Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
Normothermic Negative Pressure Ventilation Ex Situ Lung Perfusion: Evaluation of Lung Function and Metabolism
Published on: February 14, 2022
Seven-day in vivo testing of a novel, low-resistance, pumpless pediatric artificial lung for long-term support
Brian P Fallon1, Alex J Thompson1, Aaron R Prater1
1Department of Surgery, Extracorporeal Life Support Laboratory, Michigan Medicine, B560 MSRB II/SPC 5686, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Introduction:
For children with end-stage lung disease that cannot wean from extracorporeal life support (ECLS), a wearable artificial lung would permit extubation and provide a bridge to recovery or transplantation. We evaluate the function of the novel Pediatric MLung-a low-resistance, pumpless artificial lung developed specifically for children-in healthy animal subjects.
Methods:
Adolescent "mini sheep" weighing 12-20 kg underwent left thoracotomy, cannulation of the main pulmonary artery (PA; inflow) and left atrium (outflow), and connection to the MLung.
Results:
Thirteen sheep were studied; 6 were supported for 7 days. Mean PA pressure was 23.9 ± 6.9 mmHg. MLung blood flow was 633±258 mL/min or 30.0 ± 16.0% of CO. MLung pressure drop was 4.4 ± 3.4 mmHg. Resistance was 7.2 ± 5.2 mmHg/L/min. Device outlet oxygen saturation was 99.0 ± 3.3% with inlet saturation 53.8 ± 7.3%. Oxygen delivery was 41.1 ± 18.4 mL O2/min (maximum 84.9 mL/min) or 2.8 ± 1.5 mL O2/min/kg. Platelet count significantly decreased; no platelet transfusions were required. Plasma free hemoglobin significantly increased only on day 7, at which point 2 of the animals had plasma free hemoglobin levels above 50 mg/dL.
Conclusion:
The MLung provides adequate gas exchange at appropriate blood flows for the pediatric population in a PA-to-LA configuration. Further work remains to improve the biocompatibility of the device.
Level Of Evidence:
N/A.
