Kidney Cooling Jacket With Closed-Loop Heat Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for maintaining low graft temperature during kidney transplantation, such as using ice slush, lead to temperature rise and complications like ileus due to systemic hypothermia, making it difficult to keep the graft below 20°C during surgery.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system comprising a heat exchanger, reservoir, and cooling pads with a closed-circuit tubing system, using a customizable cooling jacket with biocompatible layers and electrostatic welds to maintain even temperature distribution and circulation of coolant around the kidney.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ice slush is used to maintain low graft temperature, then the kidney temperature can be kept low, but the temperature rises as ice melts and local systemic hypothermia develops causing ileus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekidney temperatureVSAvoidlocal systemic hypothermia and ileus

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system divides the cooling function into separate modular components: a cooling jacket that contacts the kidney, closed-circuit tubing for coolant circulation, and a heat exchanger. This segmentation allows precise localized cooling of the kidney without cooling the entire abdominal cavity, thereby preventing systemic hypothermia and ileus while maintaining kidney temperature below 20°C

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a closed-circuit cooling system with tubing and heat exchanger as an intermediary between the kidney and the cooling medium. This intermediary system allows controlled coolant circulation directly around the kidney through the jacket, providing precise temperature control without direct contact with ice slush in the abdominal cavity, thus avoiding the harmful effects of uncontrolled hypothermia

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If gauze wrap with ice slush is used, then kidney temperature is maintained low, but it is difficult to change the wrap during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekidney temperatureVSAvoiddifficulty to change gauze wrap

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling jacket is designed as a self-contained system with integrated tubing channels and connection ports that allow the cooling function to be maintained continuously without requiring manual intervention to change wraps. The system circulates coolant through closed loops, automatically maintaining cooling effectiveness throughout the surgical procedure without needing to be replaced or adjusted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If ice slush is added to abdominal cavity to extend hypothermia time, then graft temperature is maintained, but bowel function is affected due to systemic hypothermia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft temperatureVSAvoidbowel function impairment

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling jacket is designed to provide localized cooling specifically to the kidney graft area through direct contact, while leaving the surrounding abdominal cavity and bowel at normal body temperature. The jacket conforms to the kidney shape and creates a localized cold zone only where needed, preserving bowel function while maintaining graft temperature below 20°C throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively maintains the kidney at a temperature below 20°C during surgery, preventing ischemic damage and reducing complications associated with traditional ice slush methods.

Implementation Method 1

The present technology is generally related to device, systems, and methods thereof for cooling a donor organ to be transplanted during a surgical procedure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The cooling system includes of a heat exchanger, a reservoir with a cooling liquid, cooling pads (cooling jacket) and closed-circuit tubing connecting all elements of cooling system with the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12550888B2Kidney cooling system

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 GRENA USA LLC

AI summary

A medical device for thermally treating a donor organ to be transplanted within a patient, comprises a jacket. The jacket includes a first section and a second section adjacent to the first section. The first and second sections are folded about a hinge to form a pocket sized to receive the donor organ. The first and second sections are secured together by a plurality of conjoined weld bar sets. A sling depends from the second section and has a strap. The strap includes a first end portion coupled to the sling, and an opposite second end portion affixed to one set of the plurality of conjoined weld bar sets.