Undersökning av förpackningstyp & förpackningsmaterial för perfusionslösning vid njurtransplantation

Sammanfattning: The demand for kidney transplantation is growing while the number of donors continues to be insufficient, prolonging the process. Today’s method has a short time frame for carrying out the transplant, where the kidney must be taken out within 30-60 minutes after death. Due to lack of time and logistics, this often creates a major problem and inhibits transplantation. UGLK Science has developed a system that enables donation a longer time after death. The method is an ex vivo perfusion, where a perfusion fluid is pumped through the kidney, which recondition its function until transplantation. It is required to store the perfusion fluid in a reliable way in order to maintain the biological function of the perfusion fluid, which is investigated in this report. The review was based on the requirements developed by UGLK Science, to ensure safety, as well as compatibility with the remaining system. In order to find the most suitable packaging, a market survey of packaging alternatives was performed, as well as literature studies of various material properties and a general risk analysis. After comparisons of several alternatives it was concluded that the double-layered bag of polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol is the most optimal solution. The packaging material and design enables the use of the perfusion fluid which is an essential part of the system and its function. This provides an opportunity to perform kidney transplants in an improved way as well as increasing the number of donors in the future.