ALEM (Astana Life Ex-situ Machine) is an innovative medical device developed in Kazakhstan for the preservation, treatment, and transportation of donor organs. The system maintains organ functionality outside the human body for over 24 hours, in conditions that closely replicate natural physiology.

Why does it matter?
In transplantation, time is critical. After an organ is retrieved, doctors typically have only 4 to 6 hours before it begins to lose function and becomes unsuitable for transplantation.

In countries like Kazakhstan, where regions are separated by hundreds or thousands of kilometers, and logistics depend on weather and infrastructure, meeting these time constraints can be challenging.
Even when a donor is available and a recipient is ready, a transplant may not happen – simply because time runs out.

ALEM addresses this challenge.
It extends the available timeframe and makes possible what was previously out of reach.

How ALEM works

Once retrieved, the donor organ is connected to ALEM – a closed-loop system that maintains continuous circulation of oxygenated blood.
The device keeps the organ in a normothermic state (36–37 °C), preserving natural metabolism.
The organ continues to function – as if it were still inside the body.

Built-in sensors and monitoring systems track all critical physiological parameters in real time: temperature, pressure, gas levels, and more.
Medical teams can not only monitor the organ, but also administer medications, remove excess fluid, and perform procedures such as ultrasound, coronary angiography, bronchoscopy, or CT scanning – effectively beginning treatment before transplantation.

What makes ALEM unique?

ALEM provides a controlled, therapeutic environment that enables donor organs to remain viable and active for more than 24 hours outside the body.

It:
• maintains normothermia (36–37 °C)
• ensures oxygen-rich blood circulation
• allows therapeutic intervention and medication delivery
• offers real-time monitoring of all key parameters
• supports comprehensive organ assessment – Including imaging and diagnostic procedures

This enables doctors to both preserve and optimize organs for transplantation, improving outcomes for recipients.

Designed for real-world use

ALEM is built for practical application in diverse clinical settings:

– Compact and mobile: 45 × 55 × 120 cm, up to 50 kg
– Operates on standard 110–220 V power supply
– Equipped with integrated life-support modules and an onboard oxygen supply
– Suitable for transport by car, train, or aircraft
– Constructed from biocompatible materials, with locally manufactured disposable modules

Project status

Since 2022, 42 preclinical procedures have been successfully completed using heart, liver, and lung models.
These studies have demonstrated ALEM’s ability to preserve active organ function for over 24 hours, while enabling early treatment.

Preparation is now underway for the first clinical application of ALEM in a real transplant setting.
Construction of the first dedicated production facility has also begun.

Who developed ALEM?

ALEM is a joint initiative of the UMC Heart Center and the Heart Center Foundation -  Kazakhstan’s first non-profit dedicated to advancing cardiac surgery and transplant science.

The team includes:
cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, biomedical engineers, morphologists, lab specialists, researchers, and administrative experts.
Scientific leadership is provided by Academician Dr. Yuriy Pya, one of Kazakhstan’s renowned cardiac surgeons.

A contribution to global medicine

ALEM represents a leap forward in transplant technology and biomedical innovation.
It brings together medical professionals, engineers, scientists, and society around a common goal: Life should not depend on distance or time.