Organ perfusion system

摘要

The present invention provides an organ perfusion system that enables to maintain the anatomic and functional tissue integrity of organ explants and provides a possibility to investigate ongoing interactions within the organ. For example, in case of liver it enables to investigate interactions between nonparenchymal and parenchymal liver cells, and to analyze cell-specific effects of innovative treatments.
The system comprises a bowl (10) for supporting an explant, a vessel (11) for storing the perfusion medium reservoir, a pump drive (12) with two peristaltic heads (121,122) for the bidirectional transport of the perfusion medium, an aquarium pump (13) comprising an airstone (131) for measuring and controlling the oxygen concentration in said perfusion medium, and sampling means (141,142) for collecting the perfusion medium and for applying nutrients. The components are integrated in a closed circuit via circuit tubing for the provison of a constant flow rate, being supplied with nutrients and oxygen, to said explants for at least six hours.