Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
08:41
Porcine Normothermic Isolated Liver Perfusion
Published on: June 9, 2023
985
Lessons Learned in Research and Development With Porcine Livers and the Clinical Translation-Beating the Organ Clock
Martin Jörg Schuler1, Dustin Becker2, David Machacek2
1ASSCO Engineering AG, Dietikon, Switzerland.
Clinical Transplantation
|August 4, 2025
Summary
Developing long-term liver perfusion machines aims to extend organ viability ex vivo. This research details essential conditions and criteria for extended machine perfusion, crucial for future transplantation advancements.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Biology
- Medical Device Engineering
Background:
- Current short-term (less than 24 h) normothermic liver perfusion devices enhance transplant logistics and decision-making.
- Global research focuses on extending organ preservation times for transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditions and viability criteria for maintaining liver viability during long-term ex vivo machine perfusion.
- To develop a long-term liver perfusion machine mimicking in vivo physiological conditions.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year development phase using porcine livers.
- Testing of two prototypes with human livers unsuitable for transplantation.
- Analysis of essential conditions and key viability criteria for extended perfusion.
Main Results:
- Successful development and testing of a long-term liver perfusion machine prototype.
- Insights into essential conditions and viability criteria for long-term ex vivo liver preservation.
- Identification of potential clinical applications and challenges for the technology.
Conclusions:
- Long-term liver perfusion technology offers a platform for new clinical applications and patient benefits.
- Further research is required to integrate this technology into routine clinical practice.
- Establishing consensus on long-term perfusion viability criteria is essential.
