Abstract: An apparatus (1) for ex-vivo measurement of performance of a donor heart (2) has a heart holder (6) in a receptacle (7) for holding a human donor heart and a bag (17) for placement into a left ventricle of the heart. The bag has a bag interior space communicating with an interior space of a fluid tight, compressible and expandable container (19. The apparatus further includes a sensor (21) for measuring compression and expansion of the container. Using the apparatus cardiac outwit can be measured by measuring expansion and contraction of the container. A method for ex-vivo measurement of performance of a donor heart is also described. The method may include controlling the preload and/or the afterload.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for machine perfusion of an organ that includes a chamber including an organ support platform for supporting an organ and a perfusion circuit for providing an oxygenated perfusion fluid to the organ and carrying oxygen-depleted perfusion fluid away from the organ. The organ support platform includes perforations for fluid drainage. In some examples, the organ support platform is substantially horizontal. The device also includes a pump for circulating the perfusion fluid through the perfusion circuit, an oxygenating device in the perfusion circuit to oxygenate the perfusion fluid, and a temperature regulator for controlling the temperature of the perfusion fluid in the perfusion circuit. The device in some examples also includes a vascular perfusion cannula through which the perfusion fluid can flow to an organ placed on the organ support platform. Also disclosed are methods of perfusing an organ utilizing the machine perfusion devices.

Abstract: A donor organ treatment apparatus has a container for holding an organ and a perfusion liquid circuit. The perfusion circuit includes a supply conduit downstream of an oxygenator and a heat exchanger for supplying perfusion liquid from the oxygenator and the heat exchanger to an organ in the container and a return conduit upstream of the oxygenator and the heat exchanger for guiding perfusion liquid from the organ inside the container to the oxygenator and the heat exchanger. The supply conduit is provided with an outlet port coupling for connection to a perfusion catheter and the return conduit is provided with an inlet port coupling for connection to a return catheter. A method for successively perfusing an organ in-situ and ex-vivo with liquid circulating through the same perfusion circuit is also described.

Abstract: An organ transport container system for storing and transporting therein an organ coupled to a perfusion system for preserving the viability of the organ for implantation by perfusing the organ with a perfusion liquid. The container system includes a cartridge for carrying the organ and a receptacle for holding a volume of the perfusion liquid and for removably holding therein the cartridge in a transport position. The cartridge has a holder for supporting the organ and relay conduit extending between an artery connector for sealingly connecting the relay conduit to an artery of the organ in the holder and an inlet. An outlet of a passage through the receptacle wall or bottom and the inlet are positioned and arranged such that the outlet and the inlet are sealingly coupled to each other when the cartridge is brought in the transport position, for allowing preservation liquid supplied via the supply conduit to be relayed to the artery via the relay conduit when the cartridge is in the transport position.

Abstract: A donor organ treatment apparatus has a container for holding an organ and a perfusion liquid circuit. The perfusion circuit includes a supply conduit downstream of an oxygenator and a heat exchanger for supplying perfusion liquid from the oxygenator and the heat exchanger to an organ in the container and a return conduit upstream of the oxygenator and the heat exchanger for guiding perfusion liquid from the organ inside the container to the oxygenator and the heat exchanger. The supply conduit is provided with an outlet port coupling for connection to a perfusion catheter and the return conduit is provided with an inlet port coupling for connection to a return catheter. A method for successively perfusing an organ in-situ and ex-vivo with liquid circulating through the same perfusion circuit is also described.

Abstract: For post-mortem prolongation of the viability of an organ (7, 8, 50, 51) in a donor body, a flow of a solution is introduced from outside the body between a pair of barriers (21, 22) and a return flow including previously introduced quantities of the solution is led to the outside of the body. During a flushing phase, the flow including blood flushed out of the organ (7, 8, 50, 51) is discharged to a drain. Subsequently during a recirculation phase, solution returned from the body is cooled and/or oxygenated and recirculated from outside the body back into the body between the barriers. A system for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: An organ transport container system for storing and transporting therein an organ coupled to a perfusion system for preserving the viability of the organ for implantation by perfusing the organ with a perfusion liquid. The container system includes a cartridge for carrying the organ and a receptacle for holding a volume of the perfusion liquid and for removably holding therein the cartridge in a transport position. The cartridge has a holder for supporting the organ and relay conduit extending between an artery connector for sealingly connecting the relay conduit to an artery of the organ in the holder and an inlet. An outlet of a passage through the receptacle wall or bottom and the inlet are positioned and arranged such that the outlet and the inlet are sealingly coupled to each other when the cartridge is brought in the transport position, for allowing preservation liquid supplied via the supply conduit to be relayed to the artery via the relay conduit when the cartridge is in the transport position.

Abstract: A portable preservation apparatus of the cold storage type for a donor organ, comprising a cooling box provided with an organ chamber for receiving a donor organ in preservative fluid and a lid, wherein, on the side which operatively faces the organ chamber, the lid is provided with a connector which is detachably connected to the lid, which connector is provided with passages for one or more connecting pieces connected with the donor organ and one or more pipes connected with at least one perfusion pump, wherein the at least one perfusion pump is a miniature pump mounted at least partly in the lid and wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one oxygenator, an oxygen container, one or more electronic modules and a power supply module.

Abstract: For post-mortem prolongation of the viability of an organ (7, 8, 50, 51) in a donor body, a flow of a solution is introduced from outside the body between a pair of barriers (21, 22) and a return flow including previously introduced quantities of the solution is led to the outside of the body. During a flushing phase, the flow including blood flushed out of the organ (7, 8, 50, 51) is discharged to a drain. Subsequently during a recirculation phase, solution returned from the body is cooled and/or oxygenated and recirculated from outside the body back into the body between the barriers. A system for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A portable preservation apparatus of the cold storage type for a donor organ, comprising a cooling box provided with an organ chamber for receiving a donor organ in preservative fluid and a lid, wherein, on the side which operatively faces the organ chamber, the lid is provided with a connector which is detachably connected to the lid, which connector is provided with passages for one or more connecting pieces connected with the donor organ and one or more pipes connected with at least one perfusion pump, wherein the at least one perfusion pump is a miniature pump mounted at least partly in the lid and wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one oxygenator, an oxygen container, one or more electronic modules and a power supply module.

Abstract: A catheter pump includes a displacement structure and a catheter. The catheter has an inlet in its distal end portion and an outlet spaced from the distal end portion. The displacement structure alternatingly applies suction for displacing fluid from the catheter to the displacement structure and pressure for displacing fluid from the displacement structure to the catheter. By inserting a distal end portion of the catheter into the aorta, pulsations can be applied to the blood pressure in the aorta. By applying pulsations, perfusion of the organs can be improved.

Abstract: A prosthesis for placement in the area of the pharynx, an upper region of the trachea (1) or in a wall (5) between the esophagus (4) and an upper region of the trachea (1) is provided with an air passage (16; 46) and a vibrating element (17, 18; 47; 77; 107, 108) for vibrating air. Because the prosthesis is provided with a stop (20, 21; 56-58; 110, 111) for abruptly impeding the movability of the vibrating element (17, 18; 47; 77; 107, 108) in at least one position, sound with a broad spectrum of frequencies is produced which, when speaking, can be effectively converted into the desired sounds. This ensures a highly improved understandability and a more natural voice. According to a practical possibility, the voice prosthesis is incorporated in a one-way valve as a modular part.

Abstract: A prosthesis for placement in the area of the pharynx, an upper region of the trachea or in a wall between the esophagus and an upper region of the trachea is provided with an air passage and a vibrating element for vibrating air. Because the prosthesis is provided with a stop for abruptly impeding the movability of the vibrating element in at least one position, sound with a broad spectrum of frequencies is produced which, when speaking, can be effectively converted into the desired sounds. This ensures a highly improved understandability and a more natural voice. According to a practical possibility, the voice prosthesis is incorporated in a one-way valve as a modular part.

Abstract: A catheter pump includes a displacement structure and a catheter. The catheter has an inlet in its distal end portion and an outlet spaced from the distal end portion. The displacement structure alternatingly applies suction for displacing fluid from the catheter to the displacement structure and pressure for displacing fluid from the displacement structure to the catheter. By inserting a distal end portion of the catheter into the aorta, pulsations can be applied to the blood pressure in the aorta. By applying pulsations, perfusion of the organs can be improved.