Abstract:
This invention is a registry for humans in need of an organ transplantation who, in exchange for an organ or part of an organ which meets their needs, are willing to donate an organ or part of an organ for transplantation to another human in need of an organ transplantation. The exchange may be direct between two individuals, for example between a first patient in need of a kidney who donates a lung lobe to a second patient in need of a lung lobe, while the second patient donates a kidney to the first patient. In another embodiment, the exchange is indirect and involves greater than two patients, for example, the donation of a kidney by a first patient to a second patient, the donation of a liver lobe by the second patient to a third patient, and the donation of a lung lobe by the third patient to the first patient. This registry insures the maximum availability of organ donations by living persons.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
         [0003]     Reference to a “Microfiche appendix.” 
         [0004]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     This invention relates to increasing the supply of human organs for transplantation.  
         [0006]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0007]     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 AND 37 CFR 1.98.  
         [0008]     This patent application discloses an improved method of increasing the supply of human organs for transplantation, the Human Organ Exchange Program (PROGRAM).  
         [0009]     Many lives could be saved, and vast suffering relieved, if the supply of human organs were increased to approximate the need for such tissues. Thousands of patients are on waiting lists for organs; a substantial number of such patients die each year. There are only two sources for human organs, living and deceased donors. There is general agreement that organs from living donors provide better results than those from deceased donors.  
         [0010]     This invention is a process which pairs two persons who have compatible parameters for transplantation, each of whom are in need of transplanted organs or portions of organs. A. transplantation donor for a specific organ or portion of an organ would act as a transplantation recipient for a different organ or portion of an organ. The process can be extended to three or more subjects. This invention will extend to all patients who need organ transplantations the opportunity to exchange with other patients all or part of a healthy organ they have for all or part of a healthy organ they need.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,725 discloses a system which reads a medical information card to determine and utilize the patient&#39;s background medical and insurance information. A central database is used to determine the insurance payments.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,387 discloses a registry for placental and umbilical cord stem cells. A central database is used to store information on cord blood. The cells are stored for potential use by the child, the family of the child, or unrelated matched recipients.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,589 discloses a continuous auction system for a computer network (internet) with provisions for data concerning the type, number of items, minimum bids, and time parameters used to determine the optimum time for closing the auction and starting the next auction.  
         [0014]     Published U.S. Pat. Application No. US 2002/0049642 discloses a system in which a customer enters data on a product and the database is accessed for matching products, and the information is transmitted to the customer.  
         [0015]     The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network has developed policies covering the donation and receipt of human organs. Policy 3 at 3.5.11.6 provides the assignment of 4 points to a candidate recipient for a kidney transportation to patients which have donated for transplantation in the U.S. his or her vital organs or a segment of a vital organ (i.e., kidney, liver segment, lung segment, partial pancreas, small bowel segment). This raises the priority of a person on a waiting list for a kidney if that person has donated a vital organ. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, Policy 3 [online], Organ Distribution, 3.5.11.6, Donation Status, pages 3-21 to 3.22, Nov. 15, 2002 [retrieved on Jun. 16, 2003]. Retrieved from www.optn.org.  
         [0016]     A living donor and cadaveric exchange program has been initiated. In this program, a mother, who was not biologically compatible with her son, donated a kidney to a stranger, thus allowing her 13-year-old son to move to the top of the waiting list for a cadaveric kidney transplant. Another variation is called “Paired Exchange.” In a paired exchange there is a first family with a member who is willing but unable to donate a kidney to a first family member in need. This first pair seeks out a similar second pair in which the first donor is compatible with the second pair recipient and the second pair donor is compatible with the first pair recipient. There then is an exchange of kidneys in which all participants are living. Linda Ohler, Expanding the Donor Pool with Living Donors. Progress in Transplantation, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2001, pages 160-161 [retrieved on Jun. 26, 2003]. Retrieved from www.medscape.com/viewarticle/414080.  
         [0017]     None of the prior art disclosures fulfill the objectives of the present patent application, that of increasing the supply of human organs and partial organs through a process of pairing persons in need of an organ transplantation with the donation of one organ and receipt of another organ by each person in need of an organ.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     This invention is a method for creating and maintaining a human organ exchange program (PROGRAM). The PROGRAM is for use of a first patient in need of a human organ or part of an organ transplantation who is willing and able to donate a different organ or portion of an organ to a second patient in exchange for the organ or part of an organ for which the first person has a need which is donated by the second patient (each patient is termed a “donor-recipient”). In a second embodiment, the exchange is not direct between two donor-recipients but indirect, between three or more donor-recipients. The invention comprises the steps of creating a new donor-recipient record for a potential donor-recipient comprising compatibility parameters, and matching criteria including the needed organ or part of organ, and organ or part of organ which can be donated. The donor-recipient record is stored in a database for access and searching by other donor-recipients. The donor-recipient records in the database are modified as the donor-recipient&#39;s circumstances change.  
         [0019]     One objective of this invention is to match, facilitate and arrange the organ exchange between organ transplantation candidates over the world.  
         [0020]     Another objective of this invention is to relieve the suffering and mortality of patients in need of organ transplantation by increasing the supply of organs for transplantation.  
         [0021]     Another objective is to reduce the cost associated with living donor organ donation.  
         [0022]     Another objective is to reduce the cost associated with the treatment of patients on the waiting list for an organ transplantation.  
         [0023]     Another objective is to create a database containing donor-recipient records.  
         [0024]     A final objective is to facilitate the transplantation of human organs or parts of organs to patients in need without adverse effects on the environment. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic depiction of an exchange of organs between two patients.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic depiction of an exchange of organs between three patients.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic depiction of an exchange of organs between more than three patients.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic depiction of the network to be used to implement the PROGRAM.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the processes to be used in creating a donor-recipient record, entering the record into the database, and searching the database for matches.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the processes to be used in updating the PROGRAM database after a suitable exchange has been identified by a search of the database.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the processes to be used in updating the PROGRAM database when no suitable exchange has been identified by a search of the database.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of the relationships between users at a transplantation center, PROGRAM software, and the database.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing the flow of information between files comprising the registry in the PROGRAM database and between the transplantation centers. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     A number of human organs can be donated by living donors without significant adverse effect on the donor. For example, a single kidney can be donated with little risk to the donor. The remaining kidney compensates to provide the function of both kidneys. A living donor can donate a segment of the liver. The liver has the capacity to regenerate the segment that was removed and the liver regains full function. Living donors can donate a lobe of the lung. Although lung lobes do not regenerate, the lack of a single lobe does not have a significant effect on the donor. The donation of a single lobe of the lung can be life-saving to a recipient in need of such a donation. Similarly, living individuals can donate a portion of the pancreas. Like the lung, the pancreas does not regenerate but living donors usually have no problems with reduced pancreas function. Similarly, the donation of a small bowel segment does not entail significant risk in function to a living donor. Blood and bone marrow can be donated by living donors without adverse effect. It will be expected that medical science will expand the list of organs and body parts that can be donated by living donors.  
         [0035]     In this patent application each patient of a set of two or more patients, in which a first patient in need of a human organ or part of an organ transplantation who is willing and able to donate a different organ or portion of an organ to a second patient in exchange for the organ or part of an organ for which the first person has a need which is donated by the second patient. Each patient involved is termed a “donor-recipient.” An organ or part of an organ are termed “organ.” An organs or part of an organ which can be donated without substantial and lasting adverse effect on the donor are termed “donatable organs.” A database of donor-recipients which store the data and can be searched for matches between donor-recipients is termed a “registry.” 
         [0036]     The age of an organ donor is not a preventive factor in donation, except to the degree that the size of the organ to be donated is a factor of age. Only a very few medical conditions preclude organ donation, and it is to be expected that progress in medical science will reduce the number of persons unable to donate organs.  
         [0037]     Participants in the database of this invention would be paired according to “compatibility parameters” and “matching criteria.” The primary “compatibility parameter” is blood type. Other compatibility parameters include HLA-A, B, and DR antigens, cross-matching, and PRA status. Other compatibility parameters vary according to the organs involved. It is to be expected that medical science will expand or contract the compatibility parameters in the future. In addition, it is possible that the compatibility parameters used in the PROGRAM of this invention may differ from compatibility parameters used in other programs.  
         [0038]     The “matching criteria” include the type and size of the organs needed and those which could be donated. Some other matching criteria may be involved, including the medical urgency of the recipient, the degree of immune-system match between donor and recipient, and whether the recipient is a child or an adult. Other matching criteria include age, sex, insurance and other financial information, the urgency and preferred time limit for completing the exchange, and the patient&#39;s health status. It is to be expected that medical science will expand or contract the matching criteria in the future. In addition, it is possible that the matching criteria used in the PROGRAM of this invention may differ from the matching criteria used in other programs.  
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic depiction of an exchange of donatable organs between two patients. In  FIG. 1 , a first patient  12  has need of a kidney and is capable of donating other donatable organs. A second patient  14  has need of a lung lobe but is capable of donating other donatable organs including a kidney. Each patient has a need for a different donatable organ. Both patients have similar compatibility parameters and matching criteria which indicate good prospects for an exchange of organs. Step  16  indicates the donation of a lung lobe by the first patient  12  to the second patient  14  in a transplantation process. Step  18  indicates the donation of a kidney by the second patient  14  to the first patient  12  in a transplantation process. Each of the patients must undergo two operations, the operation to remove the organ to be donated, and the operation to receive the organ for which the patient has a need. Both operations to donate and receive an organ could be done for both patients at the same time or one operation could be delayed, according to the individual medical needs of the patients as determined at the individual transplant centers. Although the Example in  FIG. 1  involves the donation and receipt of a kidney and lung lobe, any donatable organs may be used. The order of the transplantation operations is dictated by medical considerations and is not important to the process of the invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic depiction of an exchange of organs between three patients. In  FIG. 2 , a first patient  22  has need of a kidney and is capable of donating other donatable organs. A second patient  24  has need of a lung lobe but is capable of donating other donatable organs. A third patient  26  has need of a liver lobe but is capable of donating other donatable organs. All three patients have similar compatibility parameters and matching criteria which indicate good prospects for an exchange of organs. Step  21  indicates the donation of a lung lobe by the first patient  22  to the second patient  24  in a transplantation process. Step  23  indicates the donation of a liver lobe by the second patient  24  to the third patient  26  in a transplantation process. Step  25  indicates the donation of a kidney by the third patient  26  to the first patient  22  in a transplantation process. Each one of the patients must undergo two operations, the operation to remove the organ to be donated, and the operation to receive the organ for which the patient has a need. Both operations to donate and receive an organ could be done for all patients at the same time or one or all operation(s) could be delayed, according to the individual medical needs of the patients as determined at the individual transplant centers. Although the Example in  FIG. 2  involves the donation and receipt of a kidney, lung lobe, and liver lobe, any donatable organs may be used. The order of the transplantation operations is dictated by medical considerations and is not important to the process of the invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic depiction of an exchange of organs between more than three patients. In  FIG. 3 , a first patient  32  has need of a kidney and is capable of donating other donatable organs. A second patient  34  has need of a lung lobe but is capable of donating other donatable organs. One of N patients, with N greater than two, has need of a liver lobe but is capable of donating other donatable organs. Additional patients, indicated as N patients, have need of donatable organs and are capable of donating other donatable organs. All patients have similar compatibility parameters and matching criteria which indicate good prospects for an exchange of organs. Step  31  indicates the donation of a lung lobe by the first patient  32  to the second patient  34  in a transplantation process. Step  33  indicates the donation of a liver lobe by the second patient  34  to the first of N patients  36  in a transplantation process. Additional transplantation steps involving the N patients are analogous to the steps in  FIG. 2  but are not shown in  FIG. 3 . Step  35  indicates the donation of a kidney by the last patient of N patients  36  to the first patient  32  in a transplantation process. Each one of the patients must undergo two operations, the operation to remove the organ to be donated, and the operation to receive the organ for which the patient has a need. Although the Example in  FIG. 3  involves the donation and receipt of a kidney, lung lobe, and liver lobe, any donatable organs may be used. Both operations to donate and receive an organ could be done for all patients at the same time or one or more operation(s) could be delayed, according to the individual medical needs of the patients as determined at the individual transplant centers. The order of the transplantation operations is dictated by medical considerations and is not important to the process of the invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic depiction of the network to be used to implement the PROGRAM. In  FIG. 4 , Patients (A)  100 , (B)  102 , and (C)  104 , all in need of an organ transplantation, communicate with and are evaluated by medical teams at transplantation centers # 1   120 , # 2   122 , and # 3   124 , respectively, by personal visitation or other communication routes, such as telemedicine,  110 ,  112 , and  114 , respectively. Each patient is evaluated for the compatibility parameters and matching criteria including the organ or part of organ which is needed and the organ or part of organ or organs which can be donated. The compatibility parameters and matching criteria are entered into computers  130 ,  132 , and  134  using PROGRAM software at each transplantation center,  120 ,  122 , and  124 , respectively, via the data communication conduits  127 ,  123 , and  125 , respectively. A donor-recipient record is created for each patient A, B, and C. Each transplantation center computer  130 ,  132 , and  134 , using PROGRAM software, stores and communicates the donor-recipient records to a PROGRAM database  140  located in one or more server computers  142 . Communication between the transplantation center computers and server computer or computers  142  via a worldwide computer network, telephone lines, wireless communications, or other data communication conduits  131 ,  133 ,  135 , respectively.  
         [0043]     The PROGRAM software enters and stores the compatibility parameter and matching criteria (donor-recipient record) for patients A  100 , B  102 , and C  104 , into the PROGRAM database  140  in the PROGRAM server  142 . Transplant or transplantation centers include hospitals, organ transplantation program, and organ procurement organizations. The transplant center computers  130 ,  132 , and  134 , using PROGRAM software, then search the PROGRAM database  140  and data communication conduits  141 ,  143 , and  145 , respectively, determines the matching of patients A  100 , B  102 , and C  104 , respectively, with each other and with all other patients&#39; donor-recipient records in the database  140 . Information on the matches is communicated from the transplant center computers  130 ,  132 , and  134  to the respective transplantation center medical teams # 1   120 , # 2   122 , and # 3   124  via the data communication conduits  126 ,  127 , and  128 , respectively. There may be multiple medical teams which are dispersed throughout the transplantation centers. Communication between the transplant center computers and the medical teams uses convention communication means such as telephones, hard wired computer terminals, PDAs, pocket personal computers or wireless communications. Technical development in the area of communication conduits and routes is very rapid and it is anticipated that other suitable communication conduits will be developed and implemented. Information on the matches is communicated from the transplantation center medical teams # 1   120 , # 2   122 , and # 3   124  to patients A  100 , B  102 , and  104 , respectively, via communication routs  116 ,  117 , and  118  respectively.  
         [0044]     Alternatively, the PROGRAM server  142  searches the PROGRAM database  140  using PROGRAM software and determines the matching of patients A  100 , B  102 , and C  104  with each other and all other patient&#39;s donor-recipient records. Information on the matches is communicated from the PROGRAM server  142  to the respective transplantation center computers  130 ,  132 , and  134  via the data communication conduits  141 ,  143 , and  145 , respectively. Information on the matches is communicated from the transplant center computers  130 ,  132 , and  134  to the respective transplantation center medical teams # 1   120 , # 2   122 , and # 3   124  via the data communication conduits  126 ,  127 , and  128 , respectively. Information on the matches is communicated from the transplantation center medical teams # 1   120 , # 2   122 , and # 3   124  to patients A  100 , B  102 , and  104 , respectively, via communication routes  116 ,  117 , and  118  respectively. Although  FIG. 4  shows three patients, the process may be used for an unlimited number of patients.  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the processes to be used in creating a donor-recipient record, entering the record into the database, and searching the database for matches. Patient  100 , in need of an organ transplantation, communicate with and are evaluated by medical teams at transplantation center  120  by personal visitation or other communication route  110 . The patient is evaluated for willingness to engage in the PROGRAM, the compatibility parameters, and matching criteria including the organ or part of organ which is needed and the organ or part of organ or organs which can be donated. Data comprising the compatibility parameters  184  are entered into the transplantation center computer comprising PROGRAM software  130  via communication conduit  180  and data comprising matching criteria  182  are entered into the transplantation center computer comprising PROGRAM software  130  via communication conduit  170 . The data comprising compatibility parameters  184  and data comprising matching criteria  182  comprise a donor-recipient record for patient  100  termed the requesting donor-recipient record  190 . The transplantation center computer comprising PROGRAM software  130  communicates the requesting donor-recipient record  190  to a PROGRAM database  140  located in a server computer  142  via a worldwide computer network, telephone lines, or other data communication conduits  131 .  
         [0046]     The PROGRAM software enters and stores the requesting patient donor-recipient record  190  into the PROGRAM database  140  located in the PROGRAM server  142 . The transplant center computer  130 , using PROGRAM software, searches the PROGRAM database  140  with communication between the transplant center computer  130  and database server  142  via data communication conduits  131 , and  141 . The transplant center computer  130 , using PROGRAM software, determines the possible matching of the requesting donor-recipient record  190  of patient  100  with all other donor-recipient records in the database  140 .  
         [0047]     If a suitable match between patient donor-recipient records is found  162 , the matched donor-recipient record or records  164  are communicated via communication conduit  160  to the transplant center  120 . Information on the matches is communicated from the transplantation center medical teams  120  to patient  100  via communication routes  116 .  
         [0048]     If no suitable match between the requesting donor-recipient record  190  and all other donor-recipient records in the database  140 , information on the lack of match  152  is communicated to the transplant center  120  via communication conduit  150 . In addition, other matching option information  154  on donor-recipient records in the database which do not match the requesting donor-recipient record but have some data in common with the requesting donor-recipient record are communicated to the transplant center  120  via communication conduit  150 . Information on the lack of matches  152  and on other matching options  154  is communicated from the transplantation center medical teams  120  to patient  100  via communication routes  116 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the processes to be used after a suitable exchange is identified. A suitable match between donor-recipients is identified from the PROGRAM database. The matching donor-recipient record or records  164  are transmitted to the requesting transplant center  120  via the data communication conduit  160 . The requesting transplant center  120  communicates this information with the patient  100  via established communication route  116 . If the requesting patient  100  and requesting transplant center  120  wishes to pursue the transplant, the requesting transplant center  120  communicates with the transplant center  122  (or centers if multiple matches are identified) which represents the patient having a matching donor-recipient record via communication conduits  192  and  194 . Although two Transplantation Centers are shown in  FIG. 6 , there may be three or more Transplantation Centers involved in an exchange.  
         [0050]     Information concerning the transplantation  197  is communicated by the requesting transplant center to the transplant center computer  130  comprising PROGRAM software  190  via communication conduit  170 . If the transplantation is completed  196  the involved donor-recipient records are amended to reflect the event and the records are removed from the searchable waiting list database  140 .  
         [0051]     If, for any reason, the transplantation is not completed  198  the involved donor-recipient records are modified to reflect these facts and the involved donor-recipient records are retained in the searchable wait list database  140 .  
         [0052]     The information concerning the transplantation is communicated from the requesting transplant center computer  130  to the PROGRAM database  140  in the PROGRAM server  142  via a communication conduit  131 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the processes to be used when no suitable exchange is identified using the PROGRAM database. This fact  152  is conveyed to the requesting transplant center  120 , along with other matching options  154 , possible matches which would be possible if the compatibility parameters and or the matching criteria were modified and made less stringent, via communication conduit  150 . The transplant center  120  and the requesting patient  100  communicate via communication routes  116  and  110 . They decide whether to modify the compatibility parameters and matching criteria with acceptance of the possibility of increased underlying risks.  
         [0054]     If the requesting transplant center  120  and requesting patient  100  decide to modify  195  the compatibility parameters and or the matching criteria, the modified donor-recipient record is communicated from the requesting transplant center computer  130  to the PROGRAM database  140  in the PROGRAM server  142  via a communication conduit  131 . The requesting donor-recipient record is replaced by the modified donor-recipient record and the database  140  is searched again for a match with the modified donor-recipient record.  
         [0055]     Any patient having a donor-recipient record in the registry can at any time modify his or her donor-recipient record using the processes in the above two paragraphs.  
         [0056]     If the transplant center  120  and patient  100  decide not to modify the requesting donor-recipient record  193 , the requesting donor-recipient record is retained in the wait list database  140  for future matches with other donor-recipient records.  
         [0057]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of the relationships between users at a transplantation center, PROGRAM software, and the database. The PROGRAM system includes software and a database. In  FIG. 8 , the user  200  are the members of the transplantation team at a transplantation center and any other person authorized for access to the PROGRAM database, such as persons involved in scientific studies of the PROGRAM processes. The users enter  202  data regarding donor-recipients, including donor-recipient records, and information concerning the transplantation center and the medical personal at the transplantation center into the transplantation center computer  130  using the PROGRAM software. Modification of the above data also is entered  204 . The user  200  enters specific instructions  205  for use of the data, such as entry into the waiting list, or searching the waiting list using the software. The transplantation center computer  130  transfers  210  the data from the transplantation center computer to the server  142  to be entered into and stored in the database  140 . Modifications to the data stored in the database  140  are transferred  212  by the transplantation center computer  130 . The transplantation center computer  130  transfers specific instructions  215  for use of the data, such as searching the database for matches between donor-recipient records. Results of the instructions for use of the data are transferred  217  from the database  140  and server  142  to the transplantation center computer  130 . The transplantation center computer  130  transfers  207  the results to the user  200 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing the flow of information between files comprising the registry in the PROGRAM database and the transplantation center  130 . The PROGRAM registry or database located in the PROGRAM server comprises at least five files. The waiting list file is a collection of donor-recipient records of patients waiting for a suitable match for transplantation. The waiting list file also includes the donor-recipient records of patients who have already undergone an organ exchange, but who are in need of an additional organ donation. Donor-recipient records  310  and modifications to donor-recipient records are sent from the transplantation centers  130  to the waiting list  320  file. Matches  330  between donor-recipient records identified by searches are communicated to the transplantation centers. The completed exchange  350  file contains information concerning completed PROGRAM organ exchanges which is provided by the transplantation centers, and includes information on the condition of the involved patients. The non-completed  340  file contains information on matches which were identified from the wait list but, for whatever reason, did not result in an exchange of organs. Donor-recipient records in the non-completed file  340  are also entered in the waiting list  320  file. The transplantation center  360  file contains information concerning the transplantation centers and their experience with the PROGRAM program. The medical team  370  file contains information concerning the physicians and medical teams involved in the PROGRAM process which includes current positions and experience with transplantation.  
         [0059]     It is anticipated that other files will be added to the database as appropriate. Each file is periodically modified to include the latest information concerning the participants in the PROGRAM system. It is anticipated that the files will be modified to reflect the deaths of patients, desire to be removed from the waiting list, changes in venue of the medical team members, and other relevant information. The files will provide valuable information for scientific study of the PROGRAM process. Information on the individuals involved will be released and used only in compliance with all laws.  
         [0060]     The patients and transplant centers typically located dispersed throughout a country to facilitate visits by the patient to the transplant center. The transplant centers can be in any country. The PROGRAM server and database may be in a single location, but also may be located in a number of locations.  
         [0061]     Any suitable personal computer with adequate speed and capacity may be used as a transplantation center computer.  
         [0062]     Any suitable server computer with adequate speed and storage capacity may be used as a computer for storing and, if desired, searching the database comprising the human organ exchange program registry.  
         [0063]     Any suitable software which is used for creating databases and for searching databases may be used for the PROGRAM software located at the transplant centers. Any suitable software used for storing and searching large numbers of records in a database may be used for the PROGRAM software located at the database server. A preferred software is the PROGRAM software which executes the processes shown on  FIGS. 8 and 9  and disclosed in detail in the discussion of  FIGS. 8 and 9  above.  
         [0064]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the examples and embodiments described herein are by way of illustration and not of limitation, and that other examples may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.