SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EX VIVO PERFUSION OF VERTEBRATE TISSUE

Abstract

Systems and methods for an ex vivo tissue perfusion apparatus are provided. In certain embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a container to store ex vivo tissue, a plurality of tubes containing a perfusate, and a pump which cycles the perfusate through the ex vivo tissue. The perfusion apparatus can be configured for mobility and can be transported to active emergency situations in order to perform mobile perfusion of ex vivo tissues. In certain embodiments, the discloses subject matter contemplates a method for performing mobile profusion of ex vivo tissue in emergency situations, for example, active warzones. In certain embodiments, the profusion apparatus can be used as part of a method of training for doctors in the reattachment of limbs or other extremities that have been amputated.

Claims

1. A device for perfusion of an ex vivo target tissue comprising: a rectangular container having at least one aperture with a size larger than a size of the ex vivo target tissue; a pump adapted to be coupled to the ex vivo target tissue; a plurality of vessels configured to be coupled to the pump and the ex vivo target tissue; a perfusate contained within at least one of the plurality of vessels; and a sterile insert adapted to be coupled to a side of the rectangular container.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the perfusate further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, heparin, tPA, saline, and blood products.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the rectangular container further comprises: a plurality of wheels located along a first side of the rectangular container; and a plurality of handles located along at least a second side of the rectangular container different from the first side.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an external display configured to display data related to the device, including perfusion parameters, flow parameters, temperature, or tissue oxygenation.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the external display comprises a plurality of input buttons configured to accept user input, wherein the user input is configured to control a plurality of functions, including pump activation, perfusate parameters, flow parameters, or temperature.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sterile insert further comprises a plurality of apertures to receive the plurality of vessels.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the sterile insert further comprises a purse string style suture integrate, configured to cannulate the plurality of vessels.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a rechargeable battery configured to supply power to the device; and wherein the rechargeable battery is removable.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the rectangular container further comprises a warning system configured to produce a warning upon detection of a failure of the device.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pump further comprises a filter configured to remove contaminants from the perfusate.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the rectangular container further comprises a perfusate sensor, configured to perform a chemical analysis of the perfusate.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a reservoir located proximate one side of the rectangular container and coupled to the plurality of vessels.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an external collection apparatus, configured to chemically cool the ex vivo target tissue before attachment to the plurality of vessels.

14. A method of preserving ex vivo tissue using a perfusion apparatus comprising: transporting the perfusion apparatus to an emergency situation site; inserting an ex vivo tissue into the perfusion apparatus; transporting the perfusion apparatus with the ex vivo tissue to a medical facility; wherein the perfusion apparatus further comprises: a rectangular container having at least one aperture with a size larger than a size of the ex vivo tissue; a pump; a plurality of vessels configured to be coupled to the pump and the ex vivo tissue; a perfusate contained within at least one of the plurality of vessels; and a sterile insert.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the emergency situation site is an active warzone and the medical facility is a mobile hospital facility.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the perfusion apparatus is sized so as to be transported using a variety of vehicles, including a car, a plane, a helicopter, and a ship.

17. A method of training medical professionals using a mobile perfusion apparatus comprising: storing an ex vivo tissue in a perfusion apparatus; preparing a test for medical professionals which includes at least one test portion dedicated to reattachment of an extremity; performing the test for medical professionals by presenting the medical professionals with the perfusion apparatus containing the ex vivo tissue; after the test, removing the reattached ex vivo tissue; storing the removed ex vivo tissue in the perfusion apparatus to be used in later tests.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: inserting an extremity into the perfusion apparatus; attaching the extremity to the perfusion apparatus; amputating the target ex vivo tissue from the extremity; performing simulation functions on the extremity; reattaching the target ex vivo tissue to the extremity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perfusion apparatus for ex vivo tissue according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary external display for a perfusion apparatus.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary external display for a perfusion apparatus, including a plurality of input configured to control the perfusion apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts a prototype perfusion apparatus in operation according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The disclosed subject matter relates to devices and methods for the perfusion of ex vivo tissue. The discloses subject matter can cycle perfusate through a variety of ex vivo tissues, such as arms, legs, and other extremities. The disclosed subject matter can be transported to emergency sites, such as warzone environments, to enable perfusion of ex vivo tissue in a variety of environments. The discloses methods can also be used to assist with training of medical professionals.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary perfusion apparatus according to the disclosed subject matter. An ex vivo tissue 101 can be connected to at least one vessel or tube 102 which is coupled to a pump 103. The pump 103 is configured to cycle a perfusate through the vessel or tube 102 and the ex vivo tissue 101. Once the perfusate is cycled through the ex vivo tissue 101 it can be reclaimed with a fluid recovery apparatus 107 which inserts the perfusate into the vessel or tube 102 to continue being cycled by the pump 103. The perfusion apparatus can also include other components which improve functioning of the device. These components can include sensors 112, 109, 110 for detecting system characteristics such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate, an oxygenator 106 configured to oxygenate the perfusate, a temperature regulator 111 configured to control the temperature of the perfusate, a plurality of infusion ports 108 which can allow a user to infuse a plurality of additives to the perfusate, and a warning system 105 configured to alert the user to a malfunction of failure in the pump 103 or other components of the system.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary external display for a perfusion apparatus. The display is configured to collect information from a plurality of sensors (e.g. 112, 109, 110) located on ex vivo tissue and display the results for a user. The display can include temperature indicators 201 and pressure indicators 202.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary external display for a perfusion apparatus configured to display information related to the ex vivo tissue 305 and the perfusion apparatus. The display can collect information from a plurality of sensors (e.g., 112, 109, 110) and display the results for a user. These results can include information 304 related to the perfusion apparatus itself and information 303, 306 related to the ex vivo tissue 305 contained within the perfusion apparatus.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a prototype perfusion apparatus 400 according to the disclosed subject matter. A rectangular container 401 stores the ex vivo tissue 402 for perfusion. At least one tube or another vessel 404 is attached to the ex vivo tissue 402. A perfusate is contained within the tube or vessel 404 and cycled through the ex vivo tissue 402. The rectangular container 401 is configured at an angle such that perfusate which exits the ex vivo tissue 402 is collected in a reservoir 407 at one side of the rectangular container 401, where the perfusate is collected and cycled into tube or vessel 404. Cycling is performed by a pump 403 which moves the perfusate through the tube or vessel 404 and through the ex vivo tissue 402. An external display 406 can also be coupled to the apparatus, configured to display and control a plurality of different characteristics of the perfusion apparatus 400, including temperature and pressure.