Abstract:
A vessel for housing an organ such as lungs from a mammal ex-vivo, for evaluation or preservation. A liquid solution suitable for evaluation or preservation of the lungs surrounds the organ, at least partly. The solution is circulated via an outlet and an inlet. Two pressure chambers are arranged between the walls of the vessel and the organ. A gas is introducible to the pressure chamber in order to expand the pressure chamber for occupying the spaces surrounding the organ. Then, the pressure inside the pressure chambers is increased in order to push the solution to a higher level so that the organ is immersed in the solution without necessitating addition of further solution. Alternatively, the vessel is exposed to an under pressure and the pressure chambers are open to the atmosphere. In a further alternative embodiment, a solution collection space has variable volume.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a vessel for preservation and evaluation of an organ, such as lungs, ex vivo. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the last decade, transplantation of lungs has become viable. An article published in The Lancet, Vol. 357, Mar. 17, 2001, pages 825-829, discloses a protocol for harvesting lungs from a non-heart-beating donor by intrapleural topical cooling of the lungs within about 1 hour after death followed by harvesting the heart-lung block within about 3 hours. The heart-lung block is evaluated ex-vivo followed by cooling and storage until transplantation or other use. 
         [0003]    The evaluation of the lungs take place in a plastic vessel using a specific solution called Steen Solution, available from Vitrolife AB, Sweden. The solution can be characterized as an artificial hyperoncotic serum containing an optimal amount of dextran and is disclosed in WO 2002/35929 A1, the technical contents of which are incorporated in the present specification by reference. This solution is however expensive. In order to reduce the costs, as small amount as possible of the Steen Solution should be used. 
         [0004]    During the evaluation, the solution is introduced into the lungs through the pulmonary artery and the solution exits the lungs through the pulmonary veins and is given off to the vessel and collected at the bottom thereof and recirculated. Only about 2.6 liters of solution is required. However, during the preservation and storage, the entire lung should be more or less immersed in said solution, which means that further solution needs to be added. Since the preservation solution does not need to be Steen Solution, the added solution could be another cheaper solution, such as Perfadex, available from Vitrolife AB, Sweden. 
         [0005]    However, if the lungs should be preserved for a long time, it would be desirable to use the more expensive solution also for the preservation. Moreover, it is expected that preservation of the organ in Steen Solution or other similar solution would be better than using a solution which is less versatile. 
         [0006]    It is with this background that the present invention has been developed. 
         [0007]    US 2005/0147958 discloses an apparatus for evaluation and preservation of organs, such as lungs. The apparatus comprises a soft shell bag having a preservation chamber therein. The lungs are placed in a chamber having an arcuate surface in the lower portion of the preservation chamber. Solution is supplied to the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary veins are allowed to drain directly into the preservation chamber. To prevent collapse of the alveoli of the lungs, the lungs are periodically ventilated. This necessitates that the volume defined by the preservation chamber expand and contract to accommodate the corresponding expansion and contraction of the lungs. Accordingly, opening vents allows air movement in and out of preservation chamber. This expansion and contraction can be accomplished through any means for respirating the lungs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages singly or in any combination. 
         [0009]    According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for housing an organ from a mammal ex-vivo, for example for evaluation or preservation, comprising: a vessel comprising a solution suitable for evaluation or preservation of the organ and at least partly surrounding the organ; characterized by: a displacement device for occupying surplus space inside the vessel for enabling immersion of the organ. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the displacement device may comprise: at least one pressure chamber arranged between the walls of said vessel and said organ, and a means for introducing a medium into said pressure chamber in order to expand the pressure chamber. The medium may have a density, which is lower than the density of said solution, such as a gas or a low-density liquid. Each pressure chamber may be formed by a plastic bag. The plastic bag may be arranged to expand towards the organ in order to fill the spaces surrounding the organ. The plastic bag may have a surface, which has low adherence to the organ. The surface may be provided with channels or protuberances for forming flow channels between said surface and said organ. Several pressure chambers may be arranged inside said vessel along vertical sides thereof. The pressure chambers may be arranged at the inner side of a lid, which is arranged for closing the upper opening of said vessel. The means for introducing a medium into said pressure chamber may be an under pressure inside said vessel whereby the pressure chambers may be open to the atmospheric pressure, so that gas at atmospheric pressure may be introduced into the pressure chambers due to said under pressure. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a tube for supplying an evaluation and/or preservation solution to the organ; and an elongate slit, through which the tube extends, said slit having a width which is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube in order to maintain the tube with a friction fit, whereby the tube is adjustable along the slit and is retained in position by the slit during operation of the apparatus. 
         [0012]    In a still further embodiment, the displacement device may comprise a body intended to occupy a volume of a solution collection space. 
         [0013]    In yet a further embodiment, the displacement device may comprise a solution collection space having a variable volume. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for housing an organ from a mammal ex-vivo, for example for evaluation or preservation, comprising: a vessel comprising a solution suitable for evaluation or preservation of the organ and at least partly surrounding the organ; characterized by: a tube for supplying an evaluation and/or preservation solution to the organ; and an elongate slit, through which the tube extends, said slit having a width which is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube in order to maintain the tube with a friction fit, whereby the tube is adjustable along the slit and is retained in position by the slit during operation of the apparatus. 
         [0015]    The organ may be at least one organ from the group comprising: lungs, lung-heart-block, heart, kidney, liver, pancreas and small intestines. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view partially in cross-section of a lung evaluation and preservation vessel during an evaluation stage. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view similar to  FIG. 2  during a preservation stage. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention, similar to  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view similar to  FIG. 3  of the first embodiment in an intermediate state of expansion. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view similar to  FIG. 4  of the first embodiment in an end state of expansion. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plan view from above of the first embodiment according to  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a plan view similar to  FIG. 6  of a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a plastic material used in the embodiments. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a further embodiment of the vessel. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the embodiment of the vessel of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of  FIG. 11  taken along line XI-XI. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a still further embodiment of the vessel. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a yet further embodiment of the vessel. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the vessel of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a closure intended for the vessel of  FIG. 14   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Below, several embodiments of the invention will be described with references to the drawings. These embodiments are described in illustrating purpose in order to enable a skilled person to carry out the invention and to disclose the best mode. However, such embodiments do not limit the invention. Moreover, other combinations of the different features are possible within the scope of the invention. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  discloses a vessel  10  for evaluation and preservation of an organ, such as a heart-lung-block  11 . The heart-lung block  11  may be arranged at a support  23  at the bottom of the vessel. At each side of the support  23  there may be arranged grooves  24  for collecting solution. The heart-lung-block is shown in a raised position, but it is understood that the heart-lung-block may be arranged in any position, including a lying position. 
         [0034]    The vessel comprises an outlet  12  at the bottom for connection to an external circuit comprising a pump  13  and other members  14 ,  15 , such as filters, oxygenators, hard-shell chamber etc normally used in such a system, see for example US 2005/0147958 mentioned above. 
         [0035]    During the evaluation stage, an inlet line  16  connects the output of the pump  13  to a pulmonary artery of the lungs in an external circuit  13 - 16 . If the heart is present, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the inlet line  16  is connected to a catheter  17  connected to the pulmonary artery through an opening in the right ventricle. 
         [0036]    A solution or liquid is present in the external circuit  13 - 16 . During the evaluation step, such solution may be Steen Solution mentioned above. There may be about 2.6 liter solution in the external circuit. Initially, the solution is circulated externally of the vessel for priming purposes and for adjusting the parameters of the solution to desired values, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and temperature. Then, the inlet line  16  is connected to the catheter  17  inserted in the pulmonary artery. After the solution has circulated through the lungs, the solution exiting the lungs, which in  FIG. 1  takes place via the left atrium, is given off to the vessel and is accumulated at the bottom of the vessel as shown at  22 . 
         [0037]    A gas line  18  connects a source of gas  19  to the trachea of the lungs for delivery and removal of gas from the lungs and the alveoli of the lungs. The gas may be normal air or a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide etc. 
         [0038]    Several sensors  20 ,  21  may be connected to the lungs or heart for measurement of different properties, such as oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide saturation in the solution, temperature and pressure of the solution, for example in the four lung veins opening to the left atrium. There may be separate sensors for each lung half, i.e. one sensor for the left lung and one sensor for the right lung or there may be separate sensors for each blood vessel. 
         [0039]    The evaluation may take place immediately or shortly after the harvesting of the lungs from the donor or it may take place after transportation or storage. The lungs are connected as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the pump  13  is started (after priming) to deliver solution to the lungs to gradually reach a temperature of 37° C. When the lungs are sufficiently warm, for example 32° C., the gas supply is activated for delivering and removing gas to the trachea similar to normal breathing. The solution may be pumped with a speed of about 4 liter per minute, similar to normal heart function. The pump may be continuous or pulsative, for example with 60 beats per minute. The pressure may be regulated to be no more than 20 mmHg. 
         [0040]    The functioning of the lungs may be evaluated by monitoring the sensors  20 ,  21  and other parameters. If the lungs are evaluated to function correctly, it is determined that the lungs are eligible for transplantation or other use. 
         [0041]    After evaluation, the temperature of the solution is lowered for core cooling of the lungs, for example to 20° C. Since the lungs become stiff at low temperature, the gas supply is terminated. After initial core cooling, the inlet line  16  is disconnected and ends freely in the vessel  10  or is clamped. Further solution may be added to the vessel  10  in order to increase the level  22  of solution in the vessel so that the lungs are immersed in the solution. Then, the lungs are topically further cooled until a desired preservation temperature of for example 12° C. 
         [0042]    The added solution may be a Perfadex solution. This solution is less expensive than the Steen Solution and is specifically adapted for preservation. There may be added about 5.2 liters. The solution in the vessel  10  is circulated through an oxygenator in order to provide topical extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, topical ECMO, which has been found to function well for the preservation of the lungs. 
         [0043]    The above description of a general system may be altered in many respects and is only one possible embodiment. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the heart-lung-block is arranged at a support  23  having grooves  24  at the sides of the vessel. The grooves  24  are inclined as shown at  25  for transporting the solution to the outlet  12 . The support may have a rounded upper surface. Such support will reduce the amount of solution necessary for the function during the evaluation stage. 
         [0045]    The vessel  10  is provided with a closure or lid  26  at the top, so that the organ is available for inspection and for connection of the tubes, catheters and sensors during the evaluation step. It is frequently required to have access to the lungs during the evaluation, so the lungs have to be accessible for example by having the lid  26  removed during the evaluation, which may take place in a sterile or substantially sterile environment. 
         [0046]    The inlet line  16  and the gas line  18  are passed through gaskets (not shown) in the sidewall of the vessel. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the inlet line  16  and the gas line  18  may be passed through an opening  27  in the top lid  26  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  shows the vessel  10  during the preservation stage. In this stage, the inlet line  16  is no longer connected to the catheter  17  but opens freely outside the lungs. The lungs are fully immersed in the solution as indicated by liquid level  28 . The solution is circulated by the pump  13  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) and oxygenated so that the lungs receive oxygenation. The solution is maintained at a temperature of for example 12° C. 
         [0048]    A pressure chamber may be arranged at each longitudinal side of the vessel  10  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0049]    The pressure chamber shown comprises two plastic bags  31  and  32  formed by a flexible but substantially non-elastic foil of plastics material. Each pressure chamber  31 ,  32  is shown in the collapsed initial position, in which the pressure chamber is arranged adjacent the sidewall  33 ,  34  of the vessel  10 . Each plastic bag may be arranged in a folded manner as shown so that the plastic bag can be expanded. Three folds are shown in  FIG. 3 , but other arrangements are possible. 
         [0050]    The pressure chambers comprise an inlet  35 ,  36  which are connected to a source of pressure (not shown), for example a source of gas pressure. 
         [0051]    The fluid level in the vessel  10  is visible via an ascension tube  37 , which is connected to the vessel and extends outside the vessel  10 . The ascension tube  37  is open at the top, so that the fluid level in the ascension tube can adjust itself to the fluid level inside the vessel. 
         [0052]    The ascension tube may be integrated in the walls of the vessel. 
         [0053]    When gas is supplied via pumps  52 ,  53  to the pressure chamber  31 ,  32 , the plastic bag starts to expand as shown in  FIG. 4 . Since the solution in the bottom of the vessel exerts a hydrostatic pressure equal to the height of the water pillar, the expansion of the pressure chambers takes place substantially only above the level  38  of the solution. Each plastic bag fills the open space between the vessel  10  and the lungs  11 . The pressure inside each pressure chamber is still low, approximately equal to the atmospheric pressure. 
         [0054]    Since a relatively large volume of gas is supplied, it takes some time for this expansion. The level  38  of solution does not rise or rise only to a small extent as shown in  FIG. 4 . The air or gas inside the vessel passes out to the atmosphere via opening  27 . 
         [0055]    When almost all of the air space of the vessel above the solution level has been filled by the expansions of the plastic bags, the pressure in the plastic bags starts to increase. Then, the solution level  38  in the vessel increases correspondingly as the plastic bags expand into the volume previously occupied by the solution. When the pressure in the plastic bags has increased to for example 20 cm water-pillar, the solution level  39  has increased by 20 cm as indicated by the ascension tube, see  FIG. 5 . In this position, the entire lung is immersed in the solution. 
         [0056]    The pressure chambers are arranged along the longitudinal or transversal sides of the vessel in order to be able to fill the air space of the vessel as completely as possible, as is shown in  FIG. 6 , which shows the vessel  10  seen from above. The lungs are shown in a lying position, but the position may be any position desired. The pressure chamber is limited at one side by the sidewall of the vessel and at the other side by the plastic bag. The plastic bag is attached to the vessel sidewall at any suitable manner. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment, the pressure chamber is formed entirely by the plastic bag, which at one side abuts the sidewall of the vessel and expands at the other side. Each plastic bag forms a closed space. The plastic bag may be fixed at the upper boarder of the vessel by any suitable means. 
         [0058]    In a further embodiment, there may be arranged several plastic bags at the inside surface of the lid. The lid may be removed during the evaluation stage for having access to the lungs. Then, the lid is added and the plastic bags are expanded in the downward direction. The plastic bags may be exposed to vacuum during the manufacturing so that the plastic bags are fully collapsed towards the lower surface of the lid. When the gas supply is opened, the plastic bag falls down and expands. 
         [0059]    Another arrangement is shown in  FIG. 7 , in which four pressure chambers  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  are arranged adjacent each corner of the vessel. Each pressure chamber is provided with a gas inlet  45 ,  46 ,  47 , and  48  for the supply of gas. 
         [0060]    The pressure chambers or plastic bags may be filled with a gas having substantially lower specific density than the preservation solution or liquid in the vessel. This means that the pressure inside the pressure chamber will be equal irrespectively of the height position inside the vessel. 
         [0061]    The plastic bags will expand first in the upper part of the vessel, which is filled with air and where there is substantially no solution, so that the plastic bags occupies all free space around the organ, which is above the solution level. The pressure inside the pressure chambers is still only about atmospheric pressure. 
         [0062]    Then, at increased pressure in the pressure chambers, the solution level will rise as the pressure chambers displaces the solution until it covers the lungs as desired. 
         [0063]    In an alternative embodiment, the pressure medium is a liquid having a density, which is lower than the density of the preservation solution. Then, the function will be substantially the same, but the solution level will start rising in an earlier phase compared when gas is used as pressure medium. 
         [0064]    In a further alternative embodiment, the gas inlets  35 ,  36  or  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  are connected to the atmosphere, while the opening  27  is connected to a suction device  54 , which upon activation sucks out air from the interior of the vessel  10 , which vessel  10  in this embodiment is substantially airtight, as shown in  FIG. 5 . When air is sucked out from vessel  10 , the pressure chambers  31 ,  32  or  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 , will expand in the same manner as described above, since air moves into the pressure chamber via the inlets, which are open to the atmosphere. When substantially all air is sucked out of the vessel, and upon application of an underpressure to the vessel  10 , the liquid level  38  starts to rise as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in exactly the same manner. The difference is that atmospheric pressure prevails in the pressure chambers while an underpressure or subpressure of for example 5 to 20 cm water-pillar below the atmospheric pressure is present inside the vessel  10  between the walls  33  and  34 . There is a good reason to maintain an underpressure around the lungs, since the lungs in the normal operation inside the body is exposed to a slight under pressure. Thus, the method according to the present embodiment may be said to be more physiological. The upper part of the lung is exposed to substantially atmospheric pressure and the lower portion of the lung is exposed to an under pressure corresponding to the water-pillar from the top to the bottom of the lung. The pressure chambers may be connected to a source of gas at substantially atmospheric pressure in this method, or directly to the atmosphere. 
         [0065]    Since the plastic bag can be slightly permeable to the gas, the preservation solution can receive some gas from the gas inside the pressure chambers. This feature can be used for gas exchange with the solution. Then gas supplied to the bag could be oxygen or any gas mixture to achieve correct parameters of the solution. 
         [0066]    There is a risk that the plastic material may adhere to the lungs and prevent the preservation solution from coming into contact with the outer surface of the lungs, at least at certain locations. This risk may be avoided by coating the exterior of the lungs with a packing in linen similar to the cloths used during surgery. Another alternative is to form the outer surface of the plastic bag with a hydrophilic surface. Still another alternative is to arrange protrusions or channels in the surface of the plastic bag. 
         [0067]      FIG. 8  shows the surface of the plastic bag facing the lungs. The surface is provided with small protrusions  51  as shown in  FIG. 8 , having a lateral dimension of for example 3*5 mm and a height of for example about 1 mm. The preservation solution may pass beyond the protrusions, which may be arranged staggered as shown. 
         [0068]    Other organs than the lungs may benefit of the present embodiments. Thus, lungs without the heart may be used. Other organs are heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, small intestines, etc. The organs may be harvested from a human, or from another mammal, such as a pig, horse, cow, etc. A pig heart or kidney may possibly in the future be used for xeno-transplantation to a human. 
         [0069]    The solutions specifically mentioned above are Steen Solution and Perfadex. Other solutions may be used in the embodiments. There is no requirement that the solution should be cheap or expensive. There may be other reasons not to add further solution during evaluation and/or preservation of organs. For example, the addition of further solution may alter the oncotic or osmotic pressure of the solution resulting in risk for edema. Moreover, addition of solution may risk addition of non-wanted agents such as bacteria or poisonous substances or endotoxins. 
         [0070]    The material used in the pressure chamber should be sufficiently flexible to allow expansion. A flexible plastic material may be polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyethene, polyvinyl chloride, PET, or polytetrafluorethen. 
         [0071]    The material in the pressure chamber does not need to be elastic. However, a certain elasticity may help in some applications. A non-elastic material may be used in other applications. The material in the pressure chamber may be transparent so that the organ may be inspected during use. 
         [0072]    The vessel may also be transparent for the same reason. 
         [0073]      FIG. 9  discloses a further embodiment of a vessel intended for lungs or a heart-lung-block. It is noted that the lungs comprise a recess where the spine is normally positioned. This spine recess can be used for orientation purpose of the lungs. 
         [0074]    The vessel  61  shown in  FIG. 9  comprises a support or surface  62  at which the lung is to be positioned. The surface  62  comprises a ridge  63  intended for being positioned at the spine recess of the lung. In this manner, the lung is properly oriented. 
         [0075]    At each side, the surface  62  comprises recesses  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  intended to conduct the solution from the surface  62  towards a collection space  68 . The collection space  68  is arranged at the side of the vessel  61  as is shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . The recesses  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  are connected to the collection space  68  via a recess  69  and a foam filter  70 . From the collection space  68 , the solution leaves the vessel  61  via an outlet  71 . 
         [0076]    The collection space  68  is used for enclosing the fluid required for the process, which may be an evaluation fluid and/or a preservation fluid. 
         [0077]    When the organ is to be preserved and/or stored, it may be desired to cover the organ with fluid. In order to accomplish this, a body  72  may be arranged in the collection space  68  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The displacement device or body  72  is shaped to fit into the collection space  68  and displace much of the fluid in the collection space. In this way, the fluid will instead immerse the organ. 
         [0078]    Another embodiment for immersing the organ is shown in  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, the collection space  78  has a variable volume. The collection space  78  comprises a bottom surface  73 , which at the right end in  FIG. 12  is pivotable around a shaft  74 . The left portion of the collection space  78  is formed by a flexible wall  75 . In this way, the volume of the collection space  78  may be adjusted as desired. 
         [0079]    Other manners of adjusting the volume of the collection space may also be used, such as plungers or expandable balloons arranged inside the collection space. 
         [0080]    A further embodiment of a vessel for evaluating and/or preservation of lungs is shown in  FIGS. 13 to 15 . 
         [0081]    A vessel  80  comprises a main chamber  82  and a collection chamber  88  provided with an outlet  81 . The main chamber comprises an insert vessel  83 , which occupies most of the space of the main chamber  82 . The insert vessel has a bottom wall  84  inclining towards the left in  FIG. 13 . At the left end of the bottom wall, there is an outlet slit or opening  85 . Thus, liquid accumulating on top of the bottom wall  84  will flow to the left in  FIG. 13  and pass via opening  85  down to a bottom wall  86  of the vessel  80 , which slopes in the other direction. Thus, the liquid will flow to the right in  FIG. 13  and pass a foam filter  87  and accumulate in the collection space  88 . 
         [0082]    A side wall  91  at the right side of the vessel comprises two openings  92  and  93 , see  FIG. 14 . A first tube  94  extends through the upper opening  93  for connection to a trachea of the lung to be evaluated and/or preserved. A second tube  95  extends through the lower opening  92  and above the bottom wall  84  of the insert  83  to the left side of the vessel. At the left side, the second tube extends over an arc  96  and passes through a slit  97  in a protrusion of the insert vessel  83  as clearly appears from  FIG. 14 . The second tube opens to the right in the main chamber  82  in order to be connected to the blood vessels of the lung to be evaluated. The second tube  95  has such a dimension that it fits with friction in the slit  97 . The friction fit is sufficiently rigid for maintaining the second tube in position and sufficiently lose for being moveable in the slit to be adapted to a desired position. Thus, connection of the second tube  95  to the blood vessels of the lungs is facilitated. Moreover, the position of the second tube is substantially unaltered during operation in spite of the fact that the lung is ventilated via the first tube  94  and the trachea. 
         [0083]      FIG. 15  shows a lid  99  which may be arranged above the vessel  80  in order to protect the lung during periods when the lungs are not exposed to the evaluator. The lid prevents drying of the organ. 
         [0084]    The lid  99  may be turned upside down and has a shape so that it fits inside the main chamber  82  during transport and before use. 
         [0085]    The lid  99  may be made from a resilient material so that it may be arranged upside down when the organ is under preservation and during transport to partially fix the organ in position. 
         [0086]    The vessel  80  may be provided with means for immersing the organ during preservation similar to the embodiments described above. 
         [0087]    Alternatively or additionally, the organ may be covered by linen and be kept wet by a flow of liquid out of the open end of the second tube  95 , which in this position is disconnected from the organ. 
         [0088]    The fact that the first tube  94  for the ventilation of the lungs and the second tube  95  for the liquid supply are arranged at the same side of the vessel  80  is of particular advantage for the handling of the device. 
         [0089]    For organs, which do not need a gas supply, the first tube  94  can be removed and the opening  93  can be closed. 
         [0090]    Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims and other embodiments than those specifically described above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims. 
         [0091]    In the claims, the term “comprises/comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by e.g. a single unit or process. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms “a”, “an”, “first”, “second” etc do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.