Paragonix Technologies, a US-based company specialising in organ transplant technology, together with Vanderbilt Health, has announced the successful transplantation of a donor kidney using the Paragonix KidneyVault Renal Perfusion System.
The system, which has received clearance from the FDA, is a portable hypothermic perfusion technology intended for the preservation and transportation of donor kidneys.
Vanderbilt Health is the first facility in Tennessee and among the initial adopters in the Southeast to implement this system for kidney transportation, said Paragonix.
The integration of the KidneyVault system marks a significant step in Vanderbilt’s strategy to incorporate advanced technology within the organ transplantation process. This approach enables Vanderbilt to treat a broader range of patients, including those considered high-risk who might not qualify for transplants at other medical institutions.
In the US, over 106,000 individuals are on the national transplant waitlist, with 86% awaiting a kidney. Thus, expanding donor availability and enhancing resource utilisation are essential. Hypothermic machine perfusion has demonstrated considerable advantages in kidney transplants.
The KidneyVault system features a compact design that facilitates transportation and merges established perfusion methods with sophisticated digital monitoring. This ensures donor kidneys are delivered in optimal condition, thereby enhancing the entire process from donation to transplantation.
The system is engineered to maintain the storage temperature of donor organs between 4°C and 8°C for up to 24 hours.
Paragonix Technologies president Lisa Anderson said: “Paragonix is committed to expanding access to donor organs and improving patient outcomes, and we’re thrilled to see Vanderbilt Health introduce KidneyVault to its community.
“Innovations like KidneyVault enable transplant centres to accept organs from greater distances and with more logistical complexity than ever before. We look forward to empowering the clinical community to maximise the use of Paragonix devices, giving every donor kidney the best chance to reach a patient in need.”
