Organ perfusion systems

Abstract

A disposable set of components for an organ perfusion system comprising a fluid supply duct for supplying fluid to the organ, a fluid removal duct for removing fluid from the organ, and a surrogate organ removably connected between the fluid supply duct and the fluid removal duct so as to form a fluid circuit, so that fluid can be circulated in the circuit in preparation for connection of the organ.

1 . A disposable set of components for an organ perfusion system, the set comprising a fluid supply duct for supplying fluid to the organ, a fluid removal duct for removing fluid from the organ, and a surrogate organ removably connected between the fluid supply duct and the fluid removal duct so as to form a fluid circuit, so that fluid can be circulated in the circuit in preparation for connection of the organ. 
     
     
         2 . A set according to  claim 1  further comprising a connector for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the connector is arranged to be at the lowest point of the circuit when in use. 
     
     
         3 . A set according to  claim 2  further comprising a priming reservoir and a priming duct arranged to connect the priming reservoir to the connector. 
     
     
         4 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a fluid reservoir arranged to contain fluid for circulation in the circuit. 
     
     
         5 . A set according to  claim 4  when dependent on  claim 3  wherein the priming reservoir is arranged to be raised to a level that is higher than the top of the fluid reservoir thereby to cause fluid to flow from the priming reservoir into the fluid circuit. 
     
     
         6 . A set according to  claim 4  further comprising an air vent arranged to be located above the reservoir, and arranged to vent air from the system as the circuit is filled with fluid. 
     
     
         7 . A set of components according to any foregoing claim further comprising oxygen adding means, wherein the fluid supply duct and the fluid removal duct are connected to an oxygen adding means so that oxygen can be added into fluid in the circuit. 
     
     
         8 . A set according to any foregoing  claim 1  further comprising a measuring duct connected between the fluid supply duct and the fluid removal duct and measuring means arranged to measure the content of at least one component of the fluid. 
     
     
         9 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a pump arranged to pump fluid round the circuit. 
     
     
         10 . A set according to  claim 4  further comprising a pressure control duct arranged to connect the reservoir to a return port of an oxygen adding means. 
     
     
         11 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a fluid return duct arranged to return fluid produced by the organ into the circuit. 
     
     
         12 . A set according to  claim 11  when dependent on  claim 4  wherein the fluid return duct is arranged for connection to the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . A set according to  claim 11  or  claim 12  further comprising a pump arranged to pump fluid in the fluid return duct. 
     
     
         14 . A set according to any of  claims 11  to  13  further comprising a fluid level sensor arranged to measure the level of the fluid produced by the organ. 
     
     
         15 . A set according to any of  claims 11  to  14  further comprising a sump, to which the fluid return duct is connected, for collecting the fluid produced by the organ. 
     
     
         16 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a collection system for collecting fluid produced by the organ. 
     
     
         17 . A set according to  claim 16  further comprising measurement means for measuring the volume of the fluid produced by the organ. 
     
     
         18 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a further fluid supply duct removably connected to the surrogate organ. 
     
     
         19 . A set according to  claim 18  when dependent on  claim 4  wherein the further fluid supply duct is arranged for connection to the reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a bile measurement system. 
     
     
         21 . A set according to  claim 20  wherein the bile measurement system comprises a fluid collection volume and sensing means arranged to detect when a predetermined volume of the fluid has collected in the collection volume. 
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 21  further comprising control means arranged to remove the fluid from the collection volume when said predetermined volume is reached. 
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 22  wherein the control means is arranged to record each occurrence of the predetermined volume being reached thereby to record the total volume of the fluid flowing from the organ. 
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 23  wherein the control means is arranged to determine the time between subsequent occurrences of the predetermined volume being reached. 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 24  wherein the control means is arranged to determine, from said time, a flow rate of the fluid from the organ. 
     
     
         26 . A system according to any of  claims 21  to  25  further comprising display means arranged to display information relating to the amount of the fluid that flows from the organ. 
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 26  wherein the display means is arranged to display a flow rate of the fluid. 
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 26  or  claim 27  wherein the display means is arranged to display a total volume of the fluid. 
     
     
         29 . A system according to of  claims 21  to  28  wherein the bile measurement system further comprises an outlet from the fluid collection volume and a valve in the outlet. 
     
     
         30 . A system according to  claim 29  when dependent on  claim 22  wherein the control means is arranged to open the valve to remove the fluid from the collection volume. 
     
     
         31 . A system according to any of  claims 21  to  30  wherein the bile measurement system comprises a level sensor arranged to sense when the fluid in the collection volume reaches a predetermined level. 
     
     
         32 . A system according to any of  claims 21  to  31  wherein the bile measurement system comprises a pump and the control means is arranged to operate the pump to remove the fluid from the collection volume. 
     
     
         33 . A system according to any of  claims 21  to  32  wherein the bile measurement system comprises an inlet duct, an outlet duct and an overflow duct connected together. 
     
     
         34 . A system according to  claim 33  wherein the collection volume is defined at least partly within the inlet duct. 
     
     
         35 . A system according to  claim 33  or  claim 34  wherein the collection volume is defined at least partly within the overflow duct. 
     
     
         36 . A system according to any of  claims 33  to  45  wherein the bile measurement system is arranged to detect the level of the fluid in at least one of the inlet duct and the overflow duct. 
     
     
         37 . A system according to any of  claims 33  to  36  further comprising a sump wherein the outlet duct and the overflow duct are both connected to the sump. 
     
     
         38 . A system according to any of  claims 33  to  37  further comprising a connector for connecting the measuring means via a cannula to the organ. 
     
     
         39 . A set according to any foregoing claim further comprising a support panel arranged to support at least one of the ducts. 
     
     
         40 . A set according to  claim 39  wherein the support panel, an organ container and a pump form separate units of the set which are connected together by one or more of the ducts, which are flexible, so that the units can be moved between a folded state for storage and an unfolded state for use, whilst connected together. 
     
     
         41 . A set of components for an organ perfusion system, the set comprising a support panel supporting at least one flexible tube forming part of the system, an organ container, and a pump, wherein the support panel, the organ container and the pump form separate units of the set which are connected together by one or more of the flexible tubes, so that the units can be moved between a folded state for storage and an unfolded state for use, whilst connected together. 
     
     
         42 . A set according to  claim 40  or  claim 41  wherein the support panel has a channel formed therein, in which the at least one flexible tube or duct is located, with a tab formed integrally with the panel and arranged to retain the tube or duct in the channel. 
     
     
         43 . A set according to  claim 42  wherein the channel is divided into two channel sections which are spaced apart, and the panel has an aperture through it which extends around three sides of the tab, the two channel sections opening into the aperture so that a portion of the flexible tube or duct can be bent, fitted through the aperture, and then straightened so as to be retained in the channel by the tab. 
     
     
         44 . A support panel for supporting a length of flexible tubing, the panel having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is divided into two channel sections which are spaced apart, and the panel has an aperture through it, between the channel sections, which extends around three sides of a portion of the panel which forms a tab, the two channel sections opening into the aperture so that a portion of the flexible tube or duct can be bent, fitted through the aperture, and then straightened so as to be retained in the channel by the tab. 
     
     
         45 . A support panel according to  claim 44  or a set according to  claim 43  wherein the panel on either side of each of the channel sections lies in a common flat plane, and the tab is flat and formed in the same plane. 
     
     
         46 . A support panel according to  claim 45  wherein the depth of the channel is greater than the sum of the diameter of the tubing and the thickness of the tab, so that the tubing can be straightened completely within the two channel sections. 
     
     
         47 . A method of making a support panel according to  claim 44  or  claim 45  comprising providing the panel with the two channel sections formed in it, and cutting the aperture through the panel so as to leave the tab. 
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein at least one of the two channel sections is formed with an end wall, and the cutting step removes the end wall. 
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 47  or  claim 48  wherein the channel sections are formed in the panel by thermoforming. 
     
     
         50 . A perfusion system for the perfusion of an organ, the system comprising a perfusion fluid circuit for circulating perfusion fluid through the organ, the circuit comprising a fluid supply duct for supplying fluid to the organ and a fluid removal duct for removing fluid from the organ, the system further comprising a surrogate organ arranged to be connected between the fluid supply duct and the fluid removal duct so that fluid can be circulated in the circuit in preparation for connection of the organ.