Cross-Circulation Organ Support for Extended Normothermic Perfusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current organ preservation techniques, particularly for organs like lungs, are limited by the duration of ex vivo storage, which often results in damage due to ischemia, and lack the ability to maintain physiologic homeostasis, restricting the number of transplantable organs and recipients, and precluding effective compatibility testing and therapeutic interventions.

Innovation Solution

A system for normothermic extracorporeal support using cross-circulation perfusion, connecting the host vasculature directly with the extracorporeal organ, allowing for prolonged (days to weeks) maintenance and functional support through auto-regulated blood flow, temperature control, and integrated monitoring 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 increases and storage duration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan storage 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 to normothermic conditions, and changes the preservation medium from chemical solution to physiological buffer, thereby reducing ischemia damage while extending storage duration to several days

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a physiological buffer solution as an intermediary medium that mimics in vivo conditions, providing a more favorable environment for organ preservation compared to traditional chemical preservation solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional EVLP systems are used, then marginal donor lungs can be recovered, but the number of recoverable lungs remains limited and waitlist mortality rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedonor lung recoveryVSAvoidnumber of transplantable lungs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal platform that can support multiple organ types (lungs, hearts, livers, kidneys) simultaneously under normothermic conditions, expanding the pool of transplantable organs beyond what conventional single-organ EVLP systems can achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If cold ischemic organ preservation is used, then organ transport is enabled, but compatibility testing and therapeutic interventions are precluded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan transportVSAvoidcompatibility testing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary actions such as compatibility testing, functional assessment, and therapeutic interventions to be performed on organs during extended normothermic preservation before transplantation, which are impossible with cold ischemic storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 viability and functional maintenance of organs, facilitating therapeutic interventions and expanded transplantable organ pools, with successful maintenance of lung function for up to 36 hours, overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

The connection is made directly between the host vasculature and the extracorporeal organ, and the circuit comprises auto-regulation of blood flow based on the trans-organ pressure gradient between arterial and venous pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

maintaining the extracorporeal organ, tissue or bioengineered graft within a temperature range of from 4° C. to 40° C., such as from 30° C. to 40° C. or from 35° C. to 40° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS12446572B2Cross-circulation platform for recovery, regeneration, and maintenance of extracorporeal organs

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 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.