Biomechanical tissue properties as an indicator of organ vitality prior to transplantations.

An organ's vitality prior to transplantation can be evaluated by analysis of its mechanical properties. A new apparatus was designed to measure these properties. The organ to be tested is placed in a reservoir with saline and submitted to the load of a cylindrical element. The load is applied in a stepwise mode and results in a small local deformation of the organ. This deformation is identical to the displacement of the cylinder and is measured as a function of time. This is compared to a theoretical analysis of the deformation of a viscoelastic halfspace. This theory was used to interpret the results of experiments which were carried out on eight rabbit kidneys. The instantaneous modulus of elasticity reaches a maximum within 15 minutes, then decreases and reaches a steady state after 30 minutes of warm ischemia. The method is easy to apply and appears to be useful for the quantification of an organ's vitality and in particular recognizes the level of the organ's edema before transplantation.