MELS - Hybrid Organ´s
Modular Extracorporeal Liver System

The Modular Extracorporeal Liver System is an innovative platform for liver support technology. It enables temporary extracorporeal support of patients in severe liver failure. A modular concept allows treatment with differentcomplexicity for relevant indications of liver injury.

Clinical Application Extracorporeal liver therapy with different modules in one therapy system for individual indications according to the actual clinical needs of the patient in the time course of liver failure.

Therapy Indications Acute decompensation of chronic liver failure; bridging to liver regeneration in acute liver failure; bridging to liver transplantation; liver support after small-for-size split liver transplantation; liver support after initial dysfunction of liver transplant;patient stabilization prior to living donor split liver transplantation in fulminant liver faiure; liver support enabling extended surgery to cure liver cancer.

Technology A modular technology platform for all relevant liver support therapies was developed. Therapy can begin early in the clinical course and the appropriate modules can be combined step by step. Modules can be upgraded as required, even during clinical application. Dialysis technologies (hepato-renal syndrome), relevant detoxification technologies (chronic liver failure) and cell-based biological support technology (acute liver failure) can be implemented. The cell module offers the patient metabolism, synthesis and regulation. The concept enables broad acceptance for extracorporeal liver support, as well as lowering the hurdles for ICU«s to start more complex and technologically advanced therapies. Costs for disposables, service and technical support are reduced and handling is simplified.

Modular Concept The modules are used independently or in combination, depending on the clinical indication:
* Cell-Module        Bioreactor with liver cells
* Detox-Module     Albumin-dialysis
                           Lipid-dialysis
                           Resin/charcoal perfusion
* Dialysis-Module  CVVHD
                           CVVHF
                           Amino acid dialysis

The MELS circuits, modules and technologies

Hybrid Organ offers exploratory programmes/agreements with university groups or companies, active in the field. Developers may use the MELS platform for exploring their own liver support technology with the standard MELS blood treatment modules.