US4471629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of freezing and transplant of kidneys and apparatus
Assignee: MOUNT CARMEL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION Corp 6071 W OUTER DRIVE DETROIT MI 48235
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Filing: 1983-05-31
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2003-05-31
Abstract
Abstract In the method of freezing and transplanting a kidney including the successive steps of excising, flushing, hypothermically infusing, freezing, thawing, infusing and implantation, the improvement including the steps of metering and infusing pressurized chilled helium into the renal artery while progressively and rapidly cooling the kidney located on a support of a container that is not immersed but surrounded by a body of liquid nitrogen, while continuously metering nitrogen into the body of liquid nitrogen and simultaneously and continuously recording temperatures and rate for cooling. The kidney is held above the liquid nitrogen by the support and is subjected to the pressurized nitrogen atmosphere within the cooling chamber or tank. A further step in which the thawing includes the application of infrared radiation to the kidney within a confined area while continuously rotating the kidney for uniform thawing. A cryogenic apparatus for controlled freezing of a kidney includes an insulated tank holding a body of liquid nitrogen, with a fitting through the tank adapted for connection to a source of pressurized nitrogen. A coil is immersed within the liquid nitrogen has an inlet fitting which projects outwardly of the tank adapted for connection to a source of pressurized helium and has an outlet adapted for connection to renal artery of the kidney in a container immersed in the liquid nitrogen. A thermocouple within the tank interconnects the kidney with an exterior temperature recorder.
Inventors
- 👤 Luis H. Toledo-Pereyra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:45
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; A; A01; A01N; A01N1/00; A01N1/10; A01N1/14; A01N1/142; A01N1/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In the method of freezing and transplanting a kidney having a renal artery including the successive steps of excising, flushing, hypothermically infusing with a cryoprotectant solution, freezing, thawing, reinfusing to remove the protectant solution and implantation, the improvement which comprises continuously metering and infusing pressurized nitrogen cooled helium into the renal artery for progressively and rapidly cooling the kidney, located on a support within a cooling chamber and located above a body of confined liquid nitrogen contained in the chamber while subjecting the kidney to a confined pressurized nitrogen atmosphere within the chamber, while continuously metering pressurized nitrogen into the nitrogen liquid; and simultaneously continuously recording temperatures and rate of cooling of the kidney for maintaining a predetermined rate of cooling and kidney temperatures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In the method of freezing and transplanting a kidney having a renal artery including the successive steps of excising, flushing, hypothermically infusing with a cryoprotectant solution, freezing, thawing, reinfusing to remove the protectant solution and implantation, the improvement which comprises continuously metering and infusing pressurized nitrogen cooled helium into the renal artery for progressively and rapidly cooling the kidney, located on a support within a cooling chamber and located above a body of confined liquid nitrogen contained in the chamber while subjecting the kidney to a confined pressurized nitrogen atmosphere within the chamber, while continuously metering pressurized nitrogen into the nitrogen liquid; and simultaneously continuously recording temperatures and rate of cooling of the kidney for maintaining a predetermined rate of cooling and kidney temperatures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the method of claim 1, wherein the helium infusion is at 20 mm Hg at 1500 cc per minute, approximately.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
In the method of claim 1, the intermediate step of continuously filtering the helium for removal of impurities before infusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the method of claim 1, wherein the thawing step includes applying infrared radiation to the kidney within a confined area while continuously rotating the kidney for uniform application of heat thereto and for uniform thawing thereof, at a predetermined rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the method of claim 4, the thawing step including a power operated turn table supporting and continuously rotating the confined kidney.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the method of claim 1, the step of continuously recording of rate of cooling and temperatures including inserting thermocouples probes into the kidney, electronically transmitting temperature signals to the exterior of the cooling chamber to a recorder while continuously maintaining pressurization within the cooling chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
In the method of claim 1, the freezing step including a cooling apparatus having a closed cryogenic tank confining said liquid nitrogen, a helium cooling coil immersed in said nitrogen liquid and having a fitting extending outwardly of said tank adapted for connection to a source of pressurized helium and having an outlet adapted for connection to said kidney, a fitting extending through a wall of the tank adapted for connection to a source of pressurized nitrogen, all said components being of stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the method of claim 6, said tank having a hinged cover; registering peripheral continuous flexible beading upon said cover and tank; and the further step of magnetically retaining the cover to peripherally overlie and seal said tank maintaining pressurization therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the method of claim 1, the intermediate step after initial hypothermic infusion and before thawing of storing the frozen kidney within a freezer bank at a predetermined uniform temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
In the method of claim 1, said freezing step including a sealed tank and cover, for confining said liquid nitrogen and pressurized nitrogen vapor therein; a fitting extending through a wall of the tank adjacent its bottom adapted for connection to a source of pressurized nitrogen; a coil immersed within the liquid nitrogen within said tank; an inlet fitting on one end of said coil projected through a wall of the tank adapted for connection to a source of pressurized metered helium; said coil having an outlet pipe adapted for connection to the renal artery of a kidney in a container immersed within said liquid nitrogen; and a thermocouple including a plurality of probes adapted for projection into the kidney and having a lead wire projecting from the tank between the tank and cover adapted for connection to a temperature recorder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
In the method of claim 10, the sealing of said tank and cover including registering peripheral magnetic beading upon the top of said tank and underside of said cover for maintaining the cover closed and sealed over said tank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |