Low Fluid Level Detection With Secondary-Chamber Cold Storage Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine perfusion devices fail to ensure static cold storage as a reliable backup option in case of leaks or malfunctions, compromising the viability of organs or tissues.
Innovation Solution
A portable housing with a secondary chamber within a main chamber, where the secondary chamber has a lower volume and is positioned below the main chamber, along with a standpipe that maintains a fixed position, ensuring that even in the event of a leak, the device can revert to static cold storage by detecting air ingress and stopping perfusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cooled perfusate reservoir is used to provide backup static cold storage functionality, then the device can revert to static cold storage in case of machine perfusion failure, but the backup static cold storage may be compromised in case of a leak of the cold liquid perfusate outside the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the perfusate storage into two separate chambers: a main chamber for machine perfusion and a secondary chamber for static cold storage backup. The secondary chamber is positioned below the main chamber and has a smaller volume. This segmentation ensures that a leak in the main chamber does not compromise the secondary chamber, as they are physically separated compartments within the same container housing.
2Loss of substance
If the secondary chamber volume is reduced to minimize perfusate loss during leaks, then less perfusate is available for backup static cold storage, but the device may still maintain viability for shorter durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the secondary chamber below the main chamber and includes an air detection system that activates before the perfusate level drops completely. When air enters the secondary chamber through the tube, it triggers an alarm and automatically switches the pump to reverse direction to refill the secondary chamber from the main chamber. This preliminary action ensures the secondary chamber is replenished before complete depletion occurs, maintaining adequate backup volume for static cold storage.
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
The solution effectively maintains hypothermic conditions for organs or tissues during transport by ensuring a backup to static cold storage, preventing temperature rise and ensuring organ viability even in the event of leaks or malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid perfusate for the organ or tissue may be located in the main chamber and above a top of the secondary chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A portable housing for holding an organ or tissue for at least one of perfusion, storage, diagnosis, and transport of the organ or tissue includes a main chamber within which the organ or tissue and a liquid perfusate for the organ or tissue may be located, and it also includes a secondary chamber that is within the main chamber and that is for holding the liquid perfusate. A volume of the secondary chamber is less than a volume of the main chamber, and a top of the secondary chamber is below a top of the main chamber.