The man-made “bridges” to continued life

What and why? man-made devices that act as an organ within the body extends life of patients with organ failures replace an organ depending on situation

The Artificial Pancreas Used by people with type 1 diabetes Two main components: Insulin Pump Continuous Glucose Meter Glucose meter reads bloods sugar levels, sends info to Insulin pump, pump injects insulin accordingly

Artificial Kidney Kidney cleanses blood of waste products Kidney/renal failure causes kidneys to not function properly, leads to abnormal concentration of fluids within body Kidney transplant needed in order to survive. Artificial kidney/dialyzer used to keep patient alive while he/she waits Dialyzer contains several small tubes and microscopic holes Contains special fluid known as dialysate

Dialysis Blood enters dialyzer with dialysate Waste products move from blood to dialysate Certain chemicals from dialysate enrich blood Blood leaves dialyzer goes through air bubble detector and back into bloodstream

Artificial Heart Used for patients with heart failure awaiting heart transplant Two types used: V.A.D and T.A.H

V.A.D Artificial Heart Ventricle assist device Used to help partially working ventricles of heart Example: Novacor LVAS How it works: Pump connected to left ventricle. When heart pumps, bloods enters from left ventricle through inflow conduit and into artificial heart pump. Low resistance from blood moving out of the left ventricle reduces load greatly allowing heart to have normal stroke volume. Blood in pump then leaves through an outflow conduit and into arterial system of body.

T.A.H Total Artificial Heart Replaces both ventricles of an almost completely failed heart Attached to upper chamber of heart (left and right atrium) Two types: Cardiowest and Abiocor

Artificial Lung Still in development and testing Example: Biolung How it works: can sized lung attached to right ventricle of heart. When blood is pumped through CO2 leaves blood and O2 enters as blood passes through array of microfibers. Blood travels back to left atrium of heart. Improvements needed: Determine optimal fiber shape, distance of fibers and number of fibers.

Advantages, Disadvantages, Risks Advantage: Only one major advantage, extends life increasing chance of receiving organ transplant Disadvantage: Money, artificial heart costs between $ to $ Risks: Surgery risks, immunosuppressives, machine failure

Works Cited What Is a Total Artificial Heart?. Total Artificial Heart. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from Update on Work on Artificial Lung Prototypes - Regenerative Medicine at the McGowan Institute. Regenerative Medicine at the McGowan Institute. Retrieved November 19, 2009, from Type 1 Diabetes. University of Virginia Health System. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from People Like Us Live Web Series. (National Kidney Foundation. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from MC3 Artificial Lung (Biolung). MC3 Artificial Lung (Biolung). Retrieved December 1, 2009, from : End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). University of Virginia Health System. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from Artificial Pancreas - iVillage Your Total Health. iVillage Your Total Health Home - iVillage Your Total Health. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from Artificial Heart Program Technology - Pulsatile Systems - Regenerative Medicine at the McGowan Institute. (n.d.). Regenerative Medicine at the McGowan Institute. Retrieved December 1, 2009, from