Researchers Created a Perfusion Machine That Keep Livers Alive Longer
Daniel Johnson — January 21, 2020 — Tech
Researchers from University Hospital Zurich, ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich released a paper that outlines the creation of a perfusion machine. The perfusion machine can be used to keep a human liver alive for a week, where it can later be used as a transplant organ. Additionally, the machine could also have the capability to repair a damaged liver, which means a wider selection of livers could be used for organ donation.
The Machine is able to mimic human lungs by using an oxygenator, and it is also able to move the liver as a human diaphragm would. Research was conducted using pig livers, and then latter 10 human livers. Of the 10 human livers used, six were able to be brought back to full functionality. Previously organs could only be kept alive for a period of 24 hours.
Overall the perfusion machine could have significant impacts on organ donation, and health care as a whole, in the near future.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
The Machine is able to mimic human lungs by using an oxygenator, and it is also able to move the liver as a human diaphragm would. Research was conducted using pig livers, and then latter 10 human livers. Of the 10 human livers used, six were able to be brought back to full functionality. Previously organs could only be kept alive for a period of 24 hours.
Overall the perfusion machine could have significant impacts on organ donation, and health care as a whole, in the near future.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Trend Themes
1. Extended Organ Preservation - A trend towards developing perfusion machines that can keep organs alive for longer periods of time, opening up opportunities for more successful transplant procedures.
2. Organ Repair Technology - The development of perfusion machines that have the capability to repair damaged organs, potentially revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation.
3. Expanded Organ Donation Pool - The use of perfusion machines to improve the viability of livers, allowing for a wider selection of organs to be used for transplantation and reducing the shortage of available organs.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Technology - The medical technology industry stands to benefit from the development of perfusion machines that can prolong the viability of organs, leading to more successful transplant outcomes.
2. Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare - The pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry may see disruptive opportunities with the advancement of organ repair technology, potentially reducing the need for traditional transplant procedures.
3. Biomedical Engineering - The field of biomedical engineering could capitalize on the expanded organ donation pool created by perfusion machines, as they may lead to increased research and development in organ transplantation strategies.
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