Elizabeth Hansen Bulger

Title: Elizabeth Hansen Bulger: Innovator in Ex-Vivo Organ Care

Introduction

Elizabeth Hansen Bulger is a prominent inventor based in Portsmouth, NH (US). She has made significant contributions to the field of organ care, particularly through her innovative approaches to maintaining donor organs in optimal conditions. With a total of 4 patents to her name, her work is paving the way for advancements in organ transplantation.

Latest Patents

One of her latest patents focuses on "Systems and methods for ex-vivo organ care and for using lactate as an indication of donor organ status." This patent provides various systems, devices, and methods related to ex-vivo organ care. It emphasizes maintaining an organ ex-vivo at near-physiologic conditions. The application describes a method for using lactate measurement in the arterial and venous blood lines of the Organ Care System Heart perfusion device. This method evaluates the overall perfusion status, metabolic status, and vascular patency of an isolated donor heart. The unique property of myocardial cells to produce lactate when starved for oxygen and utilize it for energy when well-perfused is a key aspect of this innovation.

Career Highlights

Elizabeth is currently associated with TransMedics, Inc., where she continues to develop groundbreaking technologies in organ preservation and transplantation. Her work is instrumental in enhancing the viability of donor organs, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Collaborations

She collaborates with notable colleagues, including Waleed H Hassanein and Tamer I Khayal, who share her vision for advancing organ care technologies.

Conclusion

Elizabeth Hansen Bulger's contributions to ex-vivo organ care are significant and impactful. Her innovative patents and dedication to improving organ transplantation processes highlight her role as a leading inventor in this critical field.