The partnership between UCI Health, Sierra Donor Services, and Paragonix Technologies introduces a cutting-edge advancement in organ transplant logistics through the KidneyVault™ Portable Renal Perfusion System. This innovative device revolutionizes traditional cold storage methods by providing active, real-time organ perfusion and monitoring during transportation. It is specifically designed to preserve and transport high-risk donor kidneys—those often considered unsuitable due to factors like donor age, cause of death, or distance from transplant centers—ensuring their viability for transplantation even after prolonged travel times.

By incorporating the KidneyVault system into their transplant protocol, UCI Health and Sierra Donor Services have successfully expanded the donor pool, enabling the safe use of kidneys that might otherwise have been discarded. This addresses a critical gap in the transplant ecosystem, especially in California, where 85% of patients on the transplant list require a kidney. The technology not only enhances the quality and safety of donor organs but also helps reduce the discard rate of recovered kidneys. It empowers physicians to consider more complex organs while maintaining high standards of care and improving outcomes for recipients.

This collaboration represents a major stride in tackling the ongoing organ shortage crisis and reinforces the role of technology in modern healthcare. By enabling the use of higher-risk organs, the initiative offers renewed hope to thousands of patients awaiting transplants. The success of this program demonstrates that innovative preservation solutions like KidneyVault can redefine what's possible in organ transplantation, ultimately saving more lives and honoring the life-saving intent of every donor.