Normothermic Organ Perfusion Device with Artificial Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current organ preservation methods fail to maintain organs in a functional state and are limited by ischaemia-reperfusion damage, making them incompatible with sub-optimal organs, thus restricting the number of organs available for transplantation.
Innovation Solution
An organ perfusion device that maintains organs at normothermic conditions (37°C) with oxygenated and physiologically relevant haemodynamic conditions, using a perfusion circuit with sensors and a control unit to manage temperature, flow, and nutrient supply, and includes an independent heat supply and artificial vision system for monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If cold storage at 4°C is used to preserve organs, then the organ can be preserved for extended periods with reduced metabolic activity, but the organ is damaged due to ischaemia-reperfusion damage and is not maintained in a functional state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from cold storage (4°C) to normothermic conditions (37°C), and changes the perfusion state from static cold storage to dynamic normothermic perfusion with oxygenated blood, thereby maintaining organ functionality while extending preservation time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous normothermic perfusion with oxygenated blood to maintain continuous metabolic activity and organ functionality throughout the preservation period, replacing the discontinuous metabolic shutdown of cold storage
2Reliability
If normothermic perfusion is used to maintain organ functionality, then the organ remains in a functional state with unaltered metabolic activity, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses oxygenated blood that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides oxygen for metabolism, removes waste products, maintains haemodynamic conditions, and provides nutritional substrates, thereby reducing the need for multiple separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple preservation functions (oxygen supply, waste removal, temperature maintenance, haemodynamic support, and nutrient provision) into a single integrated normothermic perfusion system using oxygenated blood
3Device complexity
If cold storage is used to reduce oxygen needs by 90%, then the organ can be preserved without complex support systems, but the organ suffers severe damages in oxygen lack situation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of oxygen deprivation into a beneficial state by providing continuous oxygen supply through normothermic perfusion, thereby preventing ischaemia damage while maintaining organ functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxygen supply parameter from oxygen deprivation (cold storage) to continuous oxygenation (normothermic perfusion), thereby eliminating ischaemia damage while maintaining simpler preservation conditions
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
This approach allows for the preservation of organs in a fully functional state, enabling the use of sub-optimal organs and reducing transplantation costs by improving organ quality and logistics, thus increasing the number of transplanted organs and reducing waiting lists.
Implementation Method 1
The device also comprises a heating system for the container
Implementation Method 2
a perfusion circuit to which the organ is connected, through which the perfusion fluid and the substances needed for organ preservation are pumped
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Organ perfusion device. It comprises a container (1) to host the organ (8) and a perfusion circuit connected to the organ (8) through which a perfusion fluid is pumped. The container (1) geometry ensures that the contact surface of the organ (8) with the container is minimised and that the perfusion fluid does not cover the visible surface of the organ (8). Moreover, it comprises an artificial vision system with at least one camera (4) oriented to take images of the organ (8) that allow controlling its colour during perfusion, a plurality of sensors that capture the conditions of the organ (8) and the perfusion fluid, and a control unit that receives information from the sensors and the artificial vision system and controls the functioning parameters of the perfusion circuit.