Method for preserving organs for transplantation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for preserving tissue such as harvested organs for transplant are described. A preferred method includes delivering to a harvested organ an effective amount of electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the effective amount of electromagnetic energy includes selecting a predetermined power density (mW/cm 2 ) of electromagnetic energy to deliver to the organ while in hypothermic or normothermic storage. A preferred apparatus includes a container having a cooling chamber to receive the harvested organ and at least one light source mounted on the container to illuminate the interior cooling chamber, said light source emiting light which produces a biostimulative effect on tissue placed in the cooling chamber thereby preventing or retarding damage to the tissue during storage or transport.

1 . A method of preserving a harvested organ for transplant, the method comprising delivering an effective amount of electromagnetic energy to the harvested organ, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the effective amount of electromagnetic energy comprises selecting a predetermined power density of electromagnetic energy to deliver to the organ.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined power density is selected to be at least about 1 mW/cm 2 .  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined power density is selected to be in a range from about 0.01 mW/cm 2  to about 100 mW/cm 2 .  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined power density is selected to be in a range from about 2 mW/cm 2  to about 20 mW/cm 2 .  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength in a range from about 630 nm to about 904 nm.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength of about 830 nm.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy is pulsed.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing the harvested organ in a hypothermic environment to arrest function of the organ and wherein delivering the electromagnetic energy comprises delivering the electromagnetic energy to the harvested organ in the hypothermic environment.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein placing the harvested organ in a hypothermic environment comprises placing the harvested organ in a portable hypothermic container.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 placing the harvested organ in a normothermic environment;    perfusing the harvested organ with a perfusate; and    delivering the electromagnetic energy to the harvested organ in the normothermic environment.    
     
     
         11 . A method of preserving an organ or tissue for transplantation, the method comprising: 
 providing the organ or tissue; and    irradiating the organ or tissue with electromagnetic radiation having a power density in a range between about 0.01 mW/cm 2  and about 100 mW/cm 2 .    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the organ or tissue is selected from the group consisting of: heart, lung, kidney, liver, and pancreas.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the organ or tissue comprises placing the organ in a transportable container.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed during storage or transport of the container.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the organ or tissue is suspended in a preservation medium within the container.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed while the organ or tissue is being stored or transported.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed continuously during substantially the entire period of time that the organ or tissue is being stored or transported.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed after explantation of the organ or tissue from a donor and before implantation of the organ or tissue into a recipient.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed while the organ or tissue is at a temperature below the normal body temperature of the organ or tissue.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein irradiating the organ or tissue is performed while the organ or tissue is in a normothermic environment and is perfused with a perfusate.  
     
     
         22 . A method of preserving an organ for transplant, the method comprising: 
 providing the organ explanted from a donor; and    delivering an effective amount of electromagnetic energy to the organ to extend a time period of safe preservation of the organ beyond about four hours after the organ was explanted from the donor.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength in a range between about 630 nm to about 904 nm and has a power density in a range between about 0.01 mW/cm 2  and about 100 mW/cm 2 .  
     
     
         24 . A method of preserving an organ or tissue for transplantation, the method comprising: 
 providing the organ or tissue explanted from a donor; and    irradiating the organ or tissue with electromagnetic radiation while the organ or tissue is being transported from the donor to a recipient.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength in a range between about 630 nm to about 904 nm and has a power density in a range between about 0.01 mW/cm 2  and about 100 mW/cm 2 .