OrganAnalytics - Viability Analysis of Organ Transplants

Globally in 2018, over 140 000 organ transplantations were performed. E.g., in USA approx. 18 % of the donated kidneys were discarded. In Europe approx. 41 000 patients are transplanted annually, while 48 000 are registered on waiting lists. The acceptability of harvested borderline organs varies from country to country and doctor to doctor. Both more organ donors and salvaging more of the harvested organs are needed. For the latter, we propose our electromagnetic organ quality assessment approach, which can provide organ degradation data during organ transport and real-time quality assessment in the transplantation operating theatre. Such data are not currently available; however, the data would be valuable to the transplanting surgeon in his/her decision making to avoid discarding an organ merely based on, e.g., the transport time.

In tissue engineering, organoids hold promise for development into replacement organs and other tissue craft-based treatments. However, for the electrically active neuronal and cardiac 3D organoids, there is currently no way to measure the electrical activity in 3D in a non-destructive manner. Our approach for organ transplant quality control is applicable to the measurement of electrical activity of the organoids in 3D; this is essential for the basic and preclinical research and development of such organoids towards future treatments.

In this project, we will gather comprehensive pre-commercialization intelligence (including freedom to operate analysis), network, perform proof-of-concept simulations and tissue measurements, and create a proof-of-concept measurement system. After the project, we will be in a good position to plan for commercialization using the intelligence gathered, develop our systems to commercially viable solutions, and pursue global commercial exploitation of our solution.