Project Description:

The five-year survival rate after lung transplants is a mere 55%, the lowest rate among all major organs. One reason for low survival rates is primary graft dysfunction (PGD), a diagnosis characterized by decreased intake of oxygen and patchy alveolar infiltrates within 72 hours of implant. Research has suggested that one cause of PGD is injury to the lung while it is in transport.

Research suggests that storing the lungs at 10°C provides optimal conditions for the lungs while in transport from the procurement hospital to the hospital where the procedure is performed. Further studies have suggested that cyclically stretching the lungs while in transport can correlate to more positive post-transplant outcomes as well.

Most of the devices on the market, however, do not follow what studies have suggested is optimal. Current devices that do ventilate the lungs do so at normothermic temperatures (37 °C) or store lungs hypothermically but maintain constant pressure. Devices that only cool lungs during transport claim the temperature is between 4-8°C.

Team LUNGevity proposes a device that stores, cools, and ventilates lungs at 10°C for up to 24 hours. Through this device, the team aims to innovate the organ transplant market with a product that complements and aligns with the research on lung transplants to improve outcomes for lung transplant patients.