Actuator Platform Mimics Organ Motion for Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for testing medical devices and therapies using isolated organs are costly and limited in their ability to accurately mimic physiological conditions, leading to reduced efficacy in device evaluation and clinician training.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a pump to generate fluid flow, a container to maintain environmental conditions, a fluid circuit to perfuse organs, and actuators to mimic biological movements, allowing for the simulation of physiological conditions and therapies in a controlled environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If isolated organs are used for testing medical devices and therapies, then device evaluation and clinician training can be performed, but the systems are costly and limited in their ability to accurately mimic physiological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs actuators to dynamically move the platform supporting the organ, mimicking physiological movements such as respiratory motion. This dynamic capability allows the system to accurately replicate changing physiological conditions rather than maintaining static environments, thereby improving reliability of simulation without requiring excessively complex fixed infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The perfusion system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: fluid perfusion delivery, environmental condition control (temperature, humidity), and mechanical movement simulation. This multi-functionality allows accurate physiological simulation while avoiding the need for multiple separate complex systems, addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Productivity
If current perfusion systems are used for medical device evaluation, then testing can be conducted, but the evaluation is costly and time-consuming with reduced efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors to monitor physiological parameters of the perfused organ and feeds this information back to control systems. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of perfusion conditions and platform movement to maintain optimal physiological simulation, thereby improving both the efficacy of device evaluation and the efficiency of testing by preventing wasted experiments on non-physiological conditions
Solution Approach 2:
By dynamically adjusting perfusion rates, environmental conditions, and platform position based on real-time physiological feedback, the system optimizes evaluation efficiency. This dynamic adaptation ensures that device testing occurs under truly representative physiological conditions, improving both productivity and reliability simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A system is configured to perfuse one or more organs and/or associated tissues while monitoring the physiological function, testing medical devices or therapies, or both. The system includes a pump, a container, a fluid circuit, a platform, and at least one actuator. The pump is configured to generate a flow of a fluid. The container defines an interior cavity and is configured to receive at least one organ or tissue and maintain at least one environmental condition associated with the at least one organ or tissue within the interior cavity. The fluid circuit is configured to fluidically couple the pump to the at least one organ or tissue. The platform is operably coupled to the container. The at least one actuator is configured to move the platform to mimic at least one biological movement associated with the at least one organ or tissue.