A Clinical-Scale Microfluidic Respiratory Assist Device with 3D Branching Vascular Networks.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Devices
• Respiratory Support

Background:

• Rising rates of chronic lung diseases and pandemics necessitate advanced respiratory failure treatments.
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) shows promise but is limited by complex blood circuits causing clotting and bleeding.
• Current microfluidic oxygenators lack the scale and performance for clinical comparison with hollow fiber membrane oxygenators (HFMOs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate the first clinical-scale microfluidic respiratory assist device.
• To achieve efficient oxygen transfer at high blood flow rates.
• To overcome limitations of conventional oxygenators by mimicking physiological microcirculation.

Main Methods:

• Development of a fully 3D branching microfluidic network mimicking physiological microcirculation.
• Demonstration of efficient oxygen transfer at 750 mL/min blood flow rate.
• Evaluation through 24-hour pilot large animal experiments.

Main Results:

• Achieved the highest reported blood flow rate (750 mL/min) for a microfluidic oxygenator.
• Demonstrated low, stable blood pressure drop and low hemolysis.
• Confirmed consistent oxygen transfer over 24 hours in animal models.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic respiratory assist device represents a significant advancement towards clinical application.
• This technology offers a potentially safer and more effective alternative for treating respiratory failure.
• Successful large animal trials are a key step for translating this device to clinical use for various lung diseases.