The present disclosure provides methods to improve the viability of an organ, or organs, by continuously administering a composition comprising NO.sub.x gas directly to the organ(s).

A method is disclosed for recovering living cells highly efficiently from cryopreserved cells by thawing and a system designed for such a method. The method for recovering living cells from cryopreserved cells includes thawing cryopreserved cells and diluting the thawed cell suspension with a diluent, wherein the dilution is performed in such a way that the maximum load of osmotic pressure at the time of dilution is equal to or less than 250 mOsm/second.

An apparatus for applying liquid pressure to resected tissue may include a fixture, a papillary assembly coupled to the fixture and having first and second spaced apart papillary attachment elements, and a resected mitral valve attached to the fixture. The fixture may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and an internal panel extending between the first and second chambers. The resected mitral valve may be attached to the internal panel and may have a posterior leaflet, an anterior leaflet, and tendinae chordae. The tendinae chordae may each be attached at a first end to the posterior leaflet or the anterior leaflet and at a second end to one of the papillary attachment elements. A first group of the tendinae chordae may be attached to the first papillary attachment element, and a second group of the tendinae chordae may be attached to the second papillary attachment element.

The present invention relates to organ perfusion systems that can be used at room temperature. The organ perfusion systems do not comprise a temperature controller. In some embodiments, the organ perfusion systems do not comprise a cleaning device for cleaning the perfusion fluid. The perfusion fluid can comprise Williams' medium E. The organ perfusion systems can be portable and can be used to preserving an organ, preventing ischemic damage in an organ, or recovering an ischemically damaged organ.

A system and method for pumping fluid through an organ donors organs while monitoring the fluid and organs. A pump is configured to pump fluid from a fluid reservoir through an oxygenator that oxygenates the fluid, a heat exchanger that regulates the temperature of the fluid, and into an organ donors circulatory system or a severed organ. At least one sensor array is coupled to the system to monitor the fluid and organ/s. The fluid pumped through the system is blood or flushing fluid, and the two can be used one at a time. The information gathered by the at least one sensor array is used to inform the system to make changes to increase the organ's likelihood of successful transplant.

Disclosed is a device for the perfusion of an organ, including: a container of fluid, containing an organ bathed in the perfusion fluid; a first path including an inlet, an outlet and a pump; and a second path including an inlet, an outlet and a pump. The arterial outlet of the first path has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the portal outlet of the second path. The device additionally includes, between the pump and the outlet of the first path and/or between the pump and the outlet of the second path, an oxygenation unit arranged to oxygenate the fluid emerging from the arterial outlet of the first path more than the fluid emerging from the portal outlet of the second path. The device can include a communication path between the first path and the second path in order to oxygenate the second path. Use in liver transplantation.

A microfluidic system including a number of microfluidic devices having a first perfusion path and a second separate perfusion path; the microfluidic devices each also having a chamber containing a matrix, where the matrix surrounds at least one void whose lumen is in fluidic connection exclusively with the first perfusion path, where the at least one void is populated with at least one cell type in such way that the cells are in direct contact with the matrix; where the matrix is in fluidic connection exclusively with the second separate perfusion path. The microfluidic devices are integrated onto a platform; and each of the microfluidic devices mimics at least a partial organ module.

A perfusion loop assembly for ex vivo liver perfusion includes a pump providing perfusion fluid through a line branching at a branching point into a first branch line and a second branch line. The first branch line provides a first portion of the perfusion fluid to the hepatic artery of the liver, the first branch line coupled with a gas exchanger, where the first branch line includes a flow rate sensor and/or a pressure sensor. The second branch line provides a second portion of the perfusion fluid to the portal vein of the liver; the second branch line includes a valve for controlling flow of perfusion fluid into the portal vein. The second branch line includes a flow rate sensor and/or a pressure sensor. A liver chamber assembly holds the liver ex vivo, and an outlet line for the perfusion fluid connects the liver chamber assembly and the pump.

A perfusion loop assembly for ex vivo liver perfusion includes a pump providing perfusion fluid through a line branching at a branching point into a first branch line and a second branch line. The first branch line provides a first portion of the perfusion fluid to the hepatic artery of the liver, the first branch line coupled with a gas exchanger, where the first branch line includes a flow rate sensor and/or a pressure sensor. The second branch line provides a second portion of the perfusion fluid to the portal vein of the liver; the second branch line includes a valve for controlling flow of perfusion fluid into the portal vein. The second branch line includes a flow rate sensor and/or a pressure sensor. A liver chamber assembly holds the liver ex vivo, and an outlet line for the perfusion fluid connects the liver chamber assembly and the pump.

An organ container, which is for storing an organ or tissue and is able to be inserted into an apparatus for at least one of perfusion and transport of the organ or tissue, includes a basin configured to hold the organ or tissue and a perfusate bath. The organ container also includes tubing that (i) is connectable to a source of oxygen, (ii) includes a plurality of holes by which the oxygen may exit the tubing, and (iii) is located within the basin so as to be submerged within the perfusate bath present during the perfusion or transport of the organ or tissue.