Abstract: There is provided an ex vivo method for reducing the immunogenicity of a tissue or organ prior to transplantation, comprising: (a) establishing the tissue or organ in a warm perfusion system capable of supporting oxidative metabolism of the tissue or organ; (b) perfusing the tissue or organ with a warm non-blood perfusion solution for at least 1 hour to allow passenger leukocytes within the tissue or organ to migrate from the tissue or organ into the recirculating perfusion solution; (c) isolating the passenger leukocytes from the recirculating perfusion solution to prevent the passenger leukocytes from re-entering the tissue or organ.

Abstract: There is provided an ex vivo method for reducing the immunogenicity of a tissue or organ prior to transplantation, comprising: (a) establishing the tissue or organ in a warm perfusion system capable of supporting oxidative metabolism of the tissue or organ; (b) perfusing the tissue or organ with a warm non-blood perfusion solution for at least 1 hour to allow passenger leukocytes within the tissue or organ to migrate from the tissue or organ into the recirculating perfusion solution; (c) isolating the passenger leukocytes from the recirculating perfusion solution to prevent the passenger leukocytes from re-entering the tissue or organ.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an RGD-enriched solubilized extracellular matrix composition derived from endothelial cell culture that can be used to modify the immunogenicity or thrombogenicity of an organ intended for transplant. The RGD-enriched solubilized extracellular matrix composition is applied to the lumen of the vasculature of the organ, thereby placing a barrier between the antigens on the lumenal surfaces of the transplanted organ and the blood of the recipient.

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: Disclosed herein is an RGD-enriched solubilized extracellular matrix composition derived from endothelial cell culture that can be used to modify the immunogenicity or thrombogenicity of an organ intended for transplant. The RGD-enriched solubilized extracellular matrix composition is applied to the lumen of the vasculature of the organ, thereby placing a barrier between the antigens on the lumenal surfaces of the transplanted organ and the blood of the recipient.

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: The present invention provides a device for use in magnetic resonance imaging of a woman's breasts. The device has breast-supporting cups that comprise an enhanced fat saturation material to facilitate fat suppression during imaging. Significantly, the wearer can put the device on and position it with little or no assistance and without loss of dignity due to manipulation by a technician.

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: The present invention provides a fat saturation device to be used in conjunction with a magnetice resonance imaging (MRI) breast coil, which provides padding for the comfort of the patient being imaged while eliminating the skin-air interface, thereby reducing the level of artefacts in the image. The device comprises a coil surface pad that contacts the surface of the coil, the pad having apertures therein through which the patients breasts extend when the patient is positioned on the coil for imaging. Aperture sleeves that are removable or retractable extend from the bottom surface of the coil surface into the apertures of the breast coil. The device comprises a fat saturation material.

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: The present invention provides a fat saturation device to be used in conjunction with a magnetice resonance imaging (MRI) breast coil, which provides padding for the comfort of the patient being imaged while eliminating the skin-air interface, thereby reducing the level of artefacts in the image. The device comprises a coil surface pad that contacts the surface of the coil, the pad having apertures therein through which the patients breasts extend when the patient is positioned on the coil for imaging. Aperture sleeves that are removable or retractable extend from the bottom surface of the coil surface into the apertures of the breast coil. The device comprises a fat saturation material.

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: The present invention provides a device for use in magnetic resonance imaging of a woman's breasts. The device has breast-supporting cups that comprise an enhanced fat saturation material to facilitate fat suppression during imaging. Significantly, the wearer can put the device on and position it with little or no assistance and without loss of dignity due to manipulation by a technician.

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.