1
Donor organ is harvested and is organ is perfused with cryoprotectant solution and iron oxide nanoparticles
Cryoprotectant
solution
Iron oxide nanoparticles
2
Organ is cooled to -160C, ready for storage in liquid nitrogen in an organ cryo-bank. The cryoprotectant means the organ is turned into a vitrified (glassy) state without damaging ice crystals forming
Ice crystals are
prevented from
forming
3
When the donor organ is required, it is placed in an induction coil, which generates a magnetic field whose direction can be rapidly alternated. This causes the magnetic nanoparticles to jiggle and generate warming evenly throughout the organ
Magnetic field
Organ reaches thawing
point within about a minute
Organ can
reach
thawing
point within
about a
minute
Cryoprotectant
solution
Ice crystals are prevented
from forming
Magnetic field
Iron oxide
nanoparticles
1
Donor organ is harvested and is organ is perfused with cryoprotectant solution and iron oxide nanoparticles
2
Organ is cooled to -160C, ready for storage in liquid nitrogen in an organ cryo-bank. The cryoprotectant means the organ is turned into a vitrified (glassy) state without damaging ice crystals forming
3
When the donor organ is required, it is placed in an induction coil, which generates a magnetic field whose direction can be rapidly alternated. This causes the magnetic nanoparticles to jiggle and generate warming evenly throughout the organ