Normothermic Lung Perfusion Solution for Extended Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current organ preservation techniques, particularly for lungs, involve hypothermic storage that leads to tissue damage from ischemia, limiting transplantable time to 6-8 hours and restricting recipient pools, and preclude ex-vivo assessment, resulting in suboptimal transplants.
Innovation Solution
A method and solution for ex-vivo lung perfusion at near-physiologic conditions using a lung OCS perfusion solution containing energy-rich nutrients, therapeutics, and vasodilators, maintained at physiological temperature, allowing extended maintenance and functional assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If hypothermic storage is used for organ preservation, then the organ can be stored for extended periods, but tissue damage from ischemia increases and transplantable time is limited to 6-8 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from hypothermic (cold) storage to normothermic (physiological temperature) perfusion. The perfusion solution is maintained at physiological temperature (37°C or near body temperature) rather than cold temperatures, fundamentally altering the storage conditions to prevent ischemic damage while extending viable storage time beyond 6-8 hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical cold storage system with an active perfusion system that circulates oxygenated perfusion solution through the organ. This substitution introduces continuous oxygen delivery and metabolic support, replacing the static cold storage mechanism with a dynamic life-sustaining system.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If cold preservation solution is used, then the organ can be preserved ex-vivo, but the ability to evaluate and assess the organ is precluded
Solution Approach 1:
The organ performs its own physiological functions (oxygen consumption, CO2 production, metabolic activity) during normothermic perfusion, allowing real-time assessment of its functional status. The organ essentially serves itself by maintaining metabolic activity that can be measured and evaluated, providing continuous feedback on organ health and viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by measuring oxygen consumption and other metabolic parameters of the perfused organ. These measurements provide real-time information about organ function and viability, enabling continuous assessment and adjustment of perfusion conditions to maintain optimal organ status.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If hypothermic storage is used, then the organ can be transported, but the recipient pool is restricted due to limited transplantable time
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from cold storage to normothermic perfusion, the patent extends the transport time window significantly. Organs can be transported for much longer durations (potentially 24 hours or more) while maintaining viability, allowing recipients to be located much farther from donor sites and dramatically expanding the potential recipient pool.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cold preservation is used, then the organ can be stored, but less-than-optimal organs may be transplanted resulting in post-transplant dysfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The normothermic perfusion system provides continuous feedback on organ function through measurement of oxygen consumption, metabolic rate, and other physiological parameters. This allows identification and exclusion of marginal or damaged organs before transplantation, ensuring only high-quality organs are transplanted and significantly improving post-transplant success rates.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of producing a perfusion solution comprising combining pre-weighed amounts of a nutrient, a colloid, a hormone, a steroid, a buffer, magnesium sulfate anhydrate, and at least one of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and a nitrate to form a solution for perfusing a lung at near physiologic conditions.