The Next Medical Advancement : Artificial Lung Transplant

Throughout the article, “The Role of Federation Programs in the Transfer of Biomedical Technology” the Associate Director National Library of Medicine presents the valid and relevant discussion on the role federal programs input into the transfer of biomedical technology by going in-depth on the link between the government and economic funding for the research of artificial organs as the pathway for future medical technology. Phillips mentions in the key concepts in presentation to support his argument that federal programs are critical for the advancements and sources possible for conducting more reliable research on artificial organs, by suggesting that the prime contributor to the opportunities posted in disseminating cutting edge research has been the American Society for Internal Organs (ASAIO). Moreover, he makes the note that federal programs have enabled the growth of (ASAIO). The author also issues the claim that in the 21st century there has been a large-scale emergence of the molecular century as was adhered by President Bush who signed the 21st Century Nanotech Research and Development Act in 2004 that committed $3.7 billion to nanotechnology research. Additionally, cost effectiveness in comparison to conventional therapy, demonstrates a higher viability of artificial organs in the long run is

When the organs fail the only option is a transplant. With lungs there is only a 50% rate of a five year survival rate after a lung transplantation involving the end-stage respiratory disease. With such a drastic survival rate a study was completed to determine if patients could have a better outcome. This study was done to help determine effective methods to enhance lung transplants before surgery; the Doctors placed the recipients on bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation (BIPAP.) “BIPAP is a noninvasive mode of ventilation administered through a tight-fitting mask to assist spontaneously breathing patients”

Due to the increase in medical technology over the years, medical advancements, such as organ transplants, have grown in commonality. This has increased the number of patient who needs such care. The problem with organ transplants arises from the debate on the ethical way to distribute organs and how to combat the issue of a lack of organ donors. An ethical approach to solving these issues is to develop a system of equal access that relies on maximizing benefits as well as respecting the rights of personal property through better patient-physician conversations when trying to increase organ donors.

As a respiratory therapist having the patient breathing is the number one priority. But when the patient is in bad condition the chance of the patient not being able to breath on their own is high. This is when a life support machine comes in, there are four different types of life support machines. The first one is a ventilator, this is the most important, this is what helps the patient to breath; the ventilator is forcing air into the patient's lungs. Having a ventilator on a patient is when the RT is seen the most because the RT has to intubate the patient. Intubation is the placement of a plastic tube that goes down into the trachea to maintain an open airway for oxygen to enter. The ventilator not only pushes oxygenated air into the lungs but it also monitors every breath the patient takes while

The inflatable vest releases rapid burst of air onto the chest cavity and helps loosen the mucus in the lungs. The inflatable vest is extremely effective at breaking up the mucus and allowing the user to breathe with ease. The inflatable vest has two parts a vest and an automatic air pump. When the vest inflates the rapid burst of air cause the body to vibrate and it helps loosen the mucus inside of the user. The only side effect of the vest is that after the mucus has been loosened the user’s body will involuntary cough in an attempt to clear out the newly loosened mucus. The inflatable vest can be used without assistance from any other person and will not have any effect on a treatment currently going on as

However, there is a multitude of effective ways to treat the disease that can increase the lifespan of an affected person. Constant vigilance for changes in one’s health is crucial. The main goals of treating the disease are clearing out mucus from the lungs and pancreas to prevent infection and providing necessary nutrition due to metabolic problems. A common treatment is the use of antibiotics, which aid in thinning excess mucus, lowering the risk of infection and increasing metabolism. Devices called nebulizers, which convert liquid medicine into a breathable “mist”, are used to easily move medication into the lungs through inhalation. Another common treatment is anti-inflammatories, which lessen swelling in your airways. To address digestive problems, people may take supplements of pancreatic digestive enzymes to increase the amount of absorbed nutrients within the body. In severe cases, surgical procedures may be applied to control the disease. Procedures include nasal polyp removal, where doctors remove any obstructive buildups in the nose, Endoscopy, where mucus is physically removed through endoscopes. In the most critical or life-threatening cases, a lung transplant may be performed to completely rid the patient of mucus buildup in the thoracic cavity. Unfortunately, due to the way mucus builds up in the lungs, a lung transplant requires both lungs to be

The American Respiratory Care Foundation is an organization that helps support further education, research, and charitable activities. Not only do they educate the public about the foundation and respiratory health, but they assist in training and enhancing the quality of our environment. The foundation was found in 1985 and since then has promoted several grants and awards for the people who make a difference in the respiratory care field. They have raised one million dollars since the year 2000 for education towards respiratory therapists. More than $230,000 dollars was used towards direct scholarship and achievement awards as well as $226,000 dollars for research in the future. The many companies that have helped support the American Respiratory

During the 1930s there was extensive use of this technology in caring for victims of the polio epidemic. These iron lungs were cumbersome, and provided little access to provide patient care. Recent advancements however, have made negative pressure ventilation a viable option in non-invasive mechanical ventilation. The “modern” iron lung consists of a flexible cuirass, or shell, which is designed to fit over the anterior of the chest. On inspiration, a negative pressure helps to pull the rib cage up and forward, increasing the space in the thoracic cavity, facilitating better air flow and ventilation. Expiration is achieved by passive recoil. These latest devices offer many of the same ventilatory modes as positive pressure vents do, as well as, high frequency chest wall oscillation and cough assistance. The HFCWO assists patient in mobilizing secretions much the same way the vest works in chest physiotherapy. The cuirass can also provide peep by providing a continuous negative distending pressure baseline. This negative extrathoracic pressure provides a new functional reserve capacity (FRC) from which the patient can breathe from. Biphasic cuirass ventilation can also provide a positive pressure to assist in assist in exhalation. This positive phase decreases the potential for large end expiratory lung volumes which may facilitate gas trapping or barotrauma to compromised lung

Unique cell-types are needed to perform the functions of the lung because the lung itself provides a unique function for the human body. As previously stated, when cells can no longer provide a function on their own, they develop into tissues unique to the role required of them. When they need to advance from there, they form into organs that provide the overall function that is needed for the homeostasis of the body, as a result of all these cell types working together. The lung is built of all four tissues types: epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous. All of them are comprised of their own cell types that had evolved over time. The epithelial tissues functions to protect the lung to absorb moisture, help regulate temperature and contractibility. The connective

Effect of a Protective-Ventilation Strategy on Mortality in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Amato et al.,). The topic of the article is the use of protective lung strategies and the effects they have on mortality rate for patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The problem the authors, and practitioners around the world, face is that traditional methods for mechanical ventilation damage already diseased lungs which increases the mortality rate of patients with ARDS. The purpose of this study is to define what lung protective strategies are comprised of and to determine if using these strategies will reduce pulmonary complications which will ultimately decrease mortality rates. The questions the authors focused on were:

We could use some of the patents stem cells to create the lung. The stem cells can be used as building blocks and can be turned into the cells in the lung. Some strengths are that the side effects wouldn't be like chemo and radiation treatment. Another strength is that you're getting a brand new lung and not damaging your lungs to cure the cancer. A weakness is that not a lot of people will be able to get the 3d printed organ because the printer wont be in every hospital. Another weakness is that your body may reject the new lung.

The membrane oxygenator is the component that acts a the artificial lung throughout the procedure. In the oxygenator, the blood is put through something called gas exchange. Gas exchange is the delivery of oxygen to the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide. The

The lungs are part of the respiratory system which is made up of a variety of tissues and organs that work together to bring oxygen into your body. Every cell in your body requires oxygen to survive. Without enough oxygen, the cells begin to die.

On July 25, 2014, my mother died, splayed across the confined space of her railed hospital bed, neither awake nor fully alive. The ventilator that had forced oxygen into and out of her lungs for

This article introduces that pulmonary rehabilitation is useful for patient with chronic diseases such as COPD patients (chronic obstructive disease). Patients with chronic illness have to go under a rehabilitative exercise program in order to improve their health and life quality. According to the article, there are 200 million COPD patients worldwide and COPD will become the fourth cause of death worldwide. However, patients who have undergone pulmonary exercise, adhere to the program while they are at the rehabilitation center and this decline when they are at home. Furthermore, the article demonstrates how technology can be used to monitor patient at home and help them to improve their lifestyles. It talks about using