Cross-Circulation Perfusion for Long-Term Extracorporeal Lung Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current organ preservation techniques, particularly for lungs, are limited by the duration of ex vivo storage, which often results in organ damage and restricts the number of recipients who can receive a transplant, and lack the ability to maintain physiologic homeostasis, limiting therapeutic interventions.

Innovation Solution

A system for normothermic extracorporeal support using cross-circulation perfusion that connects the host vasculature directly with the extracorporeal organ, maintaining optimal vascular gradients and temperature control, allowing for extended organ preservation and therapeutic interventions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If hypothermic storage in chemical preservation solution is used, then organ storage is possible, but organ damage from ischemia occurs and preservation duration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan preservation durationVSAvoidischemia damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from hypothermic (cold) storage to normothermic (physiologic temperature) preservation. By maintaining the organ at physiological temperature with continuous perfusion of oxygenated blood or blood substitute, the organ remains metabolically active without ischemic damage, resolving the contradiction between preservation duration and ischemia damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical preservation solution system with a dynamic perfusion system that delivers oxygen and nutrients continuously. This substitution transforms static chemical preservation into dynamic physiological perfusion, eliminating ischemia while extending preservation duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If cross-circulation perfusion is used, then prolonged organ preservation with maintained function is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan preservation durationVSAvoidperfusion system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal perfusion system that can maintain multiple organs simultaneously through a single cross-circulation circuit. The system is designed to be adaptable to different organ types (heart, lung, liver, kidney) using the same basic perfusion principles, reducing overall system complexity while achieving prolonged preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mediator substance (oxygenated blood or blood substitute) that carries oxygen and nutrients to the extracorporeal organ. This intermediary enables prolonged preservation without requiring direct connection to a donor organ, simplifying the system architecture while maintaining organ function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables prolonged (days to weeks) preservation of organs with maintained viability and function, facilitating therapeutic interventions and expanding the donor organ pool.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining the extracorporeal organ in a temperature range of from 30° C. to 40° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal regulation: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

maintaining desired trans-organ vascular pressure gradient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20260033484A1Cross-circulation platform for recovery, regeneration, and maintenance of extracorporeal organs

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIV IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

AI summary

Described are systems, methods, and devices relating to normothermic extracorporeal support of an organ, tissue, or bioengineered graft comprising cross-circulation (XC) perfusion for prolonged periods (days to weeks) via an XC perfusion circuit in connection with an extracorporeal host (e.g., animal, patient, organ transplant recipient) are disclosed. The XC perfusion circuit comprises auto-regulation of blood flow based on the trans-organ blood pressure difference between arterial and venous pressure. Recipient support enabled 36 h of normothermic perfusion that maintained healthy lungs with no significant changes in physiologic parameters and allowed for the recovery of injured lungs. Extended support enabled multiscale therapeutic interventions in all extracorporeal lungs. Lungs exceeded transplantation criteria.