US4681839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems to preserve living tissue
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-23
•
Granted: 1987-07-21
•
Expires: 2002-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A system to maximize the probability of preserving living tissue separated from its host organism. The system includes a bag or other container to receive a liquid solution plus a biscuit that supplies both nutrients and other materials ordinarily supplied to the tissue by the host, as well as additional material helpful to the tissue during the sub-acute postraumatic period. The nutrients and other materials are introduced to the solution by a biscuit that is formed of the various necessary ingredients. The biscuit introduced to the solution containing the living tissue slowly dissolves therein. An outer housing receives the bag or other container with its contents. The outer housing, by use of ice or other heating/cooling measures, serves to maintain the tissue and its supporting mechanism at between about 2° C. and 20° C.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitchell R. Swartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:38
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01N; A01N1/00; A01N1/10; A01N1/12; A01N1/122; A01N1/126; A01N1/14; A01N1/146; C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/04; F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/02; F25D3/06; F25D3/08; F25D2331/00; F25D2331/80; F25D2331/801; F25D2331/8014; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A system to preserve both living tissue that has been severed from its host or living cells to be stored, cloned or hybridized, that comprises: a gas-permeable bag capable of receiving the tissue, a quantity of liquid and a biscuit and further means to maintain a sterile environment therefor during storage of the tissue; said biscuit disposed within the bag and in the liquid including both an electrolyte to help maintain cellular internal environment of the tissue and a pH buffer, said biscuit being precisely soluble in the liquid so as to provide a quasistatic biochemical environment; and means to maintain the liquid and tissue at a required temperature, said temperature being above the freezing point of the living tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A system to preserve both living tissue that has been severed from its host or living cells to be stored, cloned or hybridized, that comprises: a gas-permeable bag capable of receiving the tissue, a quantity of liquid and a biscuit and further means to maintain a sterile environment therefor during storage of the tissue; said biscuit disposed within the bag and in the liquid including both an electrolyte to help maintain cellular internal environment of the tissue and a pH buffer, said biscuit being precisely soluble in the liquid so as to provide a quasistatic biochemical environment; and means to maintain the liquid and tissue at a required temperature, said temperature being above the freezing point of the living tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the electrolyte includes at least one electrolyte taken from the group consisting of potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and calcium salts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the pH buffer includes at least one of the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and their conjugate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit further includes a chemical energy source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 4 in which the energy source is taken from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, and their polymers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains high-energy phosphate compounds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 6 in which the high-energy phosphate compounds are taken from the group consisting of ATP and creatine phosphate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains a metabolite.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 8 in which the metabolite is taken from the group consisting of coenzymes and amino acids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains a material to remove toxic debris.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 10 in which the material to remove toxic debris are taken from the group consisting of activated charcoal and heavy metal chelators.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains materials to decrease the rate of tissue destructions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 12 in which the materials to decrease the rate of tissue destruction include at least one of protease, peptidase nuclease and lipase inhibitors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains a material that serves to inactivate bacteria and/or viruses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 14 in which the material that serve to inactivate bacteria and/or viruses is taken from the group consisting of antibiotics and photodynamic dyes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains a material to enhance survival in a cold environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 16 in which said material is taken from the group consisting of glycerol and ethylene glycol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit contains a material to enhance survival of the tissue under oxidative stress.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 18 in which said material includes at least one of the group consisting of glutathione, selenium, superoxide dismutase, carotene and catalase.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system according to claim 1 that includes a woundhealing agent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 20 in which the woundhealing agent is zinc oxide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the biscuit also contains glycerol to enhance resistance of the tissue to cold, zinc oxide to promote wound healing, reduced glutathione to enable the tissue to survive oxidation stress, and materials capable of absorbing and neutralizing toxins.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the means to maintain the liquid at a required temperature comprises an insulating enclosure to receive the bag and means to supply heat and to extract heat therefrom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the bag is permeable to at least one of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 having means to produce oxygen-free radicals in part to aid in sterilization of the inside of the bag and the liquid therein.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the means maintain the liquid and tissue at the required temperature includes a housing to receive the bag and related system elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
91 words
For use in a system to preserve living tissue that has been severed from its host, which system includes a gas-permeable container to receive the living tissue and a liquid solution, a biscuit to be received by the liquid that also receives the tissue, which biscuit contains an electrolyte to maintain the cellular internal environment and a pH buffer, said biscuit being adapted to dissolve in a precise manner within the liquid to form a liquid solution that is quasistatic biochemically poised to maximize the probability of survival of the tissue.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
91 words
For use in a system to preserve living tissue that has been severed from its host, which system includes a gas-permeable container to receive the living tissue and a liquid solution, a biscuit to be received by the liquid that also receives the tissue, which biscuit contains an electrolyte to maintain the cellular internal environment and a pH buffer, said biscuit being adapted to dissolve in a precise manner within the liquid to form a liquid solution that is quasistatic biochemically poised to maximize the probability of survival of the tissue.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
A biscuit as defined by claim 27 that further contains glycerol to enhance resistance of the tissue to low temperatures, zinc oxide to promote wound healing, reduced glutathione to enable tissue to survice oxidative stress, and materials capable of absorbing neutralized toxins.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 in which the electrolyte includes at least one electrolyte taken from the group consisting of potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and calcium salts.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 or claim 29 in which the pH buffer includes at least one of the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which includes an energy source.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A biscuit according to claim 31 in which the energy source is taken from the group consisting of glucose and fructose.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains high-energy phosphate compounds.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A biscuit according to claim 33 in which the high-energy phosphate compounds are taken from the group consisting of ATP and creatine phosphate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
10 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains a metabolite.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A biscuit according to claim 35 in which the metabolites are taken from the group consisting of coenzymes and aminoacids.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains a material to remove toxic debris.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
A biscuit according to claim 37 in which the materials to remove toxic debris are taken from group consisting of activated charcoal and heavy metal chelators.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains materials to decrease the rate of tissue destructions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A biscuit according to claim 39 in which the materials to decrease the rate of tissue destruction include at least one of protease and peptidase inhibitors.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains materials that serves to inactivate bacteria and viruses.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
A biscuit according to claim 41 in which the materials that serve to inactivate bacteria and viruses are taken from the group consisting of antibiotics and methylene blue.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains a material to enhance survival in a cold environment.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
A biscuit according to claim 43 in which said material is glycerol.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 which contains a material to enhance survival of the tissue under oxidative stress.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A biscuit according to claim 45 in which said material includes at least one of the group consisting of glutathione, selenium, superoxide dismutase and carotene.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
11 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 that includes a woundhealing agent.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
A biscuit according to claim 47 in which the woundhealing agent as zinc oxide.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of preserving living tissue that has been severed from its host, that comprises: depositing the tissue in a gas-permeable container containing a sterile liquid; introducing to the liquid within the container a biscuit containing a buffer and an electrolyte, which biscuit slowly dissolves in the liquid to form a liquid solution to provide a quasistatic biochemical environment most favorable to the metabolizing tissue, and maintaining the liquid at a temperature favorable to survival of the tissue, said temperature being above the freezing point of the living tissue of the tissue.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of preserving living tissue that has been severed from its host, that comprises: depositing the tissue in a gas-permeable container containing a sterile liquid; introducing to the liquid within the container a biscuit containing a buffer and an electrolyte, which biscuit slowly dissolves in the liquid to form a liquid solution to provide a quasistatic biochemical environment most favorable to the metabolizing tissue, and maintaining the liquid at a temperature favorable to survival of the tissue, said temperature being above the freezing point of the living tissue of the tissue.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the temperature is in the range from about 2° C. to 20° C.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the liquid contains nutrients taken from the group consisting of glucose and aminoacids.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the liquid contains antioxidants taken from the group consisting of superoxide, and carotene.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the buffer is bicarbonate.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the electrolyte is calcium or potassium.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the liquid contains glycerol to provide thermal stability.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the liquid contains an antibiotic.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 56 in which the antibiotic is taken from the group consisting of amphotericin, tetracycline, and methylene blue.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the liquid contains glutathione to serve as a reductant.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 in which the liquid contains zinc oxide to provide trace metals.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 having means to produce molecular oxygen in situ within the bag during storage of the tissue.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the liquid and tissue are maintained at a temperature in the range from about 2 to 20 degrees C.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
18 words
A biscuit according to claim 27 in which the biscuit is T-shaped to provide more uniform dissolution thereof.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the biscuit is T-shaped to provide uniform dissolution thereof in the liquid.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the bag is made of a material that is both mechanically and chemically stable and is permeable to both molecular O 2 and CO 2 .
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 64 in which the material is a polyethylene and silicone composite to provide the mechanical stability and permeability.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-20 | 1991-01-19 | 1991-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-20 | 1995-01-19 | 1995-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-20 | 1999-01-19 | 1999-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |