TAGS: Medical
TransMedics, Inc. developed the Organ Care System (OCS™) using Covestro polycarbonates to improve organ preservation system.
Improved Way to Preserve Organs
Cold ischemic storage has been the traditional method for organ preservation during transplantation. However, this technique has limitations, such as a narrow window for safe transport, the potential for damage even within safe time limits and the inability to test organ function. To improve the way organs are preserved during transportation, TransMedics, Inc. developed the Organ Care System (OCS™), an innovative, portable system that delivers warm, nutrient-rich blood to the organ, allowing it to function outside of the body and enabling organ optimization and assessment.
TransMedics has three OCS™ products – OCS™ Heart, OCS™ Lung and OCS™ Liver, each of which has three primary components: a portable console with a wireless monitor, a disposable perfusion set and nutrient-enriched solutions. The perfusion set’s clear enclosure protects the organ using Makrolon® 2458 and Makrolon® Rx1452 polycarbonates from Covestro, while the attached connectors utilize Makrolon® Rx1805 polycarbonate. “Makrolon® polycarbonates offer the combination of transparency and toughness needed for this medical device,” said John Sullivan, vice president of engineering, TransMedics, Inc.
Organ Care System Benefits
Makrolon® polycarbonates for medical applications offer several beneficial attributes for the OCS™ platform, including:
- Dimensional stability
- Impact and chemical resistance
- Suitable for sterilization
- Biocompatible according to many ISO 10993-1 test requirements
Additionally, Makrolon® 2458 polycarbonate and Makrolon® Rx1452 polycarbonate are ideal materials for medical devices, featuring a low viscosity and easy-release properties.
Beyond supplying the materials, Covestro provided valuable expertise to TransMedics, according to Anthony Leo, business development manager, Healthcare – Northeast region, Covestro LLC. “Our team also offered technical support and shared regulatory knowledge to help further the development cycle.”
Safely Transporting Organs
“Safely transporting organs can literally mean the difference between life and death,” said Lauren Zetts, Americas market manager, Healthcare – Polycarbonates, Covestro LLC. “It’s very gratifying that our materials play a role in helping TransMedics fulfill its mission to deliver healthy transplants in a timely manner.”
Attendees at MD&M West Conference and Exposition, Feb. 5-7, in Anaheim, California, can visit the Covestro booth (#2221) to learn more about the company’s medical applications and materials.
Source: Covestro