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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Evaluating Regional Pulmonary Deposition using Patient-Specific 3D Printed Lung Models
Published on: November 11, 2020
A bench study comparing the performance of a novel test lung with a conventional model
Kazuto Doi1, Makoto Hayashi2, Mayumi Doi3
1Medical Engineering Course, Department of Engineering, Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, 536 Aba-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 851-0193, Japan.
Background:
The contamination of ventilator circuits poses a significant infection risk in mechanically ventilated patients. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which develops after more than 48 h of mechanical ventilation, remains a major clinical concern. This study aimed to evaluate a newly developed test lung that incorporates a hydrophobic membrane designed to prevent contamination and transmission of VAP-related bacteria.
Methods:
Five bacterial species identified by the Japanese Respiratory Society as major VAP pathogens - Staphylococcus aureus JCM20624, Pseudomonas aeruginosa JCM5962, Klebsiella pneumoniae JCM1662, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia JCM1975, and Enterobacter cloacae JCM1232 - were introduced into a catheter mount connected to either a conventional or the novel test lung. The ventilator circuits were run for 30 min, and the test lungs were examined for the presence of bacteria using colony counting and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).
Results:
All five bacterial species were recovered and correctly identified in the conventional test lungs. In contrast, no bacterial colonies were detected in any of the novel test lungs.
Conclusion:
This novel lung test effectively prevented the entry of all five VAP-causing bacteria. This structural improvement may reduce ventilator circuit contamination, simplify sterilization procedures, and alleviate the workload on healthcare workers, especially in home care settings.
Insights
A novel test lung effectively prevents contamination by VAP-causing bacteria. This innovation may reduce ventilator circuit infections and healthcare worker burden, particularly in home care settings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Engineering
- Infectious Disease Control
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Ventilator circuits are a significant source of infection for mechanically ventilated patients.
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major clinical concern, developing after 48 hours of mechanical ventilation.
- Preventing bacterial contamination in ventilator circuits is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel test lung designed with a hydrophobic membrane.
- To assess the test lung's efficacy in preventing the contamination and transmission of VAP-related bacteria.
- To determine if the new design can mitigate risks associated with ventilator use.
Main Methods:
- Five major VAP pathogens were introduced into conventional and novel test lungs.
- Ventilator circuits were operated for 30 minutes.
- Bacterial presence was assessed using colony counting and MALDI-TOF MS.
Main Results:
- All five tested bacterial species were successfully recovered from conventional test lungs.
- No bacterial colonies were detected in the novel test lungs.
- The hydrophobic membrane effectively blocked bacterial entry.
Conclusions:
- The novel test lung successfully prevented the entry of all five VAP-causing bacteria.
- This structural improvement has the potential to reduce ventilator circuit contamination.
- The technology may simplify sterilization and reduce healthcare worker workload, especially in home care.
