Abstract: Disclosed is a cannula including a first circumferential portion, a second circumferential portion, and a seal with a first clamping surface. The first circumferential portion and the second circumferential portion are configured to mutually cooperate to support a circumference of vasculature, and form a second clamping surface. The first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are configured to cooperate to secure an end of the vasculature.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating cooperatively the pressures and flows of input vessels such as both the portal vein and hepatic artery for the liver. This invention solves problems of less-than-therapeutic portal vein flow during perfusion preservation by implementing cooperative regulation between the inputs, e.g., portal vein and hepatic artery pumping systems, on an organ preservation apparatus. It includes an algorithm that adapts to the situation wherein the portal vein has reached minimum flow and maximum pressure. The cooperative regulation algorithm senses the problem with the portal vein and solves it by adjusting the hepatic artery flow conditions.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. In perfusion, organ perfusion pressure is preferably controlled in response to a sensor disposed in an end of tubing placed in the organ, by a pneumatically pressurized medical fluid reservoir, providing perfusion pressure fine tuning, overpressurization prevention and emergency flow cut-off. In the hypothermic mode, the organ is perfused with a medical fluid, preferably a simple crystalloid solution containing antioxidants, intermittently or in slow continuous flow. The medical fluid may be fed into the organ from an intermediary tank having a low pressure head to avoid organ overpressurization. Viability of the organ may be automatically monitored, preferably by monitoring characteristics of the medical fluid perfusate.

Abstract: A cannula has a longitudinal base member having a first clamping end and a longitudinal arm member pivotally attached to the longitudinal base member and having a second clamping end, the cannula being in a closed position when the first and second clamping ends are brought together. A first clamp member is located at the first clamping end and has a first passage. A second clamp member is rotatably attached to the aim member at the second clamping end and has a second passage. The first and second passages form a combined passage when the clamp is in the closed position. The cannula may have a first locking member positioned on the arm member and a second locking member positioned on the base member. The first and second locking members interact with each other to lock the cannula in the closed 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: Disclosed is a cannula including a first clamping portion, a second clamping portion and a force applying portion configured to apply at least two different clamping forces across the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion when the cannula is in a closed state. The first clamping portion includes a first gear, the second clamping portion includes a second gear, and the first gear and the second gear are in meshing engagement.

Abstract: A cannula has a longitudinal base member having a first clamping end and a longitudinal arm member pivotally attached to the longitudinal base member and having a second clamping end, the cannula being in a closed position when the first and second clamping ends are brought together. A first clamp member is located at the first clamping end and has a first passage. A second clamp member is rotatably attached to the arm member at the second clamping end and has a second passage. The first and second passages form a combined passage when the clamp is in the closed position. The cannula may have a first locking member positioned on the arm member and a second locking member positioned on the base member. The first and second locking members interact with each other to lock the cannula in the closed position.

Abstract: Properties such as toxicity of substances may be determined by assaying properties, fates and effects of substances in an ex vivo metabolically active human organ or tissue under normothermic perfusion with a fluid containing a test substance. The data can be used as, for example, part of a submission to a government regulatory organization. Preferred methods use perfused endocrine gland organs or tissues to evaluate hormone or other bodily chemical disruption caused by substances and pre-donation diseased or injured organs or tissues.

Abstract: Methods of validating results of assessments of test substances using human-derived tissues and/or organs, particularly tissues and/or organs unsuitable for transplantation, include assessing the suitability of the organ and/or tissue for substance testing, as well as inter-organ variability and use of exogenous and/or endogenous controls.

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 separating gas bubbles that may be entrained in perfusate flow prevents such bubbles from continuing downstream and entering an organ or tissue. The apparatus may include a chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls. The chamber may include an inlet configured to allow at least one of gas and liquid to enter the chamber, an air opening configured to allow at least gas to exit the chamber and a first liquid opening configured to allow at least liquid to exit the chamber. The apparatus may function as an accumulator that reduces or eliminates pulsatility of the liquid flow and pressure. The apparatus may include a minimum volume of gas, initially or through the accumulation of gas, such that flow and pressure fluctuations in the liquid are dampened or eliminated. The apparatus may include a sampling port in a wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A cannula includes a first clamping surface on a closing portion of the cannula, a second clamping surface on a base of a cannula, a connecting structure that connects the closing portion and the base. The connecting structure may allow the closing portion to be rotated around the second clamping surface. The cannula may include a repeatably removable handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit configured to perfuse the organ or tissue; at least one shock and/or tilt detector such as an accelerometer; and a controller. The controller may be configured to control perfusion based upon a signal received from the accelerometer, which may include stopping and/or starting the perfusion based upon the signal. The controller may also or alternatively sense and/or record shocks experienced by the apparatus.

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: A perfusion apparatus including a perfusion circuit that perfuses an organ or tissue has a compartment that supports an organ or tissue during perfusion, an internal cover, and an external cover that closes the apparatus. A wall portion may extend substantially perpendicularly between the internal cover and the external cover to define a document compartment between the internal cover, the external cover and the wall portion. A tamper evident seal will not permit the external cover to open without creating a record of whether the external cover has been opened after the tamper evident seal has been activated.

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 perfusion apparatus includes a coolant container having a basin-receiving recess that is at least partly surrounded by an inner chamber; a basin that is shaped to fit within the basin-receiving recess of the coolant container; and a cradle that is shaped to accept an organ and fit within the basin. The basin-receiving recess of the coolant container, the basin and the cradle each have positioning elements that are oriented such that the cradle is keyed to fit within the basin and the basin is keyed to fit within the coolant container, each in a single predetermined orientation. The plurality of positioning elements on the basin may include a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface of the basin.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of storage, treatment, assessment and transport of an organ or tissue includes a coolant 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.

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: A cannula has a longitudinal base member having a first clamping end and a longitudinal arm member pivotally attached to the longitudinal base member and having a second clamping end, the cannula being in a closed position when the first and second clamping ends are brought together. A first clamp member is located at the first clamping end and has a first passage. A second clamp member is rotatably attached to the arm member at the second clamping end and has a second passage. The first and second passages form a combined passage when the clamp is in the closed position. The cannula may have a first locking member positioned on the arm member and a second locking member positioned on the base member. The first and second locking members interact with each other to lock the cannula in the closed position.