| CPC A01N 1/021 (2013.01) | 23 Claims |
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1. A perfusion device for the normothermic, ex vivo preservation of a mammalian brain, the device comprising:
a perfusion loop comprising a filtration loop having at least one hemodiafiltration unit adapted and configured to remove metabolic toxins from and add nutrients to a perfusate; and
a controller programmed to regulate at least a perfusate temperature within the perfusion loop to maintain normothermic conditions; and
a brain enclosure unit adapted and configured to receive and house a mammalian brain; and
a heat exchange unit adapted and configured to regulate the temperature of the brain enclosure unit and the perfusion loop;
wherein the perfusion loop is adapted and configured to oxygenate/carboxygenate the perfusate and circulate the perfusate through the brain contained within the brain enclosure unit; and
wherein, the perfusate comprises:
a culture medium comprising glucose, one or more amino acids, one or more water soluble salts and one more vitamins;
one or more artificial oxygen carrier compounds; and
one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of anti-cytotoxic compounds, antioxidants, anti-necrotic compounds, antiexcitotoxic compounds, anti-inflammatory compounds, antiepileptic compounds, anti-apoptotic compounds, antibiotics, cell death inhibitors, neuroprotectants and oxidative/nitrosative stress inhibitors.
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