Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue; a controller configured to control the apparatus; and a detector configured to detect an optional component of the apparatus, and provide a signal to the controller indicative of the presence of the optional component, wherein the controller is configured to control the perfusion circuit in a first mode when the optional component is detected and to control the perfusion circuit in a second mode when the optional component is not detected.

Abstract: Described herein are enhanced compositions and methods for storing biomaterials. In certain aspects, these biomaterials include natural and engineered eukaryotic tissues. The methods described herein include storing these biomaterials in such a manner that reduces or prevents the loss of biomaterial properties (e.g., extracellular matrix integrity, cell viability, or a combination thereof) occurring either during storage or after removal of the biomaterial from storage. In certain aspects, these biomaterials will be stored in animal product-free solutions containing an agent that prevents or reduces the loss of extracellular matrix integrity.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue; an oxygenator for oxygenating perfusate that circulates through the perfusion circuit; and an oxygen supply device such as an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen generator configured to supply oxygen to the oxygenator. A method of perfusing an organ or tissue includes producing oxygen from a device such as an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator; supplying the produced oxygen, preferably as the oxygen is produced, to a perfusate to oxygenate the perfusate; and perfusing the organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate. The produced oxygen preferably has a concentration greater than the oxygen concentration in air.

Abstract: A portable housing for holding an organ or tissue for at least one of perfusion, storage, diagnosis, and transport of the organ or tissue includes a main chamber within which the organ or tissue and a liquid perfusate for the organ or tissue may be located, and it also includes a secondary chamber that is within the main chamber and that is for holding the liquid perfusate. A volume of the secondary chamber is less than a volume of the main chamber, and a top of the secondary chamber is below a top of the main chamber.

Abstract: Methods for ex vivo perfusion of organs (and/or tissues) with a perfusate designed to condition the organ with the desired effect being that upon transplant, said organ, having been administered said perfusate, is less likely to experience delayed graft function, deleterious effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury, including inflammatory reactions, and/or other detrimental responses that can injure the organ or recipient including precipitating or enhancing an immunological reaction from the recipient with the potential of compromising the graft's and/or recipients short teen and/or long term health and proper functionality while monitoring, sustaining and/or restoring the viability of the organ and preserving the organ for storage and/or transport.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for monitoring an organ or tissue is configured to measure a temperature inside of a container configured to contain the organ or tissue. The temperature sensor is disposed exterior to the organ container and the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be part of an apparatus for perfusing, transporting, and/or storing an organ or tissue. A coolant container may have an aperture through which the temperature sensor measures a temperature of at least one of the organ or tissue or a perfusate fluid surrounding the organ or tissue. The temperature sensor is preferably an infrared temperature sensor. Multiple temperature sensors may be provided that measure the temperature organ or tissue or perfusate fluid surrounding the organ or tissue, for example in case one of the temperature sensors fails.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue including a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue with liquid perfusate; and an oxygenation system for oxygenating perfusate that recirculates through the perfusion circuit. The oxygenation system includes an oxygen circuit for delivering oxygen to the liquid perfusate and an air circuit for delivering ambient air to the liquid perfusate. The air may be pumped through the oxygenation system via an air pump. The air or oxygen may be bubble through the perfusate to increase oxygen levels in the perfusate. Such supplemental oxygen may beneficial during hypothermic preservation of organs.

Abstract: An organ container, which is for storing an organ or tissue and is able to be inserted into an apparatus for at least one of perfusion and transport of the organ or tissue, includes a basin configured to hold the organ or tissue and a perfusate bath. The organ container also includes tubing that (i) is connectable to a source of oxygen, (ii) includes a plurality of holes by which the oxygen may exit the tubing, and (iii) is located within the basin so as to be submerged within the perfusate bath present during the perfusion or transport of the organ or tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxygenator device for oxygenating a perfusate solution to be perfused through an organ or tissue. The device includes an inlet configured to receive oxygen from an oxygen supply; and tubing connected to the inlet, the tubing including a plurality of holes by which the received oxygen may exit the tubing.

Abstract: Described herein are enhanced compositions and methods for storing biomaterials. In certain aspects, these biomaterials include natural and engineered eukaryotic tissues. The methods described herein include storing these biomaterials in such a manner that reduces or prevents the loss of biomaterial properties (e.g., extracellular matrix integrity, cell viability, or a combination thereof) occurring either during storage or after removal of the biomaterial from storage. In certain aspects, these biomaterials will be stored in animal product-free solutions containing an agent that prevents or reduces the loss of extracellular matrix integrity.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue; a controller configured to control the apparatus; and a detector configured to detect an optional component of the apparatus, and provide a signal to the controller indicative of the presence of the optional component, wherein the controller is configured to control the perfusion circuit in a first mode when the optional component is detected and to control the perfusion circuit in a second mode when the optional component is not detected.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus may include at least two tubes connected to an organ or tissue. A method of perfusing an organ or tissue may include connecting a first end of each of the at least two tubes to an organ or tissue, applying a fluid motive force to a perfusion fluid in the two tubes to force the fluid through the two tubes into the organ or tissue, and perfusing the organ or tissue through the at least two tubes such that the fluid motive force, provided by, e.g., a pump, and backpressure generated by the organ or tissue, establishes a flow balance between the at least two tubes. The flow balance may be altered without altering the fluid motive force that is applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile cart for an organ container. The mobile cart includes a top assembly configured to be releasably secured to the organ container, which is at least one of an organ transporter and an organ perfusion apparatus configured to perfuse an organ. It also includes a support structure attached to the top assembly so as to support the top assembly, the support structure being moveable from an extended position to a collapsed position. The top assembly in turn includes distinct primary and secondary locking mechanisms, each of which is configured to secure the support structure in the extended position. And when the support structure is secured in the extended position, both the primary and secondary locking mechanisms must be actuated for the support structure to be moveable to the collapsed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue with a perfusate; and a sensor operatively connected to the perfusion circuit. The sensor includes a solid support to which is attached a recognition molecule that permits detection of the target agent. The recognition molecule specifically binds to the target agent in the presence of the target agent but not significantly to other agents. The sensor also includes an enzyme that can catalyze the conversion of a substance to glucose. In the presence of the target agent the enzyme can convert the substance into glucose, which can then be detected and optionally measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A bag includes an organ transporter compartment to contain an organ transporter disposed in the transporter compartment. The bag may include openings to access portions of the organ transporter, such as a battery or power cable, when the organ transporter is disposed in the bag. The bag may also include a frame and handles. The handles may include structure adapted to mate with handles on the organ transporter. The bag may also include a single cover that provides access to multiple compartments with their own internal covers. Also, the bag may include windows to view documents stored in the bag and/or to view and/or display control panels on the organ transporter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile cart for an organ container. The mobile cart includes a top assembly configured to be releasably secured to the organ container, which is at least one of an organ transporter and an organ perfusion apparatus configured to perfuse an organ. It also includes a support structure attached to the top assembly so as to support the top assembly, the support structure being moveable from an extended position to a collapsed position. The top assembly in turn includes distinct primary and secondary locking mechanisms, each of which is configured to secure the support structure in the extended position. And when the support structure is secured in the extended position, both the primary and secondary locking mechanisms must be actuated for the support structure to be moveable to the collapsed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue including a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue with liquid perfusate; and an oxygenation system for oxygenating perfusate that recirculates through the perfusion circuit. The oxygenation system includes an oxygen circuit for delivering oxygen to the liquid perfusate and an air circuit for delivering ambient air to the liquid perfusate. The air may be pumped through the oxygenation system via an air pump. The air or oxygen may be bubble through the perfusate to increase oxygen levels in the perfusate. Such supplemental oxygen may beneficial during hypothermic preservation of organs.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of storage, treatment, assessment and transport of an organ or tissue includes a cooling container configured to cool the organ or tissue, a perfusion circuit configured to perfuse the organ or tissue, and a sample compartment for holding a biological sample. Preferred apparatus has a first internal compartment under a first cover (lid) of the apparatus that includes the coolant container and the sample compartment. The apparatus can include a second internal compartment under a second cover (lid) of the apparatus, the second internal compartment including at least part of the perfusion circuit and a sample compartment.