APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE PRESERVATION OF PANCREATIC TISSUE AND ISLET CELLS FOR TRANSPLANTATION

摘要

Disclosed is an apparatus when used in storing organs, tissues, or cells when used in transplantation in which the organs, tissues, or cells are suspended in a solution for maintaining viability and the organs, tissues, or cells are cooled in a refrigeration unit for the entire duration of storage, wherein the refrigeration unit is capable of maintaining the temperature in the apparatus within less than 0.5 degree centigrade from the set temperature. Further disclosed is a method of preserving an organ or tissue used in transplantation comprising: · obtaining a previously harvested organ or tissue for transplantation; · placing the organ or tissue in a preservation solution; · cooling the organ or tissue to a pre-selected temperature; · maintaining the organ or tissue at the pre-selected temperature for the duration of storage, wherein maintaining the organ or tissue is performed in an apparatus, and the apparatus is capable of maintaining the temperature in the apparatus within less then 0.5 degree from the set temperature; and · providing the organ or tissue for later transplantation.