Drop-In Organ Perfusion Cassette for Error-Free Transport Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organ preservation devices are difficult to set up efficiently and accurately due to manual connections that can cause user errors, leading to deformation, tubing leaks, and operational challenges, and are cumbersome to transport via commercial cargo.

Innovation Solution

A portable organ preservation and transportation device with a removably connectable cassette that automatically connects to a base, featuring a cassette interface for seamless integration of mechanical, thermal, and electrical components, allowing for easy setup and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual connections are used to secure the disposable sterile perfusion circuit to the pump deck, then the organ preservation device can be operated, but user errors occur leading to deformation, tubing leaks, and occlusions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsetup ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: a reusable base station and a disposable cassette unit. The cassette contains pre-connected tubing and circuitry that interfaces with the base station through a standardized connector, eliminating manual assembly of complex tubing connections while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable cassette is pre-assembled with all tubing connections, sterile barriers, and perfusion circuit components factory-prepared and pre-connected. This preliminary assembly ensures proper connection geometry and eliminates user errors during setup, while the entire cassette can be quickly swapped into the base station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If manual connections are required for setup, then the device can be assembled, but setup time increases and user training becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice assemblyVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates complex manufacturing tasks (performed factory-prepared in the disposable cassette) from simple user tasks (inserting the pre-assembled cassette into the base station). This segmentation reduces setup time while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable cassette is designed as a self-contained, pre-assembled unit that requires no manual connection steps by the user. The cassette automatically interfaces with the base station through a foolproof connector design, eliminating the need for user training on complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the organ preservation device is designed for full functionality, then it can perform machine perfusion, but it cannot be transported via commercial cargo

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport flexibilityVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a reusable base station (containing pumps and electronics) and a disposable cassette (containing the organ chamber and sterile circuit). The cassette is designed to be airline-cargo compliant while the base station remains stationary, enabling transport flexibility without sacrificing machine perfusion functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable cassette is designed as a single-use, lightweight component that meets airline cargo requirements. After use, the entire cassette is discarded rather than reused, eliminating the need for heavy-duty reusable containers and enabling compliant transportation while maintaining full machine perfusion capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 device reduces user errors and setup time, ensures thermal uniformity, and allows in-cabin transport of organs, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a reusable ice chamber positioned in the base station... to maintain organ hypothermia during perfusion or failsafe static storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

maintain organ hypothermia during perfusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20260047571A1Drop-in cassette for machine preservation and transportation of organs for transplant

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 NORTHERNMOST MEDICAL DEVICES INC

AI summary

An apparatus for perfusing and transporting an organ for transplant. The apparatus includes a base, a cassette removably connectable to the base, the cassette including an organ supporting chamber adapted to sterilely store and transport the organ, a cassette interface, and a pump connected to the cassette interface. Responsive to the cassette engaging the cassette interface, the cassette is automatically connected to the pump via the cassette interface and the apparatus is fully operational.