COMPOSITIONS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MAINTAINING AN ORGAN
Compositions, methods, systems/devices and media are provided for maintaining a harvested organ in a functioning and viable state prior to implantation. The organ perfusion apparatus includes a preservation chamber for storing the organ during the preservation period. A perfusion circuit is provided having a first line for providing an oxygenated fluid to the organ, and a second line for carrying depleted fluid away from the organ. The perfusion apparatus also includes a device operably associated with the perfusion circuit for maintaining the organ at a substantially normothermic temperature.
1 . A method for perfusing a heart, comprising
placing the heart in an ex-vivo apparatus,
perfusing the heart with a fluid to cause the heart function in a viable state, and
maintaining the heart at a physiologic temperature during perfusion.
2 . The method of claim 1 , including controlling perfusion pressure.
3 . The method of claim 1 , including therapeutically treating the heart.
4 . The method of claim 1 , including controlling flow rate of the perfusion fluid.
5 . The method of claim 1 , including oxygenating the fluid.
6 . The method of claim 1 , including pumping the fluid in pulsatile fashion.
7 . The method of claim 1 , including transporting the heart from a first location to a second location remote from the first location.
8 . The method of claim 1 , including diagnosing a condition of the heart.
9 . The method of claim 1 , including maintaining the heart for more than about 6 hours.
10 . The method of claim 1 , including maintaining the heart for more than about 24 hours.
11 . A method for evaluating a heart for a transplant, comprising
placing the heart in an ex-vivo apparatus,
perfusing the heart to cause it to function in a viable state,
maintaining the heart at a physiologic temperature during perfusion, and
performing one or more tests on the heart during perfusion.
12 . The method of claim 11 , including performing an echocardiogram on the heart during perfusion.
13 . The method of claim 11 , including performing a metabolic assessment on the heart during perfusion.
14 . The method of claim 11 , including measuring pH of fluid perfusing through the heart.
15 . A method for treating a heart, comprising
placing the heart in an ex-vivo apparatus,
perfusing the heart to cause it to function in a viable state,
maintaining the heart at a physiologic temperature during perfusion, and
applying a treatment to the heart during perfusion.
16 . The method of claim 15 , including applying a direct current shock to the heart to correct arrhythmia.
17 . The method of claim 16 , including performing surgery on the heart.