Organ Preservation via Subzero Non-Freezing Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preserving organs for transplantation are limited, as organs can only be kept viable for a short time before deterioration occurs, even with cold storage, leading to a shortage of available organs for transplantation.
Innovation Solution
A method and assay for assessing organ viability by measuring energy levels, such as ATP content, to predict transplant success and determine optimal preservation and storage protocols, combined with techniques like perfusion, metabolic suppression, and sub-zero non-freezing storage to extend organ viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organs are stored at cold temperatures to maintain viability, then cell deterioration is reduced, but cellular damage including reduced energy generation and cell swelling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional cold storage (0-4°C) to subzero non-freezing storage (below 0°C but above freezing point), creating a new thermal state that reduces metabolic activity while avoiding the harmful effects of hypothermic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The organ is perfused with a preservation solution containing metabolic suppressants before storage, preparing the organ in advance to withstand the extended storage period by reducing its metabolic demand and protecting against cellular damage
2Duration of action of stationary object
If organs are stored for extended periods to increase availability, then more organs can be transplanted, but cell and tissue deterioration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the storage duration by changing the temperature parameter to subzero non-freezing conditions and adjusting the chemical composition of the preservation solution to include metabolic suppressants, allowing storage times to exceed conventional limits while maintaining viability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs viability assessment methods to monitor organ status during storage, using feedback information to determine when and how to intervene to maintain or restore viability, enabling extended storage with quality control
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cold storage is used to preserve organs, then oxygen deprivation effects are counteracted, but metabolic activity and energy generation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The organ is perfused with a preservation solution containing metabolic suppressants and protective agents before storage, preparing the organ in advance to reduce its oxygen demand and protect cellular structures during the extended storage period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature to subzero non-freezing conditions and adjusts the chemical environment to create a state of reduced metabolic activity, thereby reducing oxygen consumption while maintaining cellular integrity
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 reliable prediction of organ viability and extends the preservation time of organs, increasing the availability of viable organs for transplantation and reducing organ-related deaths.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the organ with a medium comprising a supercooling agent; cooling the organ to a sub-zero temperature, but not freezing the organ
Implementation Method 2
methods and compositions for preserving tissues and organs... preserving the viability of organs and storing the organs for extended periods of time whereby they remain viable by metabolic suppression
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions to determine viability of an organ for transplantation and other medical purposes. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for assessing the viability of an organ by measuring the energy parameters to determine the energy level of the organ by determining the stored cellular energy (e.g., ATP levels), and/or energy consumption over a particular time period of viability. The energy parameters can be compared to reference energy parameters as a highly accurate and reliable prediction of viable cell yield, and organ viability. Another aspect of the invention relates methods to preserve or extend the time period of viability of an organ any combination of (i) preservation perfusion of the organ to prevent ischemic damage, (ii) chemical metabolic suppression of the organ e.g., using metabolic suppressants, (iii) metabolic suppression by physical or environmental conditions, e.g., sub-zero non-freezing storage.