Self-Regulating Flow Valve for Hypothermic Organ Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current organ preservation and transport methods have limitations such as short time windows, imprecision in fluid flow control, reliance on manual monitoring, and inefficiencies in organ perfusion devices, leading to organ wastage and limited availability for transplantation.
Innovation Solution
A system with a flow regulator valve and pressure dampener that maintains consistent fluid flow independent of renal resistance, using a closed-loop system with a peristaltic pump to ensure uniform cooling and flushing of metabolites, reducing pulsation, and providing a sterile, temperature-controlled environment for organ transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current organ perfusion devices use variable pumps to adjust flow rate, then flow rate can be adapted during transport, but imprecision occurs due to lag time and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulator valve is designed to automatically adjust flow rate in response to renal resistance changes without requiring external control signals or manual intervention. The valve self-regulates based on pressure differential across the organ, eliminating lag time and human error while maintaining adaptability to organ conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical pump control system with a simpler passive flow regulator valve that uses elastic membrane deformation and pressure differential to automatically control flow rate. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for variable pump speed control while achieving precise flow regulation
2Reliability
If current organ perfusion devices require manual monitoring and intervention, then temperature and perfusion pressure can be monitored, but staffing challenges arise and transport options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to autonomously maintain perfusion pressure and temperature within acceptable ranges through the self-regulating flow valve and insulated container design. The device monitors and adjusts parameters automatically during transport, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining reliable organ preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a self-contained control system with flow regulator valve and insulated container as intermediaries between the organ and the external environment. These intermediaries automatically manage temperature and pressure, reducing the burden on human operators during transport
3Reliability
If current methods use short transport time windows, then organ viability is maintained, but organ wastage increases and availability for transplantation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes preservation fluid temperature and composition parameters to extend the viable transport time window. By maintaining hypothermic conditions with controlled cooling rates and using optimized preservation solutions, the device extends organ viability from hours to potentially days, reducing wastage while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous perfusion of preservation fluid through the organ during transport, ensuring uninterrupted cooling and metabolite removal. This continuous action maintains organ viability throughout the extended transport period, preventing degradation that would occur with intermittent or stopped perfusion
4Reliability
If current perfusion devices use expensive re-usable capital components and single-use components, then organ perfusion can be performed, but cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable flow regulator valve and single-use components that eliminate the need for expensive re-usable capital equipment. The low-cost disposable components maintain reliable organ perfusion capability while significantly reducing overall system cost, making the technology accessible and cost-efficient
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
Extends the viable transport window for organs, maintaining their health and increasing the pool of available organs for donation by ensuring precise and continuous perfusion without manual intervention, thus improving transplant outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump to pump the preservation fluid
Implementation Method 2
a flow regulator valve configured to release the preservation fluid from the fluid circuit into the transport container at a rate based on renal resistance of the organ
Implementation Method 3
A pressure dampener can be used to provide constant flow, reducing pulsation caused by the peristaltic pump
Implementation Method 4
The systems and methods provide a secure, sterile, and temperature-controlled environment for transporting the samples
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transporting a biological sample at hypothermic temperatures. The container can be cooled using phase change material and pump fluid through the sample. The fluid can pump through the system at a rate independent of the parameters of the biological sample. A valve can control the rate of flow of the fluid into the biological sample.