Systems for monitoring and applying electrical currents in an organ perfusion system

• US 10,327,443 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2016
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TransMedics, Inc. (TransMedics Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TransMedics, Inc. (TransMedics Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hassanein, Waleed H., Elbetanony, Ahmed, Bringham, Richard, Havener, Robert, Lambert, II, Vincent, Ochs, Burt
• Primary Examiner(s): Prakash, Gautam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Lydia
• Application Number:
  US15/207,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20160374332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0247 for perfusion, i.e. for circulating fluid through organs, blood vessels or other living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0294 Electromagnetic, i.e. using electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0488 Details about the lead
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence

Abstract

Electrode systems have been developed for use in perfusion systems to measure the electrical activity of an explanted heart and to provide defibrillation energy as necessary. The perfusion systems maintain the heart in a heating state at, or near, normal physiological conditions; circulating oxygenated, nutrient enriched perfusion fluid to the heart at or near physiological temperature, pressure and flow rate. These systems include a pair of electrodes that are placed epicardially on the right atrium and left ventricle of the explanted heart, as well as an electrode placed in the aortic blood path.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the electrical activity of an explanted organ, the system comprising:

an organ chamber assembly configured to contain an explanted heart;

a first electrode placed in the aortic bloodstream conduit outside the organ chamber assembly;

a second electrode placed epicardially on the heart within the organ chamber assembly;

a third electrode placed epicardially on the heart within the organ chamber assembly;

a controller configured to provide an interface between at least one of the first, second, and third electrode and a defibrillation source wherein the controller receives signals from at least one of the first, second, and third electrode;

a perfusion fluid; and

a heater assembly that heats the perfusion fluid to a temperature between 26° and

37°

C.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pump configured to provide perfusion fluid to the system wherein the signals received by the controller are used to determine the rate at which the pump provides perfusion fluid to the system.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising an interface between the heater assembly and the controller wherein the controller receives signals from at least one of the first, second, and third electrode and from the heater assembly wherein the signals received by the controller are used to determine the temperature at which the heater assembly heats the perfusion fluid.