Systems and methods for ex vivo lung care
First Claim
1. A system for preserving a lung ex vivo comprising:
- a perfusion fluid circuit for circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface;
a ventilation circuit for ventilating the lung through a tracheal interface, the ventilation circuit adapted to flow a captive volume of a ventilation gas back and forth between the lung and a variable volume chamber;
a trickle valve in fluid communication with the ventilation circuit for introducing into the captive volume an additional volume of the ventilation gas; and
a relief valve in fluid communication with the ventilation circuit for venting excess ventilation gas from the captive volume and for maintaining a minimum gas pressure of the captive volume; and
wherein a gas exchange in the lung between a component of the ventilation gas and the perfusion fluid causes the corresponding gas component in the perfusion fluid to reach an equilibrium value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for preserving a lung ex vivo comprising:
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a perfusion fluid circuit for circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; a ventilation circuit for ventilating the lung through a tracheal interface, the ventilation circuit adapted to flow a captive volume of a ventilation gas back and forth between the lung and a variable volume chamber; a trickle valve in fluid communication with the ventilation circuit for introducing into the captive volume an additional volume of the ventilation gas; and a relief valve in fluid communication with the ventilation circuit for venting excess ventilation gas from the captive volume and for maintaining a minimum gas pressure of the captive volume; and wherein a gas exchange in the lung between a component of the ventilation gas and the perfusion fluid causes the corresponding gas component in the perfusion fluid to reach an equilibrium value. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 10)
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2. A system for preserving a lung ex vivo comprising:
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means for circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; means for ventilating the lung through a tracheal interface, a ventilation circuit adapted to flow a captive volume of a ventilation gas back and forth between the lung and a variable volume chamber; means for introducing into the captive volume an additional volume of the ventilation gas; and means for venting excess ventilation gas from the captive volume and for maintaining a minimum gas pressure of the captive volume, wherein a gas exchange in the lung between a component of the ventilation gas and the perfusion fluid causes the corresponding gas component in the perfusion fluid to reach an equilibrium value. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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3. A system for preserving a lung ex vivo comprising:
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A pulmonary artery interface and a left atrial interface for circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, wherein the fluid enters the lung through the pulmonary artery interface and leaves the lung through the left atrial interface; a tracheal interface for ventilating the lung; a ventilation circuit adapted to flow a captive volume of a ventilation gas back and forth between the lung and a variable volume chamber; a first valve for introducing into the captive volume an additional volume of the ventilation gas; and a second valve for venting excess ventilation gas from the captive volume and for maintaining a minimum gas pressure of the captive volume, wherein a gas exchange in the lung between a component of the ventilation gas and the perfusion fluid causes the corresponding gas component in the perfusion fluid to reach an equilibrium value. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 12)
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Specification