Machine to revive donor organs used in double-lung transplant in UK first | NHS
Life-Saving Lungs: UK Surgeons Perform First Transplant Using Revolutionary Machine
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Cambridge, England – A groundbreaking surgical procedure at Royal Papworth Hospital has marked a new era in lung transplantation in teh UK. Surgeons successfully performed a double-lung transplant using a cutting-edge machine that revives donor organs, keeping them alive and functioning outside the body.
This innovative device, known as the XPS system, utilizes a bubble-like chamber equipped with pumps and filters.It repairs, reconditions, and revitalizes lungs before transplantation, offering a important advantage over traditional preservation methods.”It’s amazing,” said Daniel Evans-Smith, 49, the first patient in the UK to receive a transplant using the XPS system. “The difference is phenomenal.” Evans-Smith, an events manager, suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before the life-changing surgery.
[Image: Daniel Evans-Smith described the difference his transplant had made as phenomenal. Photograph: Royal Papworth hospital]
For decades, the standard practice for preserving lungs involved cooling them to just above freezing. While this method slows down metabolic processes and extends the window for transplantation, it also limits the ability to assess the quality of the organs.Surgeons often err on the side of caution, leading to a significant number of donated lungs going unused.
The XPS system, developed by Xvivo, addresses this challenge by allowing doctors to evaluate and, if necessary, rehabilitate lungs before transplantation.This process, known as ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), buys valuable time and could dramatically increase the number of viable lungs available for transplant.
“The difference is phenomenal,” said Evans-smith, who was only on the waiting list for nine days.
experts believe the arrival of the XPS system in the UK could save hundreds of lives each year by expanding the pool of available donor lungs. This breakthrough technology offers renewed hope for patients suffering from end-stage lung disease, providing them with a chance at a healthier, more fulfilling life.
UK Hospital Pioneers Life-Saving Lung transplant Technique
Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge has become the first in the UK to successfully use a groundbreaking machine to revive and transplant donor lungs, offering new hope to patients awaiting life-saving surgery.
The innovative technology, known as the XPS system, allows surgeons to assess and even improve the condition of donated lungs outside the body. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly increase the number of viable organs available for transplantation, addressing the critical shortage faced by patients with end-stage lung disease.
Daniel Evans-Smith, a 42-year-old from Northampton, became the first recipient of a lung transplant using the XPS system in the UK. Evans-Smith had been on the waiting list for a transplant for over a year,his health deteriorating rapidly.
“Without this innovation, I may still have been waiting for a transplant today,” said Evans-Smith, who is now recovering at home after a prosperous surgery.
The XPS system mimics the surroundings of the human body, allowing the lungs to inflate and deflate naturally. A special fluid maintains the lungs and helps restore their function, enabling them to be preserved for up to six hours.”We are very proud to have become the first UK hospital to use this machine for a clinical ex-vivo lung perfusion case,” said Marius Berman, the surgical lead for transplantation at Royal Papworth. “It has helped to provide Daniel with suitable donor lungs.”
The machine not only assesses the viability of donated lungs but also acts as a therapeutic tool, improving their performance before transplantation.
“Once you have the lungs out of the body, you are then able to improve their performance,” explained Jasvir Parmar, chair of a national NHS lungs advisory group. “it provides not just an assessment tool but also a therapeutic tool.”
With over 200 people currently waiting for a lung transplant in the UK, the XPS system offers a beacon of hope.”This could help reduce the organ donor waiting list,” said Prof Derek Manas, NHS Blood and Transplant’s national medical director for organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Second Chance: Man Receives Life-Saving Lung transplant Just in Time for Christmas
A Florida man is celebrating the holidays with a newfound lease on life after receiving a double lung transplant, a procedure made possible by advancements in organ transplantation technology.
For years, 68-year-old Evans-Smith struggled with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a debilitating condition that made even simple tasks like walking up a hill a Herculean effort.
“Prior to this, I struggled to walk up a hill or to walk any form of distance without having to consider where I be able to stop and rest to catch my breath,” Evans-Smith said.
But thanks to a successful double lung transplant at a leading Florida hospital, Evans-Smith is now experiencing a dramatic improvement in his health.
“Now I might be doing 7,000 steps a day, including going up and down hills, and I can do 3,000 steps without even stopping for a breath. It’s just amazing,isn’t it?” he said.
The transplant, a complex and delicate procedure, highlights the critical need for organ donors.”We are grateful for the work to improve transplantation technology and techniques but most of all grateful to the patients and families who agree to save and improve lives through organ donation,” said a hospital spokesperson.
Evans-Smith’s story underscores the life-changing impact of organ donation and the importance of continued advancements in transplantation technology.
“It is vital that we support innovation to improve the chances that these desperately ill patients will get the call they are waiting for,” the spokesperson added.
This Christmas, Evans-Smith is looking forward to spending quality time with his family, free from the limitations of his former illness. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the gift of life and the hope that organ donation brings to countless individuals and families across the contry.
UK Surgeons Perform First Transplant Using Revolutionary Machine

Cambridge, England – A groundbreaking surgical procedure at Royal Papworth Hospital has ushered in a new era in lung transplantation in the UK. Surgeons successfully performed a double-lung transplant using a cutting-edge machine that revives donor organs, keeping them alive and functioning outside the body.
A Second Chance at Life
This innovative device, known as the XPS system, utilizes a bubble-like chamber equipped with pumps and filters. It repairs, reconditions, and revitalizes lungs before transplantation, offering a meaningful advantage over conventional preservation methods.
“it’s amazing,” said Daniel Evans-Smith, 49, the first patient in the UK to receive a transplant using the XPS system. “The difference is phenomenal.” Evans-Smith, an events manager from Northampton, suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before the life-changing surgery.
Reviving the Potential of Donated Organs
For decades, the standard practice for preserving lungs involved cooling them to just above freezing. While this method slows down metabolic processes and extends the window for transplantation, it also limits the ability to assess the quality of the organs. Surgeons often err on the side of caution, leading to a significant number of donated lungs going unused.
The XPS system, developed by Xvivo, addresses this challenge by allowing doctors to evaluate and, if necessary, rehabilitate lungs before transplantation. This process, known as ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), buys valuable time and could dramatically increase the number of viable lungs available for transplant.
“The difference is phenomenal,” said Evans-Smith, who was only on the waiting list for nine days.
A Ray of Hope for Patients Awaiting Transplants
Experts believe the arrival of the XPS system in the UK could save hundreds of lives each year by expanding the pool of available donor lungs. This breakthrough technology offers renewed hope for patients suffering from end-stage lung disease, providing them with a chance at a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Royal papworth Hospital’s pioneering use of the XPS system represents a major advancement in the field of transplantation. It is indeed a testament to the hospital’s commitment to innovation and its unwavering dedication to improving the lives of patients
