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.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ such as a lung, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. Gas passing into and out of the organ may be conditioned to prolong tissue viability.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ such as a lung, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. Gas passing into and out of the organ may be conditioned to prolong tissue viability.

Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.

Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.

A method of preserving a donor heart, comprising perfusing the donor heart with oxygenated blood-based perfusate, wherein the donor heart is predominantly kept in non-beating state.

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.

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.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for irradiating a perfusate. The apparatus includes a tank which defines a first chamber. A separator is located inside the first chamber. The separator defines a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are concentric and have substantially annular cross sections, each having at least one diameter and a substantially common longitudinal axis. A perfusate is introduced into the first chamber by an inlet. A UV radiation-emitting device is disposed inside the second chamber for providing irradiation to the perfusate. Irradiated perfusate is removed from the tank by an outlet. Other apparatuses and systems are described and methods for inactivating micro organisms by performing EVP and irradiating the perfusate.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for irradiating a perfusate. The apparatus includes a tank which defines a first chamber. A separator is located inside the first chamber. The separator defines a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are concentric and have substantially annular cross sections, each having at least one diameter and a substantially common longitudinal axis. A perfusate is introduced into the first chamber by an inlet. A UV radiation-emitting device is disposed inside the second chamber for providing irradiation to the perfusate. Irradiated perfusate is removed from the tank by an outlet. Other apparatuses and systems are described and methods for inactivating micro organisms by performing EVP and irradiating the perfusate.