Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed. The system employs an organ chamber comprising an oxygenator in the perfusion fluid paths for controlling respiratory gases. The oxygenator may contain three pouches for gaseous exchange of the perfusion solution. A controlled gassing subsystem for regulating respiratory gases and maintaining the pH of the perfusion solution is also employed by the system and delivers oxygen and carbon dioxide to the pouches of the oxygenator. The organ chamber additionally includes a perfusion subsystem including the perfusion fluid paths, a container for holding the organ in the perfusion fluid paths with one or more perfusion solution inlets. The organ chamber may additionally include a conduit for receiving venous outflow of perfusion solution and preventing its contact with the outer surfaces of the organ.

Abstract: A warm perfusion system that has the ability to support a tissue or organ at a near normal metabolic rate provides the mechanism not only for restored oxidative metabolism of the organ but for the delivery of cells, cell-based therapeutics, and growth and differentiation factors to a damaged tissue or organ. Subsequent to delivery of therapeutic cells, such as stem cells or progenitor cells, to the damaged organ, the cells can be prompted to grow, multiply and differentiate, thereby restoring damaged tissue.

Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed that employs a warm perfusion solution capable of altering the production of nitric oxide (NO) in an organ or tissue and supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue at normothermic temperatures. Perfusion with the solution of the invention, therefore, can be used to regulate nitric oxide production in situations where it is desirable to do so, for example, to prevent reperfusion injury. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and nitric oxide (NO) concentration and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed. The system employs a warm perfusion solution capable of supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue thereby preserving its functional integrity. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions. Use of the system for long-term maintenance of organs for transplantation, for resuscitation and repair of organs having sustained warm ischemic damage, as a pharmaceutical delivery system and prognosticator of posttransplantation organ function is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed. The system employs a warm perfusion solution capable of supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue thereby preserving its functional integrity. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions. Use of the system for long-term maintenance of organs for transplantation, for resuscitation and repair of organs having sustained warm ischemic damage, as a pharmaceutical delivery system and prognosticator of posttransplantation organ function is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed that employs a warm perfusion solution capable of altering the production of nitric oxide (NO) in an organ or tissue and supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue at normothermic temperatures. Perfusion with the solution of the invention, therefore, can be used to regulate nitric oxide production in situations where it is desirable to do so, for example, to prevent reperfusion injury. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and nitric oxide (NO) concentration and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed. The system employs a warm perfusion solution capable of supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue thereby preserving its functional integrity. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions. Use of the system for long-term maintenance of organs for transplantation, for resuscitation and repair of organs having sustained warm ischemic damage, as a pharmaceutical delivery system and prognosticator of posttransplantation organ function is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed. The system employs an organ chamber comprising a container and a support member adapted to inhibit movement of the organ within the container during perfusion and/or transport. The organ chamber additionally comprises a conduit for receiving venous outflow of perfusion solution and preventing its contact with the outer surfaces of the organ. A conduit for receiving organ product enables the collection of organ product from a functional organ during perfusion. Use of the organ chamber supports de novo or continued synthesis of constituents necessary for long-term maintenance of organs for transplantation, for resuscitation and active repair of organs that have sustained warm ischemic damage, and for transportation of isolated organs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of prospectively determining whether an organ will function once it is transplanted. A transplantable organ is perfused in an ex vivo warm perfusion system capable of supporting near normal levels of metabolism by the organ. One or more parameters related to organ function are measured and evaluated during perfusion. Measurements of perfused organ function are compared to values indicative of normal organ function to obtain a prediction of whether the organ being perfused will function once it has been transplanted. A method for calculating a viability index based on the parameters evaluated is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device useful for measuring functional characteristics of an organ being perfused at near normal metabolism using an ex vivo warm preservation process/system. The device comprises means for diverting from the flow lines of the warm preservation system a small sample of perfusate which has already circulated through the organ, and means for collecting the perfusate that measurements can be performed. The functional characteristics include parameters reflecting organ metabolism measured from perfusate which has circulated through the organ, from organ product produced and collected from the organ, or from both the circulated perfusate and the collected organ product during the warm preservation process/system. The measured parameters may then be compared to reference intervals as a method of prospectively assessing functional capabilities of the organ posttransplantation.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process and resuscitation solution for inducing repair of ischemically damaged organs and tissues, to the degree that impairment of function can be reversed; and preventing further tissue damage during restoration of the circulation of the treated organ or tissue. The process comprises flushing the organ with the resuscitation solution according to the present invention at a warm temperature of about 28.degree. C. to about 37.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new hyperosmolar preservation solution useful in supporting the simultaneous in vitro growth of, and preservation of vascular endothelial cells from large vessel and microvessel origins. In addition, the preservation solution of the present invention may be used for initial flushing, and as a perfusate for storage of organs intended for transplantation using a warm preservation technology at between 18.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. Among the components of the preservation solution are colloid, mucopolysaccharide, retinal-derived fibroblast growth factor and a high magnesium concentration. Also, the present invention is directed to a method for preserving, without extreme hypothermia, an organ intended to be transplanted using the preservation solution.