An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore
viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport.
Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an
organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at
hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures, preferably after
hypothermic organ flushing for organ transport and/or storage. The method
can be practiced with prior or subsequent static or perfusion hypothermic
exposure of the organ. Organ viability is restored by restoring high
energy nucleotide (e.g., ATP) levels by perfusing the organ with a
medical fluid, such as an oxygenated cross-linked hemoglobin-based
bicarbonate medical fluid, at normothermic temperatures. During the
period in which the organ is preserved and/or maintained, various drug
research and development may be performed on and/or with the organ. The
organ may be perfused with a fluid containing a substance such as a test
substance to obtain data regarding the organ, the substance and an
interaction of the substance and the organ. The data may then be used to
ultimately provide information regarding the drugs efficacy in support of
regulatory filings for new drugs.