Concentric UV Irradiation Apparatus for Perfusion Fluid Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is an insufficient number of suitable donor organs for transplantation, particularly due to the high risk of microorganism transmission, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), from donor lungs to recipients.
Innovation Solution
The use of ex vivo perfusion (EVP) combined with light therapy, specifically UVC irradiation or photodynamic therapy (PDT), to inactivate microorganisms in the perfusate of donor organs, thereby reducing the viral or bacterial load and increasing organ availability for transplantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If donor organs from HCV+ donors are used for transplantation, then organ availability increases, but the risk of virus transmission to recipients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing UVC irradiation or photodynamic therapy on the donor organ before transplantation to inactivate viruses and microorganisms in advance, thereby reducing transmission risk while maintaining organ availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of light (which can damage biological tissues) into a beneficial effect by using controlled UVC irradiation or photodynamic therapy to inactivate pathogens, transforming a potential harm into a protective measure that enables safer organ transplantation
2Reliability
If light therapy (UVC irradiation or PDT) is applied to inactivate microorganisms in perfusate, then virus inactivation efficacy increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the main EVLP system by using an external irradiation device that can be applied to the organ or perfusate separately, thereby reducing the complexity of the integrated system while maintaining inactivation efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by employing a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy that mediates between the light source and the virus, allowing indirect inactivation through reactive oxygen species generation, which reduces direct exposure complexity
3Reliability
If ex vivo perfusion is used to treat donor organs, then organ viability assessment and treatment capability improve, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the virus inactivation process with the existing EVLP treatment protocol, allowing simultaneous organ assessment and pathogen inactivation during the same perfusion period, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing treatment time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively decreases and/or inactivates microorganisms in donor organs, enhancing their safety for transplantation and potentially increasing the number of available organs by reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a UV radiation-emitting device disposed inside the second chamber for providing irradiation to the perfusate
Implementation Method 2
providing a photosensitizer in the perfusate and providing irradiation to the perfusate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for irradiating a perfusate. The apparatus includes a tank which defines a first chamber. A separator is located inside the first chamber. The separator defines a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are concentric and have substantially annular cross sections, each having at least one diameter and a substantially common longitudinal axis. A perfusate is introduced into the first chamber by an inlet. A UV radiation-emitting device is disposed inside the second chamber for providing irradiation to the perfusate. Irradiated perfusate is removed from the tank by an outlet. Other apparatuses and systems are described and methods for inactivating micro organisms by performing EVP and irradiating the perfusate.