How Technology Has Transformed Organ Donation and Transplantation

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

. http://yourhealthmagazine.net

More Health Technology Articles

How Technology Has Transformed Organ Donation and Transplantation

Tens of thousands of organ donations are performed in the United States every year. That’s tens of thousands of people whose lives were potentially saved by the selfless actions of others.  While organ donation and transplantation can only happen because of people, technology has played an enormous role in the ongoing advancements and improved access for many. Keep reading to learn about how technology has transformed this field. 

Databases and Platforms

Whether you’re a researcher needing corneal tissue for transplant or research purposes, or a doctor seeking a compatible match for an organ between a donor and recipient, it’s now much easier than ever before, thanks to databases and platforms. Computerized databases use complex algorithms to analyze medical data and find compatible donor and recipient matches in a way that’s more efficient and faster than ever before.

We can also use machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict organ viability and the potential risks of rejection. This technology does so by analyzing datasets to identify patterns that aren’t visible to the human eye. AI models are trained on historical patient data to allow for a more personalized approach to transplants. 

Before the advent of innovative databases and platforms, organ allocation and transplantation relied on manual processes, such as phone calls, faxes, and blood type matching. The inefficiency of this process led to lengthy delays. 

Organ Preservation and Transport

We are still a long way from perfect organ preservation and transport practices. In the five years between 2014 and 2019, almost 170 organs were unable to be transplanted due to transportation issues. However, that’s not to say technology hasn’t reduced near misses and increased the window of opportunity for transplantation.

There have been several recent advances in organ transplantation and regenerative medicine that have highlighted possible effective preservation techniques for organs. 

For example, scientists have explored supercooling, a preservation technique that involves maintaining the temperature below freezing without forming ice. This preservation approach has shown promise in extending the stability of bio-specimens, but successful transplantation is yet to be established. 

Cryopreservation by vitrification is another option scientists are exploring, and it’s considered the most promising for long-term organ preservation. This is another ice-free method of cryopreservation that cools samples, like cells and embryos, to cryogenic temperatures without forming ice crystals. It relies on cryoprotectant agents and rapid cooling to solidify water into a glass-like state, not ice. This prevents the damage frequently caused by ice crystals, thereby improving cell survival. 

Even the process for getting organs to recipients is changing. We may soon rely on drones to transport organs from point to point to overcome traditional logistical challenges in organ transportation. 

According to a professor of surgery at the UC San Francisco Medical Center, transplant surgeries are frequently held up due to pilot and aircraft availability. However, the use of drones may soon change that. In 2019, a drone transported a kidney on a University of Maryland flight in Baltimore, and in 2021, a lung was transported via a Unithery Bioelectronics drone. Both organs were implanted in patients. 

Bioengineering and 3D Printing

The reality is that successful organ donation and transplantation are never guaranteed. Healthcare professionals won’t always find what their patients need, and there’s also a risk of immune rejection if they do.

That’s why advancements in bioengineering and 3D printing are so welcomed. Scientists are now using 3D bioprinting and stem cell technology to grow tissues in the lab. There’s also potential for them to grow entire organs. In the future, these organs could be grown using a patient’s own cells, eliminating the risk of immune rejection. 

We’ve already come a long way in this regard. Cardiac structures have been created via bioprinting to reconstruct various parts of the human heart, including valves, myocardium, and vasculature. Recent advancements have also been made in the construction of soft tissues. The hope is that we’ll eventually be able to engineer full-size human hearts. 

Bionic Organs

While it sounds like something out of science fiction, bionic organs are helping patients survive while they wait for transplants. Sometimes, bionic organs have replaced the need for a donor organ altogether. There are already multiple artificial organ types in development, including esophageal, sphincter, and heart devices, as well as ventricular assist devices and artificial myocardium systems. 

In most cases, bionic or artificial organs are implanted into or integrated onto a human to replace a natural organ or restore a specific function. These advancements are saving people’s lives. Regarding artificial kidneys alone, 100,000 people are alive because of them. The hope is that we’ll be able to develop a totally artificial heart. 

Training

Practice makes perfect. The problem is that when surgeons are anything but precise, people can lose their lives. Fortunately, robotic systems and 3D imaging in recent years have enabled greater precision and safety.

Surgeons can plan complex procedures using detailed digital models. They can also use virtual and augmented reality simulations to digitally perform their surgeries and refine their techniques before undertaking the real procedure. When doing transplants, they can also take advantage of AI-guided robotic tools. AI-guided robotic tools improve surgical precision and minimize invasiveness. Patients can often experience less blood loss and, as a result, faster recovery times.  

Awareness 

Advancements in technology for organ donation and transplantation haven’t just been about exciting and innovative methods for preserving and recreating organs. They have also been about spreading the message of organ donation and improving recipients’ chances of getting what they need.

In the modern age, with social media, electronic health records, online registries, and mobile apps, organ donation has undoubtedly become more straightforward and more accessible. People can sign up and update their donor status, and read social media campaigns about the importance of organ donation. There’s no denying that social media has caused harm, but it’s also a reason why donor numbers have increased.  

While we still have a long way to go before organ donation and transplantation are a seamless process for all involved, we have certainly gained ground. Several technological advancements have made it easier to access, receive, and plan successful organ transplant surgeries.