System for processing an organ preparatory to transplant
US4473637A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1982 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01N1/143
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system for processing an organ such as a kidney so as to render it suitable for storage, shipment and eventual transplantation. After its removal from a donor, the organ is cradled in a net suspended within a basin. A preservative fluid initially at normal blood temperatures progressively cooled to avoid thermal shock, the fluid being pumped through the organ to flush out its natural fluids. The pumping action is such as to simulate that of the heart and its associated circulatory system. The exterior of the organ is chilled by simultaneously introducing the preservative fluid into the basin. After this chilling procedure is completed, the cradle carrying the cooled organ is transferred to a basin disposed in a thermally-insulated shipping box which is then filled with chilled preservative fluid and maintained at a desired low temperature level by an associated refrigeration unit. Just prior to transplantation, the cradle carrying the organ is removed from the box and the organ is again flushed, using the same procedure as in chilling but in reverse, the preservative fluid being raised to a temperature level close to normal blood temperature. Upon completion of this procedure, th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.