Validation of the thermal stability of EMAIS-SR autonomous packaging for preservation of porcine lungs: cooling curve in an experimental model
Keywords:
Models, Animals, Monitoring, Physiologic, Cold Ischemia, Organ Preservation, Experimental Study, Lung Transplantation, Thermal Stability, Controlled Hypothermic Storage, EMAIS-SRAbstract
BACKGROUND: Intermediate temperatures (10°C) better preserve mitochondrial function and extend ischemic time, which are fundamental for lung preservation during transplantation. The EMAIS-SR device was developed as a reusable, cost-effective alternative to maintain the 10°C set-point, thereby overcoming logistical and economic barriers in organ transport.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to validate the thermal stability of the EMAIS-SR system in a swine model by evaluating the organ-cooling curve and the time spent within the target temperature range.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Validation study using experimental surgery on porcine organs.
METHODS: Lung blocks were harvested from two Landrace swine in independent experiments (P1, P2). The organs were placed in triple sterile packaging. Thermal stability was monitored for 48 h by using four negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors (three intrapulmonary and one extrapulmonary) with data acquisition at a 0.1-s interval. Another datalogger (Hantek® HTM208B) was used for control and validation. Thermal distribution was further characterized by infrared thermography (FLIR C3-X).
RESULTS: In Experiment 1 (P1), intrapulmonary temperatures reached the predefined target range (≤ 12°C) approximately 1.4 h after lung extraction, and the mean temperature recorded in the container was 8.01°C (standard deviation, 2.88°C). In Experiment 2 (P2), a mean temperature reduction of 6.6°C was observed, bringing the intrapulmonary temperature to the target range (≤ 12°C) within approximately 2 h post-extraction.
CONCLUSION: The EMAIS-SR device effectively maintained lung-preservation temperatures within the target 8°C–12°C range over 48 h. These results demonstrate the system’s technical feasibility and its capacity to provide consistent thermal stability across intrapulmonary compartments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Flavio Pola dos Reis , Matheus Werner Fantato, Pedro Henrique Andrade Guimarães, Selma Ferrer da Silva, Liliane Moreira Ruiz , Natalia Aparecida Nepumuceno, Edson Caoru Kitani, Bartira de Aguiar Roza, Paulo Manuel Pêgo Fernandes
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