Paragonix Technologies today announced the world’s first successful human use of its PancreasPak Organ Preservation System.
The technology was used at Tampa General Hospital Transplant Institute in a recent pancreas transplant, advancing efforts to enhance organ preservation for better transplant outcomes.
Dr. Matthew Hunter Witt, a transplant surgeon at Tampa General Hospital, led the case. PancreasPak preserved and monitored a donor pancreas for nearly 10 hours from procurement to transplantation.
Paragonix Technologies’ PancreasPak technology has a hypothermic preservation solution designed to maintain a stable temperature and monitor the organ’s location in real-time, addressing the pancreata’s vulnerability during transport.
“Our transplant team at Tampa General continues to achieve remarkable firsts like this one, which is another example of how we relentlessly innovate in order to provide patients with world-class healthcare,” Witt said in a news release. “For our patients who need a pancreas transplant, this transformative technology is a milestone given the unique challenges associated with transporting this particular organ. It’s the latest in a long line of technical advancements adopted by our dedicated team, designed to enhance the lives of patients and their families in the Tampa Bay region, Florida and across the United States.”
The PancreasPak system builds on Paragonix’s previous cardiothoracic and abdominal preservation work. Traditional preservation methods use plastic coolers and ice, which risk exposing organs to freezing temperatures that may damage tissues. In contrast, the PancreasPak system protects the pancreas from these conditions, providing visibility into the organ’s status during transport.
“At Paragonix, we believe that all donor organs should receive the best possible preservation regardless of transplant volumes,” Paragonix President Lisa Anderson said. “Being able to provide pancreatic transplant healthcare professionals with the latest in organ preservation technologies, and to provide their patients with the most advanced care, is another step in our journey to deliver all transplant patients every possible advantage.”