Organ transporter with oxygen generation

Abstract

An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue; an oxygenator for oxygenating perfusate that circulates through the perfusion circuit; and an oxygen supply device such as an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen generator configured to supply oxygen to the oxygenator. A method of perfusing an organ or tissue includes producing oxygen from a device such as an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator; supplying the produced oxygen, preferably as the oxygen is produced, to a perfusate to oxygenate the perfusate; and perfusing the organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate. The produced oxygen preferably has a concentration greater than the oxygen concentration in air.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue, the apparatus comprising:
 a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue with liquid perfusate;   an oxygenator for oxygenating perfusate that recirculates through the perfusion circuit; and   an oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to the oxygenator, the oxygen supply device comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply device is an oxygen generator that supplies oxygen by decomposing water. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply device is an oxygen concentrator that supplies oxygen by concentrating oxygen by way of pressure swing adsorption. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply device is an oxygen concentrator comprising a solid state oxygen pump. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply device is configured to supply oxygen by starting with an oxygen supply with relatively low oxygen concentration and outputting oxygen with a concentration that is higher relative to the oxygen supply. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the oxygen supply device is configured to operate with the oxygen supply being air. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the air is compressed air. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the air is ambient air. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the oxygen supply device is configured to operate with the oxygen supply being water. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a container to store the oxygen supply. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a bubble trap disposed within the perfusion circuit downstream of the oxygenator relative to a direction of perfusate flow.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus does not include an oxygen storage device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is transportable and weighs less than 90 pounds. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured to sterilize or prevent contamination of oxygen supplied by the oxygen supply device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of perfusing an organ or tissue, the method comprising:
 producing oxygen from a device comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator;   supplying the oxygen, as the oxygen is produced, to a liquid perfusate to oxygenate the perfusate; and   perfusing the organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate,   wherein the oxygen has a concentration greater than the oxygen concentration in air and the perfusate is recirculated.   
     
     
         16 . The method according the  claim 15 , wherein the device is an oxygen concentrator and the oxygen is produced from air by pressure swing adsorption. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the device is an oxygen generator and the oxygen is produced from water. 
     
     
         18 . The method according the  claim 15 , wherein the device is an oxygen concentrator and the oxygen is produced from air by way of a solid state oxygen pump. 
     
     
         19 . The method according the  claim 15 , wherein the oxygen is produced on board a portable organ perfusion apparatus, 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the oxygen is produced by starting with an oxygen supply with relatively low oxygen concentration and outputting the oxygen with a concentration that is higher relative to the oxygen supply. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the oxygen supply is air. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the air is compressed air. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the air is drawn from ambient atmosphere. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the oxygen is produced from water. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the oxygen is sterilized or decontaminated. 
     
     
         26 . A method of perfusing an organ or tissue, the method comprising:
 producing oxygen by a process comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of pressure swing adsorption, water decomposition, and pumping oxygen by way of a solid state oxygen pump;   supplying the produced oxygen to a liquid perfusate to oxygenate the perfusate;   perfusing the organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate; and   recirculating the perfusate.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the process is performed using a transportable perfusion apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the oxygen is supplied as the oxygen is produced. 
     
     
         29 . A method of perfusing an organ or tissue, the method comprising:
 producing oxygen on board a portable perfusion apparatus;   oxygenating liquid perfusate in the portable perfusion apparatus with the produced oxygen;   perfusing an organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate; and   recirculating the perfusate.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the oxygen is produced by a process comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of pressure swing adsorption, water decomposition, and pumping oxygen by way of a solid state oxygen pump.