Machine Perfusion

The selected temperature reflects the preservation system’s purpose. Hypothermic and normothermic approaches provide different controlled conditions for maintaining an isolated organ, while the perfusion solution continues to deliver dissolved components through its vessels. Comparing these settings helps transplantation teams and researchers match preservation conditions with goals such as maintaining structure, supporting function, or evaluating the organ before implantation.

These components help sustain the organ while it remains outside the body. The pump moves the specialized solution through the organ’s blood vessels, providing a controlled supply that supports preservation of tissue structure and function. This vascular delivery distinguishes perfusion from preservation approaches that do not actively circulate solution through the isolated organ.

Functional measurements collected during perfusion provide information beyond preservation time alone. Clinicians can use these measurements to help assess whether an organ remains suitable for implantation, while researchers can examine how well structure and function are maintained outside the body. This assessment role is particularly relevant when considering organs for transplantation.

A typical workflow begins with an isolated organ, connection of the perfusion system to its blood vessels, and circulation of a specialized solution using a pump. The system then maintains selected conditions, which may be hypothermic or normothermic, while the organ’s preservation and function are observed through relevant measurements before a transplantation decision.

The technique may be considered when teams need to extend preservation time, reduce injury associated with cold storage, or obtain functional information before implantation. Its ability to maintain an organ under controlled perfusion conditions can support more informed assessment during transplantation, especially when preservation quality and preimplantation viability require closer evaluation.

Beyond preservation, the approach provides a platform for studying organ repair and optimization outside the body. Researchers can investigate how controlled circulation affects an organ’s maintained structure and function, while clinicians can explore expanded use of donor organs. These applications connect preservation technology with efforts to improve transplantation and evaluate organs before implantation.