The following SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
This innovation initially came to life when…
I conducted research into human organ donation, procurement and transplantation in Australia. The research identified the archaic methods used in organ preservation in transit and also identified the heart as the most time-critical organ in the transplantation process.
WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
Extend the critical ischemic time of the heart outside the body, allowing the heart to travel further, for longer, arrive in a good transplantable condition and allow for monitoring of the organ in transit, ultimately saving more lives.
It does this by…
Sustaining the life of the heart in its normal beating state in transit as opposed to attempting to preserve the heart in transit. By perfusing the heart in transit with oxygenated blood, Pulse is able to sustain the heart beating for an extended period far outlasting the four hours achieved by submerging it in ice.
PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
It means that a donated heart can travel further and can ultimately reach more patients who need a heart transplant. It will reduce waiting lists and make more hearts viable for transplantation.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
For transplantation medical professionals, Pulse represents an important change in the method of organ procurement that better facilitates the entire transplantation process allowing better assessment of the donated organ and increases the chance of a successful transplantation.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
Current organ transportation methods in Australia use a method of organ preservation by submerging the heart into ice to slow the decomposition of the organ. Pulse proposes that by sustaining the organ in its normal beating state in a sterile environment with oxygenated blood, then the organ can be kept outside the body without any decomposition.
Its predecessors/competitors include…
TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
Pulse is provided for the recipient of the donated heart and for the donor who by donating an organ should be given the utmost respect by providing their organ with the best possible chance of saving another’s life.
Pulse is to be marketed for consideration to governments and organ transplantation hospitals internationally.
With the increase of organ transplants around the world, demand for improved methods of organ handling will be essential to cater for the increased number of patients on waiting lists.
DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
It is available for sale through…
A yet-to-be-determined service provider.
Our marketing strategy is to…
Demonstrate the unit by inviting decision makers to experience the units potential. Research papers on the development and function of the unit will be made available. Marketing will be take control of by the Innovation arm of the University of NSW.
SUPPORTING IMAGES AND/OR VIDEO
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS INNOVATION
While the judging is now officially over, you can still show your support for this innovation in one of the following three ways:
- Hit the VOTE UP button: Top left of each page (Not available for IE users)
- Trigger a Reaction: Re-Tweet, Like on Facebook, etc.
- Leave a Comment: Share the love!
To check out the Anthill SMART 100 Readers’ Choice winner for 2010, click here.
