A new device allows pig kidneys to be stored for up to 72 hours at -4 °C without ice formation, potentially extending the window for human organ transplants.

Researchers led by Matthew Powell Palm at Texas A&M University have successfully transplanted pig kidneys stored for up to 72 hours in a new supercooling device. The technology maintains organs at -4 °C without the use of antifreeze chemicals, preventing ice formation that typically damages tissue. The study showed the supercooled kidneys recovered faster than those stored on ice for 24 hours and remained healthy in donor pigs for up to 200 days.

Overcoming the storage limit

Standard organ preservation currently relies on keeping kidneys on ice at 4 °C, which limits viable storage time to 18 to 24 hours. Because of this short window, approximately one in three donated kidneys are discarded annually due to degradation before they can reach a recipient. The new device uses a hermetically sealed chamber to maintain a constant pressure, allowing the organs to be cooled below freezing without the need for cryoprotectants.

Performance and future outlook

In trials, kidneys stored for 72 hours in the device began producing urine immediately after transplantation and showed normal function within 10 days. The researchers observed that the kidneys grew alongside the pigs over a 30-day period, and one kidney remained healthy after 200 days. The team is now seeking FDA approval to begin human trials and plans to launch a company to further develop the technology, which they believe could eventually extend storage times to 120 hours.