Described are systems and methods for monitoring administration of nitric oxide (NO) to ex vivo fluids. Examples of such fluids include blood in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits or perfusion fluids used for preserving ex vivo organs prior to transplanting in a recipient. The systems and methods described herein provide for administering nitric oxide to the fluid, monitoring nitric oxide or a nitric oxide marker in the fluid, and adjusting the nitric oxide administration.

The present invention relates to organ transplant systems used to keep organs chilled and viable as they are moved between patients. More specifically, the present invention both contains the organ and holds it in position during transplant surgery. Thus, there is no need for a member of the implant surgical team to hold the organ while it is being sewn into place.

An isolated heart or heart-lung preparation in which essentially normal pumping activity of all four chambers of the heart is preserved, allowing for the use of the preparation in conjunction with investigations of electrode leads, catheters, ablation methods, cardiac implants and other medical devices intended to be used in or on a beating heart. The system can be designed to be used within a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit or a X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner. The preparation may also be employed to investigate heart and lung functions, in the presence or absence of such medical devices. In order to allow comparative imaging visualizations of either or simultaneously the heart and/or lung structures and devices located within the chambers of the heart or vessels or bronchi within the lungs, a clear perfusate such as a modified Krebs buffer solution with oxygenation is circulated through all four chambers of the heart and thus the coronary and/or pulmonary vasculatures. A ventilator with intubation tube can be used to inflate/deflate the lungs and/or provide oxygen to the isolated organs. The preparation and recordings of the preparation may be used in conjunction with the design, development and evaluation of devices for use in or on the heart and/or lungs, as well as for use as an investigational and teaching aid to assist physicians and students in understanding the operation of the cardiopulmonary system.

The invention provides a bioreactor and methods for tissue cultivation. A bioreactor module comprises a container, a holder adapted to hold a scaffold containing an inherent vascular network, an inlet connectable to a vessel of the inherent vascular network, an inflatable device disposed within the container, and a pair of electrodes attached to opposing walls of the container, wherein the holder is removably receivable in the container and the inflatable device has a conduit extending through a wall of the container. An alternative embodiment provides an in-vitro method for tissue cultivation, comprising seeding an interior and an exterior of a vessel of an inherent vascular network of a scaffold with a first and a second cell type, respectively, and perfusing through the inherent vascular network with culture medium to facilitate compartmentalized co-cultivation of the first and the second cell type in different niches of the tissue. A further embodiment provides an in-vitro method for tissue cultivation, comprising seeding a surface of a scaffold with a predetermined cell type, and perfusing the scaffold with culture medium from an opposite surface of the scaffold through the scaffold and towards the seeded surface to create a nutrient/oxygen gradient and cause migratory diffusion induced penetration of cells towards the opposite surface.

A repaired ex vivo organ suitable for transplantation in a human, said repaired ex vivo organ having undergone ex vivo organ perfusion for a maintenance period, wherein said organ had been assessed as being unsuitable for transplantation into a human before the maintenance period and was determined to be suitable for transplantation after the maintenance period.

Presented is an airway organ bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use thereof, as well as bioartificial airway organs produced using the methods, and methods of treating subjects using the bioartificial airway organs. The bioreactor comprises: an organ chamber; an ingres line connecting the organ chamber and a reservoir system and comprising an arterial line, a venous line and a tracheal line; an egress line connecting the chamber and the reservoir system, pumps in ingress and egress lines; a controller to control fluid exchange; a chamber pressure sensor connected to the organ chamber.

Disclosed are an in-vitro cardiopulmonary combined perfusion system and perfusion method. The in-vitro cardiopulmonary combined perfusion system includes an organ cabin, a circulation cabin, a control cabin, a simple breathing cabin, a display and control panel, and a base. The organ cabin is connected with the circulation cabin, the control cabin and the simple breathing cabin. The control cabin is connected with the display and control panel. The organ cabin, the circulation cabin, the control cabin, the simple breathing cabin, and the display and control panel are mounted on the base.

An apparatus, a system, and methods for maintaining and monitoring an excised donor heart. The apparatus comprises a first component for receiving and submerging therein an excised heart in a constantly circulating perfusate solution and a second component comprising equipment for adjusting the temperature and oxygen content of the perfusate solution. The first component comprises an integral pair of defibrillating pads. A first conduit infrastructure interconnects the first module, the second module and an aorta of the excised donor heart pushing a perfusion solution from the first module through the second module into the aorta. The second conduit infrastructure connects the first module with the right atrium and the left atrium for pushing the perfusion solution from the first module into the atria. The third conduit infrastructure connects the first module with the pulmonary artery and provides an after pressure to the flow of the perfusion solution from the pulmonary artery.

The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

A filter for filtering perfusate is integrated with an exterior portion of an organ container. The filter may be used in an apparatus for perfusing an organ. The perfusion apparatus may include an organ container configured to contain an organ, the filter integrated with an exterior portion of the organ container, and another filter. At least the filter integrated with an exterior portion of the organ container may be provided in a sterilized disposable kit.