Apparatus for tissue transport and preservation
Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially lung tissue, through the use of an expandable accumulator to maintain a constant pressure within the lumen of the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due to, for example, flight. Systems and methods may include prolonging donor organ viability in storage through the use of an organ container that mimics the geometry and orientation of the organ in vivo.
1 . A system for transport of an organ, the system comprising:
a transport container;
an organ container configured to be positioned in the transport container;
a first support surface configured to at least partially support an organ;
a tray comprising a second support surface, the tray configured to be positioned above the organ container in the transport container, the tray configured to receive a cooling material and maintain the cooling material proximate to and not in direct contact with the organ when the organ is at least partially supported by the first support surface and the organ container is positioned in the transport container, wherein the tray comprises a plurality of openings extending through the second support surface;
a lid configured to seal with the transport container to form an insulated environment such that the cooling material is positioned between the second support surface of the tray and the lid when the cooling material is received by the tray; and
a temperature sensor configured to be positioned within the transport container.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising the cooling material configured to be received by the tray.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the cooling material is configured to maintain an in-transit temperature of between 2° C. and 10° C.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the tray comprises a plurality of walls configured to limit movement of the cooling material.
5 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a second cooling material configured to be positioned along an interior surface of the transport container.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a raised portion configured to be positioned beneath the organ when the organ is at least partially supported on the first support surface.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an indention in an interior wall of the organ container.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a data logger configured to connect wirelessly with a display configured to display measurements.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is configured to connect with a display.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a handle and wheels disposed on a back wall of the transport container.
11 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising three sterile bags configured to concentrically contain the organ.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transport container comprises a plurality of latches configured to secure to a plurality of protrusions of the lid.