METHOD FOR PRESERVING ORGANS FOR TRANSPLANTATION
Methods and apparatus for preserving tissue such as harvested organs for transplant are described. A preferred method includes delivering to a harvested organ an effective amount of electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the effective amount of electromagnetic energy includes selecting a predetermined power density (mW/cm 2 ) of electromagnetic energy to deliver to the organ while in hypothermic or normothermic storage. A preferred apparatus includes a container having a cooling chamber to receive the harvested organ and at least one light source mounted on the container to illuminate the interior cooling chamber, said light source emiting light which produces a biostimulative effect on tissue placed in the cooling chamber thereby preventing or retarding damage to the tissue during storage or transport.
1 . A method of preserving a harvested organ for transplant, the method comprising delivering an effective amount of electromagnetic energy to the harvested organ, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the effective amount of electromagnetic energy comprises selecting a predetermined power density of electromagnetic energy to deliver to the organ.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined power density is selected to be at least about 1 mW/cm 2 .
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined power density is selected to be in a range from about 0.01 mW/cm 2 to about 100 mW/cm 2 .
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the predetermined power density is selected to be in a range from about 2 mW/cm 2 to about 20 mW/cm 2 .
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength in a range from about 630 nm to about 904 nm.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength of about 830 nm.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy is pulsed.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising placing the harvested organ in a hypothermic environment to arrest function of the organ and wherein delivering the electromagnetic energy comprises delivering the electromagnetic energy to the harvested organ in the hypothermic environment.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein placing the harvested organ in a hypothermic environment comprises placing the harvested organ in a portable hypothermic container.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
placing the harvested organ in a normothermic environment;
perfusing the harvested organ with a perfusate; and
delivering the electromagnetic energy to the harvested organ in the normothermic environment.
11 . A method of preserving an organ or tissue for transplantation, the method comprising:
providing the organ or tissue; and
irradiating the organ or tissue with electromagnetic radiation having a power density in a range between about 0.01 mW/cm 2 and about 100 mW/cm 2 .
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the organ or tissue is selected from the group consisting of: heart, lung, kidney, liver, and pancreas.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein providing the organ or tissue comprises placing the organ in a transportable container.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the container comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed during storage or transport of the container.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the organ or tissue is suspended in a preservation medium within the container.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed while the organ or tissue is being stored or transported.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed continuously during substantially the entire period of time that the organ or tissue is being stored or transported.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed after explantation of the organ or tissue from a donor and before implantation of the organ or tissue into a recipient.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed while the organ or tissue is at a temperature below the normal body temperature of the organ or tissue.
21 . The method of claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed while the organ or tissue is in a normothermic environment and is perfused with a perfusate.
22 . A method of preserving an organ for transplant, the method comprising:
providing the organ explanted from a donor; and
delivering an effective amount of electromagnetic energy to the organ to extend a time period of safe preservation of the organ beyond about four hours after the organ was explanted from the donor.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength in a range between about 630 nm to about 904 nm and has a power density in a range between about 0.01 mW/cm 2 and about 100 mW/cm 2 .
24 . A method of preserving an organ or tissue for transplantation, the method comprising:
providing the organ or tissue explanted from a donor; and
irradiating the organ or tissue with electromagnetic radiation while the organ or tissue is being transported from the donor to a recipient.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength in a range between about 630 nm to about 904 nm and has a power density in a range between about 0.01 mW/cm 2 and about 100 mW/cm 2 .