Cryogenic Freezing: the Present and Future of This
Futuristic Technology
By Valerie
Science fiction has long been enthralled with the concept of
cryogenic freezing.
The genre has used it to facilitate space exploration,
dystopian futures, and the machinations of criminal masterminds. Unfortunately,
the reality has been somewhat underwhelming due to the limitations of the
technology.
With that said, 2017 promises to be an exciting time for
science and technology that will blur the lines between science fiction and
reality.
Current Technology
Cryopreservation is the technique of cryogenic freezing
tissue and organs at low temperatures to preserve them. While this sounds
simplistic in theory, the process becomes infinitely more complicated when it
is time for the specimens to be thawed. The freezing process has been refined
to the point that it is possible to prevent the formation of ice crystals.
However, they frequently form during the thawing process and render the samples
unusable.
The cryogenic freezing technique is most readily applied to very
small specimens such as embryos, eggs, and sperm. It has thus far been
impossible to produce reliably viable specimens that are larger such as organs
needed for transplants. This is unfortunate as many of the organs donated for
transplants are unable to be used and are ultimately disposed of.
Currently, the only option for organ transplant recipients
is to have a donated organ brought to them by a lab relocation service. This
must be done as quickly as possible due to the rapid deterioration of the organs.
Viability times for organs vary but on average kidneys must be transplanted
within 30 hours, the liver or pancreas within about 12 hours, and the lungs or
heart within about 6 hours.
The Future of Transplants
The University of Minnesota recently revealed the remarkable
findings of their research team which uncovered a method to rewarm heart valves
without damage. This has the potential to revolutionize transplant methodology
and cryogenic freezing.
It may eventually lead to millions of lives being saved
through an increased repository of organs that can be transplanted on demand.
While it is now necessary to find an exact match for a patient from a recently
deceased or living donor, in the future it may be possible for organ donations
to be stored in a bank akin to the blood bank method currently in place for
transfusions. This represents a massive advantage in an industry that has about
a 60 percent rate of wasted donations due to the time constraints of harvesting
and transplanting donated tissue.
The new study created a new warming method utilizing
nanoparticles made of silica-coated iron oxide that were dispersed throughout a
solution of cryoprotectant holding the tissue. The nanoparticles functioned as
heaters when activated with electromagnetic waves. This noninvasive procedure
allowed the tissue to quickly and uniformly be warmed at rates of up to 100
times faster than previously possible.
Once the tissue was rewarmed it was tested for viability.
The results indicated that none of the specimens were harmed. In contrast, the
control specimens which were warmed using more traditional methods were harmed.
Further, the research team was able to remove the nanoparticles from the
specimen after it reached the desired temperature.
The procedure still needs to be scaled up to accommodate
organs, but the researchers are optimistic. They currently plan to begin with
the organs of rodents and then advance to the organs of pigs before attempting
the procedure with human organs.
The technology has additional medical implications and may
eventually be utilized to deliver lethal doses of heat directly into cancer
cells without harming the surrounding cells or tissues.
Fortunately for science fiction writers, the medical world
still has a long way to go before it is possible to do many of the fantastic
things they have imagined. There is plenty of room to stretch the imagination
and explore the limits of our reality. The reality this new research brings
closer is far more exciting for its potential to revolutionize surgical
procedures and cryogenic freezing technology to save lives.
Valerie
I'm a law student who is fond of reading and writing about
interesting topics on science (especially cognitive science and psychology),
technology, and different extraterrestrial and paranormal stuff. I'm passionate
about movies, travelling and photography.
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