The Artificial Liver Thaeje Shanker BME 181

THE LIVER One of the most complex organs in the body. One of the most complex organs in the body. The only organ that can regenerate itself. The only organ that can regenerate itself. Functions: Functions: Filtering blood Filtering blood Produce cholesterol Produce cholesterol Produce hormones Produce hormones Stores glycogen Stores glycogen Stores vitamins Stores vitamins Produce the necessary biochemicals for digestion Produce the necessary biochemicals for digestion

LIVER DISEASE Affects more than 30 million people in the US Affects more than 30 million people in the US Affects every 1 in 12 Americans Affects every 1 in 12 Americans Causes: Causes: Obesity Obesity Alcohol Alcohol Hepatitis B/C Hepatitis B/C Toxins Toxins Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Cancer Cancer

TREATMENT The most effective treatment of liver disease is a liver transplant. The most effective treatment of liver disease is a liver transplant. Since liver transplants have a long wait list, the role of an artificial liver would be to sustain life until the transplant is complete or until the liver can regenerate itself. Since liver transplants have a long wait list, the role of an artificial liver would be to sustain life until the transplant is complete or until the liver can regenerate itself.

VITAL THERAPIES Vital Therapies company has created the first cell-based, artificial liver designed to stabilize liver function until a transplant. Vital Therapies company has created the first cell-based, artificial liver designed to stabilize liver function until a transplant. Product is called ELAD, which stands for Extra-corporeal Liver Assist Device. Product is called ELAD, which stands for Extra-corporeal Liver Assist Device. Device does not substitute all functions of the liver Device does not substitute all functions of the liver ELAD is able to process toxins, synthesize proteins, and give a longer survival time until transplant. ELAD is able to process toxins, synthesize proteins, and give a longer survival time until transplant.

ELAD ELAD system is an external machine that can support liver function up to thirty days. ELAD system is an external machine that can support liver function up to thirty days. Consists of four cartridges, a glucose pump, and a dialysis type pump. Consists of four cartridges, a glucose pump, and a dialysis type pump. Cartridges are lined with human liver cells (Hepatocytes) that were derived from a human liver tumor and grown in the cartridges. Cartridges are lined with human liver cells (Hepatocytes) that were derived from a human liver tumor and grown in the cartridges. The liver cells can perform metabolic functions and the cartridges last up to seventeen days. The liver cells can perform metabolic functions and the cartridges last up to seventeen days.

HOW IT WORKS 1) The Dialysis pump takes in blood from the patient and separates the plasma out of the blood. 1) The Dialysis pump takes in blood from the patient and separates the plasma out of the blood. 2) Then the plasma runs through the cartridges. The cells in the cartridges filter the toxins out of the plasma and produces proteins. 2) Then the plasma runs through the cartridges. The cells in the cartridges filter the toxins out of the plasma and produces proteins. 3) Then the plasma goes to the glucose pump, where glucose is added to the plasma. 3) Then the plasma goes to the glucose pump, where glucose is added to the plasma. 4) Last, the plasma is returned to the patients bloodstream 4) Last, the plasma is returned to the patients bloodstream

ELAD SYSTEM

CURRENT EXPERIMENTS September Vital Therapies announced that it would start three pivotal phases in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The phases would involve patients with alcohol hepatitis seeking a liver transplant. September Vital Therapies announced that it would start three pivotal phases in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The phases would involve patients with alcohol hepatitis seeking a liver transplant. Phase 1 has already begun, with the other two phases to take place next year. Phase 1 has already begun, with the other two phases to take place next year. If the company is successful with these phase research trials, the device could most likely launch by the end of If the company is successful with these phase research trials, the device could most likely launch by the end of 2016.

REFERENCES million-round-first-bio-artificial-liver-moves-toward- pivotal-trials/ million-round-first-bio-artificial-liver-moves-toward- pivotal-trials/