The innovative system, created by researchers from the Warsaw University of Technology and developed at NanoSanguis, consists of a special fluid, as well as a device that pumps and controls its chemo-physical and physiological parameters of the perfused organ. The fluid contains synthetic oxygen carriers and a number of components that allow it to act as a blood-replacement fluid. It carries respiratory gases, i.e. oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as glucose, mineral salts and other essential substances.

The solution was used during a kidney transplant in a pig in July this year. A team of transplant surgeons from the Warsaw Medical University led by Professor Maciej Kosieradzki took a pig's left kidney, which was then subjected to a perfusion process. It involves the flow of body fluid, usually blood, through a tissue or organ. In cardiac surgery, perfusion is also the name of a method involving the use of an artificial extracorporeal circulation system to support the heart muscle and allow the heart to stop for the duration of the operation. In this case, a blood substitute fluid developed for this purpose was used.

- The kidney was harvested as if the patient had had a heart attack and was waiting for an ambulance. The period of warm ischaemia lasted 30 minutes. Warm ischaemia destroys human organs very quickly, which is why it is preferable to harvest organs from patients with brain death - whose heart and lungs are still working - says Professor Tomasz Ciach, head of the Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering at the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology.

The extracorporeal perfusion lasted 12 hours, during which an improvement in the physiological parameters of the kidney was observed. The surgical team then removed the pig's right kidney and the perfused left kidney was implanted in place of the removed right kidney. The animal with one implanted kidney was placed on 14-day observation. During the observation, numerous tests were performed to confirm normal renal function.

- During the procedure, extracorporeal perfusion lasted 12 hours, but we had already tested keeping the kidney alive outside the body for more than six days. There was also research into extracorporeal perfusion of other organs, including the liver and heart. In my opinion, ultimately organs will be able to be kept outside the donor's body for months. The technology developed will make it possible to treat human organs extracorporeally in the future and create libraries of organs ready for transplantation - adds Professor Ciach.

Work on the system began at the WUT Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering in 2014, and just two years later, in 2016, the technology was licensed to the newly formed spin-off company NanoSanguis. Once established, the company rented premises at the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering. Currently, all research work is carried out by NanoSanguis in its laboratories and some measurement work is subcontracted to the Faculty. Many WUT students and graduates have worked in the company. Currently, NanoSanguis, together with two other spin-off companies established at the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering of the WUT, form the NanoGroup holding company listed on the main trading floor of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

As Professor Ciach points out, the company is refining its liquid and device in animal experiments for the time being. Once the technology has been refined, it will start working with human organs.