Simulation of Hypothermic Perfusion of Rabbit Livers For Cryopreservation Applications

BACKGROUND: In cryopreservation of biological material, it is very important to precisely control the perfusion of cryoprotectants (CPA) inside the sample. CPA concentration inside tissues and organs during the process has been measured in a few studies. However, the simulation of the CPA perfusion inside the organ is still necessary to understand and optimize this complex process. OBJECTIVE: This study simulates the diffusion of Me₂SO and PBS in a rabbit liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The software COMSOL for computational fluid-dynamics was used. A hypothermic perfusion was simulated where temperature and pressure at the entrance of the organ were constant. RESULTS: The simulation shows that Me₂SO concentration increases within the porous medium until saturation. The variation of perfusion speed and pressure inside the organ is almost null with time. CONCLUSION: Finite elements modelling shows that under hypothermic conditions it is possible to achieve a full and even loading of this organ with Me₂SO, keeping constant the perfusion parameters.