Lung Bioreactor Fluid Exchange for Transplant-Ready Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
The long wait times and high mortality rate for lung transplant patients due to the scarcity of suitable donor organs necessitate the development of bioreactors that can generate and preserve functional lung tissue for transplantation.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system comprising an organ chamber, ingress and egress lines, a controller, and pressure sensors to facilitate fluid exchange and maturation of lung tissue, allowing for the generation and preservation of functional lung tissue through controlled ventilation and perfusion processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional donor organ transplantation is used, then patients can receive functional lung tissue, but wait times are long (two years or more) and mortality rate is high (30%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maturing lung tissue in bioreactors before transplantation. The system prepares functional lung tissue ex vivo in advance, allowing it to be ready for immediate transplantation rather than waiting for donor organs. This pre-maturation process addresses the long wait times and high mortality rates by having viable lung tissue prepared beforehand.
2Productivity
If bioreactor systems are implemented to generate lung tissue, then wait times can be reduced and functional tissue produced, but the system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an organ chamber for housing lung tissue, ingress lines for fluid introduction, egress lines for fluid removal, pumps for fluid control, and sensors for monitoring. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, making the overall complex system manageable and controllable while enabling efficient lung tissue production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through pressure sensors and flow sensors that continuously monitor conditions in the organ chamber. The controller receives data from these sensors and automatically adjusts pump operations and fluid flow rates to maintain optimal conditions for lung tissue maturation. This feedback control simplifies operation of the complex system by automating adjustments based on real-time measurements.
3Manufacturing precision
If controlled fluid exchange and pressure monitoring are implemented, then lung tissue maturation can be optimized, but the number of system components and control mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-directional pump serves multiple functions: it controls both ingress (fluid introduction) and egress (fluid removal) operations, replaces what would otherwise require separate pumps, and can operate in different modes (continuous or intermittent flow). This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining precise control over fluid exchange and pressure conditions for optimal lung tissue maturation.
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 system enables the production of functional lung tissue for transplantation, reducing wait times and potentially saving lives by providing a viable alternative to traditional donor organs.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber pressure sensor connected to the organ chamber, wherein the chamber pressure sensor is configured to record and transmit the chamber pressure to the controller
Implementation Method 2
the ingress pump, the egress pump, or both is a bi-directional pump
Implementation Method 3
the controller is configured to control fluid exchange between the organ chamber and the reservoir system through the ingress line and the egress line
Data Source
AI summary
Presented is an airway organ bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use thereof, as well as bioartificial airway organs produced using the methods, and methods of treating subjects using the bioartificial airway organs. The bioreactor comprises: an organ chamber: an ingres line connecting the organ chamber and a reservoir system and comprising an arterial line, a venous line and a tracheal line; an egress line connecting the chamber and the reservoir system, pumps in ingress and egress lines; a controller to control fluid exchange; a chamber pressure sensor connected to the organ chamber.