Introduction

BioLab Perfusor is a medical device that allows an organ to be maintained in physiological condition in an extracorporeal environment. Compared with classical ice storage, dynamic perfusion allows assessment of the functional fitness of the liver and reduces the risks due to post-transplant organ rejection. It also allows regeneration of the damaged organ in a controlled environment.

Technical features

Mechanical perfusion is used to improve the quality of donated livers, extend preservation and allow evaluation before transplantation. The machine includes a pump that manages organ perfusion, a heating unit that regulates temperature, and an oxygenator. BioLab Perfusor will be used at the recipient’s hospital for both hypothermic (i.e., cold, lasting about 12h) and normothermic (i.e., warm, lasting about 24h) perfusion and evaluation of donated livers. In addition, the machine can also be used for sub-normothermic perfusion or for a combination of cold and warm perfusion thanks to a new heat exchange system. To further increase the availability of livers from donors who are not suitable for transplantation, new strategies are needed to utilize organs. Normothermic (long-term) perfusion could be used in the future as a dynamic platform for regenerative medicine approaches, enabling repair and regeneration of diseased donor livers.
The patented perfusor has small dimensions also suitable for transportation (100x50x50 cm), allows normothermic and hypothermic perfusion, and its TRL is currently 4.

Possible Applications

• Organ transplantation and its marginal recovery;
• Hypothermic and Normothermic perfusion;
• Liver preservation;
• Organ condition assessment.

Advantages

• Increased organs available for transplantation;
• Recovery of damaged organs;
• Reduced transplantation time and costs;
• More time to match multiple recipient organs;
• Numerous insights for medical research;
• Reduced waiting time.