one primary valve 9a-b consist of a primary number (two) of primary valves 9a-b. The pump number equals the primary number. Each of the at least two pumps 3a-b is associated with only one of the at least one primary valve 9a-b and each of the at least one primary valve 9a-b is associated with only one of the at least two pumps 3a-b.

[0059] The control system 10 is configured to individually adjust for each of the at least two pumps 3a-b the prefusion flow rate of the perfusion fluid 4 circulated by said respective pump 3a-b. This allows a circulation of prefusion fluid which is more dedicated to specific needs of the organ or tissue.

[0060] The container conduits 5a-b are in use connected to the organ or tissue. A first container conduit 5a can be connected to an artery of a liver and a second container conduit 5b can be connected to a vein of a liver which is not an artery. The control system 10 is able to provide a first prefusion flow rate to artery of the liver via the first container conduit 5a and a different second perfusion flow rate to the vein via the second container conduit 5b. In the situation where the donor organ to be transported is a kidney, only one of the first container conduit 5a and the second container conduit 5b needs to be used and connected to the artery of the kidney.

[0061] The at least one valve 9a-b, 11 a-b comprises at least one secondary valve 11 a-b provided in the vessel conduits 8a-b for controlling a gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow provided to the at least two pumps 3a-b.

[0062] The control system 10 is configured to adjust a perfusion pressure of the perfusion fluid 4 circulated by the at least two pumps 3a-b by controlling the gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow via the at least one secondary valve 11 a-b.

[0063] In figure 1 , the device 1 comprises at least two secondary valve 11a-bs and the control system 10 is configured to individually control via the at least two secondary valve 11a-bs for each of the pumps 3a-b the gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow provided to said respective pump 3a-b.

[0064] The at least one primary valve 9a-b consists of a primary number being two (or higher) of primary valves 9a-b. The at least one secondary valve 11a-b consists of a secondary number being two (or higher) of secondary valves 11a-b. The primary number equals the secondary number. Each of the at least one primary valve 9a-b is associated with only one of the at least one secondary valve 11a-b and each of the at least one secondary valve 11a-b is associated with only one of the at least two pumps 3a-b.

[0065] The control system 10 is configured to individually adjust for each of the at least two pumps 3a-b the prefusion pressure of the perfusion fluid 4 circulated by said respective pump 3a-b. Hence, the control system 10 is able to provide a first prefusion pressure to artery of the liver via the first container conduit 5a and a different second perfusion pressure to the vein via the second container conduit 5b.

[0066] The device 1 comprises at least one oxygenator 12a-b connected to the vessel conduits 8a-b for in use supplying gas from the at least one gas vessel 7 to the perfusion fluid 4 in the container conduits 5a-b. In figure 1, at least two oxygenator 12a-bs connected to the vessel conduits 8a-b for in use supplying gas from the at least one gas vessel 7 to the perfusion fluid 4 in the container conduits 5a-b. In other embodiments of the device 1 , only one oxygenator 12a-b is connected to the vessel conduits 8a-b.

[0067] The at least two oxygenators 12a-b consist of an oxygenator number (two) of oxygenators 12a-b. The pump number equals the oxygenator number. Each of the at least two pumps 3a-b is associated with only one of the at least two oxygenators 12a-b and each of the at least two oxygenators 12a-b is associated with only one of the at least two pumps 3a-b.

[0068] Each of the at least two oxygenators 12a-b comprises an expansion tank 13a-b configured to maintain a constant gas pressure in the respective vessel conduit.

[0069] Each of the at least two pumps 3a-b comprises a perfusion inlet 15a-b and a perfusion outlet 14a-b. The container conduits 5 comprise at least two dedicated container conduits 27a-b connecting the perfusion outlet 14a-b of one of the at least two pumps 3a-b to the container 2. The at least two dedicated container conduits 27a-b consist of a dedicated container conduit number (two) of dedicated container conduits 27a-b. The pump number equals the dedicated container conduits number. Each of the at least two pumps 3a-b is connected to only one of the at least two dedicated container conduits 27a-b and each of the at least two dedicated container conduits 27a-b is connected to only one of the at least two pumps 3a-b.

[0070] The pressurised gas from the at least one gas vessel 7 preferably comprises oxygen. The pressurised gas may be an oxygen / carbon dioxide gas mixture or any other gas or gas mixture.

[0071] The figure 2 and 3 show a view in perspective of the pump 3a-b of the device 1 of figure 1. The pump 3 is a membrane pump and comprises a membrane 28. The primary valve 9 is fixed to the pump housing 29 of the pump 3. The primary valve 9 has three connectors, namely a first connector 31 , a second connector 32, and a third connector 33. The primary valve 9 can switch between two positions in which two of the three connector 31, 32, 33 are in open connection with one another. The first connector 31 is connected via a vessel conduit section 36 to the combined inlet and outlet 30 of the gas part 34 of the pump 3. The second connector 32 is used to discharge the pressurised gas from the pump 3. The third connector 33 is used to supply the pressurised gas to the pump 3. The first connector 31 is always in open connection with one of the second connector 32 and the third connector 33.

[0072] The pump 3 comprises a perfusion outlet 14 and a perfusion inlet 15. The perfusion fluid 4 is supplied to the fluid part 35 of the pump 3 via the perfusion inlet 15 and leaves the fluid part 35 via the perfusion outlet 14. The pump 3 comprises a fluid reservoir 38 to hold perfusion fluid 4. The gas part 34 of the pump 3 is separated from the fluid part 35 by the membrane 28. In the rest position, the primary valve 9 is switched into a first position in which the first connector 31 is in open connection with the second connector 32 for the discharge of the pressurised gas.

[0073] For driving the pump 3, the primary valve 9 is switched into the second position in which the first connector 31 is in open connection with the third connector 33 to supply the pressurised gas. The pressurised gas flows into the gas part 34 and creates an overpressure in the gas part 34. As a result, the membrane 28 will move upwards. This results in an overpressure in the fluid part 35. Due to a first fluid one-way valve 37, the perfusion fluid 4 located from the fluid reservoir 38 can only flow into (and therefore not out of) the fluid part 34. A second fluid one-way valve 39 ensures that the perfusion fluid 4 can only flow from the fluid part 35 out of the perfusion outlet 14.

[0074] The primary valve 9 is subsequently switched again back into the first position and the pressurised gas will flow out of the gas part 34 via the combined inlet and outlet 30 into the vessel conduit section 36. Said pressurised gas will leave the primary valve 9 via the second connector 32. The membrane 28 will move downwards in the direction of the rest position. This will create an underpressure in the fluid part 35 with respect to the fluid reservoir 38. The first one-way valve 37 will open and the perfusion fluid 4 will flow from the fluid reservoir 38 into the fluid part 35. By repeating the cycle described above, the pump 3 can be used for pumping the perfusion fluid 4.

[0075] The figures 4a and 4b show views in perspective of a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 has a housing 40 comprises a base surface 20, side walls 21 and a cover 22. The device 1 is in use preferably positioned with the base surface 20 on a horizontal support surface. The housing 40 may be made from expanded polystyrene or biofoam.

[0076] A closable opening 41 is provided at the side wall 21 of the housing 40. Items, such as the gas vessel 7 and the battery 17 shown in figure 1 and cooling members, can be positioned in the housing 40 through this opening 41.

[0077] The cover 22 of the housing 40 has been removed in figure 4b. The container cover 42 of the container 2 has been removed to show the inside of the container 2.

[0078] A user interface unit 43 has been provided to interact with the control system 10. Said user interface 43 is electrically connected to the control system 10.

[0079] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0080] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and / or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. , open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

[0081] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the device and method shown in the drawings without departing from the scope as defined in the claims.

[0082] The following items correspond to the reference numbers used in the figures 1 , 2, 3, 4a, and 4b.

[0083] 1. device

[0084] 2. container

[0085] 3. pneumatic pumps

[0086] 4. perfusion fluid

[0087] 5. container conduits

[0088] 6. holder

[0089] 7. gas vessel

[0090] 8. vessel conduits

[0091] 9. primary valve

[0092] 10. control system

[0093] 11. secondary valve

[0094] 12. oxygenator

[0095] 13. expansion tank

[0096] 14. perfusion outlet

[0097] 15. perfusion inlet

[0098] 16. flow rate meter

[0099] 17. battery

[0100] 18. temperature sensor system

[0101] 19. temperature sensor

[0102] 20. base surface

[0103] 21. side wall

[0104] 22. cover 23. database

[0105] 24. pressure sensor system

[0106] 25. pressure sensor

[0107] 26. gas pressure sensor

[0108] 27. dedicated container conduit

[0109] 28. membrane

[0110] 29. pump housing

[0111] 30. combined inlet and outlet

[0112] 31. first connector

[0113] 32. second connector

[0114] 33. third connector

[0115] 34. gas part

[0116] 35. fluid part

[0117] 36. vessel conduit section

[0118] 37. first fluid one-way valve

[0119] 38. fluid reservoir

[0120] 39. second fluid one-way valve

[0121] 40. housing

[0122] 41. closable opening

[0123] 42. container cover

[0124] 43. user interface unit

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device for transporting an organ or tissue, comprising:- a container for containing the organ or tissue,- at least two pneumatic pumps configured to pump a perfusion fluid,- container conduits connected to the at least two pumps for circulating the perfusion fluid through the container,- a holder for holding at least one gas vessel comprising pressurised gas,- vessel conduits for in use connecting the at least one gas vessel to the at least two pumps,- at least one valve provided in the vessel conduits, and- a control system configured to control the at least one valve for providing a pulsating gas flow to the at least two pumps for pumping the perfusion fluid, which control system is operatively coupled to the at least one valve.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least valve comprises at least one primary valve, and the control system is configured to control via the at least one primary valve a gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow provided to the at least two pumps.

3. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve comprises at least two primary valves and the control system is configured to individually control via the at least two primary valves for each of the at least two pumps a gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow provided to said respective pump.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein:- the at least two pumps consist of a pump number, such as two, of pumps,- the at least one primary valve consist of a primary number, such as two, of primary valves,- the pump number equals the primary number, and- each of the at least two pumps is associated with only one of the at least one primary valve and each of the at least one primary valve is associated with only one of the at least two pumps.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control system is configured to adjust a perfusion flow rate of the perfusion fluid circulated by the at least two pumps by controlling the gas frequence of the pulsating gas flow via the at least oneprimary valve.

6. System according to claim 5, and in combination with claim 3 or 4, wherein the control system is configured to individually adjust for each of the at least two pumps the prefusion flow rate of the perfusion fluid circulated by said respective pump.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one valve comprises at least one secondary valve provided in the vessel conduits for controlling a gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow provided to the at least two pumps.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one valve comprises at least two secondary valves and the control system is configured to individually control via the at least two secondary valves for each of the at least two pumps the gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow provided to said respective pump.

9. Device according to claim 8:- the at least one primary valve consists of a primary number being two or higher of primary valves,- the at least one secondary valve consists of a secondary number being two or higher of secondary valves,- the primary number equals the secondary number, and- each of the at least one primary valve is associated with only one of the at least one secondary valve and each of the at least one secondary valve is associated with only one of the at least two pumps.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control system is configured to adjust a perfusion pressure of the perfusion fluid circulated by the at least two pumps by controlling the gas pressure of the pulsating gas flow via the at least one secondary valve.

11. Device according to claim 10 and in combination with claim 8 or 9, wherein the control system is configured to individually adjust for each of the at least two pumps the prefusion pressure of the perfusion fluid circulated by said respective pump.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two pumps and the control system are configured to switch between:- 15 -- a first operation mode in which only part of the at least two pumps receive the pulsating gas flow, and- a second operation mode in which all of the at least two pumps receive the pulsating gas flow.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two pumps comprise a first pump and a second pump, and the control system are configured to switch between:- a first operation mode in which only one of the first pump and second pump receives the pulsating gas flow, and- a second operation mode in which both of the first pump and the second pump receive the pulsating gas flow.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control system and the at least two pumps are configured to produce a perfusion flow rate of perfusion fluid with each of the at least two pumps of:- between, and including, 1 ml / min and 600 ml / min, or- between, and including, 300 ml / min and 400 ml / min, or- 350 ml / min.

15. Device according to any one of the claims 12 - 14, wherein:- the control system and the at least two pumps are configured to have a total perfusion flow rate of prefusion fluid produced by the at least two pumps together,- the total perfusion flow rate has a first total perfusion flow rate in the first operation mode, a second total perfusion flow rate in the second operation mode, and- the second total perfusion flow rate is higher than the first total perfusion flow rate.

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 12 - 15, and in combination with claim 13, wherein the control system, the first pump and the second pump are configured to have a total perfusion flow rate of prefusion fluid produced by the first pump and the second pump together of:- between, and including, 1 ml / min and 600 ml / min, or between, and including, 300 ml / min and 400 ml / min, or 350 ml / min, in the first operation mode, and- between, and including, 2 ml / min and 1200 ml / min, or between, and including, 600 ml / min and 800 ml / min, or 700 ml / min, in the second operation mode.- 16 -17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least one oxygenator connected to the vessel conduits for in use supplying gas from the at least one gas vessel to the perfusion fluid in the container conduits.

18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least two oxygenators connected to the vessel conduits for in use supplying gas from the at least one gas vessel to the perfusion fluid in the container conduits.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein:- the at least two pumps consist of a pump number, such as two, of pumps,- the at least two oxygenators consist of an oxygenator number, such as two, of oxygenators,- the pump number equals the oxygenator number, and- each of the at least two pumps is associated with only one of the at least two oxygenators and each of the at least two oxygenators is associated with only one of the at least two pumps.

20. Device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein each of the at least two oxygenators comprises an expansion tank configured to maintain a constant gas pressure in the respective vessel conduit.

21. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- each of the at least two pumps comprises a perfusion inlet and a perfusion outlet,- the container conduits comprise at least two dedicated container conduits connecting the perfusion outlet of one of the at least two pumps to the container,- the at least two pumps consist of a pump number, such as two, of pumps,- the at least two dedicated container conduits consist of a dedicated container conduit number, such as two, of dedicated container conduits,- the pump number equals the dedicated container conduits number, and- each of the at least two pumps is connected to only one of the at least two dedicated container conduits and each of the at least two dedicated container conduits is connected to only one of the at least two pumps.

22. Method for transporting an organ or tissue, comprising placing an organ or tissue in a container, closing said container and pumping a perfusion fluid as well as a gas, preferably an oxygen- containing gas, into said container, said pumping of the perfusion fluid being caused by a pulsating gas flow of said gas, wherein the pulsating gas flow is- 17 - provided to at least two pneumatic pumps, and each of the at least two pumps circulates the perfusion fluid through the container.

23. Method according to claim 22, each of the at least two pumps is individually controlled.

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