TechKnow Season 1 Episode 18 Heart in a Box

TechKnow Season 1 Episode 18: Heart in a Box

In this episode of TechKnow, host Phil Torres takes viewers on a journey into the world of organ transplantation. He explores a new technology called the "Heart in a Box" which could revolutionize the way we transport organs for transplantation.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the current process of transporting organs, which involves putting the organ in a cooler filled with ice, and transporting it to the recipient. This process requires a narrow window of time as the organ is only viable for a few hours outside of the body. This time constraint means that logistics need to be perfectly executed because if anything goes wrong during transport, the organ will no longer be viable and the transplant will fail.

The "Heart in a Box" technology is a new approach to organ transportation that keeps the organ warm and beating outside of the body until it can be transplanted. Phil meets with Dr. Abbas Ardehali, the lead heart surgeon at UCLA, who explains the technology and how it works.

The device is essentially a small box with tubing that connects to the organ via two arteries and a vein. The organ is connected to the "Heart in a Box" and supplied with oxygenated blood and nutrients, which keeps it warm and beating for up to 12 hours. This technology allows for more flexibility and can buy time for logistics to be managed and organs to be transported over longer distances.

Phil also speaks with Dr. David Nelson, the CEO of TransMedics, the company that developed the technology. They discuss how this technology could make organ transportation safer and more efficient. The "Heart in a Box" could also expand the donor pool as it could enable organs that would have once been deemed too far away to be transported and used in transplantation.

The episode also showcases the technology in action through the story of Amy Herbst, a woman who lost her son in a tragic accident and decided to donate his heart. Dr. Ardehali performs the heart transplant surgery on Omar Gomez, a young man who had been waiting for a heart for over a year. He had been diagnosed with a heart condition that made it difficult for his heart to pump enough blood to his body. Viewers will see the final result of the surgery and how it has impacted Omar's life.

Additionally, Phil interviews Emily Arents, the Director of Clinical Advocacy at OneLegacy, and learns about the process of becoming an organ donor. She explains how OneLegacy is a non-profit organization that works with hospitals and donor families to help facilitate the organ donation process.

The episode closes with a powerful message about organ donation and the impact it can have on someone's life. It encourages viewers to consider becoming organ donors and to talk to their loved ones about their wishes.

Overall, the episode "Heart in a Box" is a thought-provoking exploration of a new technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach organ transportation. It showcases the technology's benefits through a real-life example and encourages viewers to consider becoming organ donors to help save lives.