The LUNGguard system provides a sterile, temperature-controlled environment for organs traveling between operating rooms, maintaining a cool, even temperature distribution within the unit and continuous monitoring and tracking throughout transport.

Until recently, organs have been transported using a commercial-grade cooler and ice, potentially exposing tissue to freezing temperatures which can cause cellular damage. The organs’ condition during transport would be unknown until the cooler was re-opened in the operating room. The LUNGguard system continuously monitors donor lungs throughout the entire journey. The cooling system maintains and evenly distributes an optimal temperature range between 4 and 8 degrees celsius (39.2 to 46 F) within the unit. A temperature probe, Bluetooth connectivity and a connected app and web portal enable continuous monitoring and tracking throughout transport. The whole transplantation team can see the organs’ environment and location in real-time, enabling the hospital to anticipate to the minute when the transport team will arrive back at the hospital.

Stephen J. Forest, MD, Surgical Director, Advanced Pulmonary Failure & Lung Transplantation, Montefiore Einstein, Assistant Professor Albert Einstein College of Medicine was the first to use this device at Montefiore Einstein's Comprehensive Lung Program.

“Our initial experience with the system is that it seems to preserve the organs for safer, longer ischemia times,” said Dr. Forest.

“With these early experiences, we’re finding significant potential to transport organs over greater distances and durations to expand the donor organ pool,” Dr. Forest adds.

Advanced Organ Preservation can positively affect outcomes, from decreased graft dysfunction to reduced time in the ICU or postoperative intubation. Additionally, longer safe transport windows may increase the geographic range for donor matching, effectively increasing the donor pool and decreasing times on the waitlist.

Donor organ preservation is a critical element of organ procurement. By adopting this advanced system, Montefiore Einstein is maintaining its position at the cutting edge of transplant technology.

Learn more about the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Lung Program.