Development of dialysis membranes for a miniaturized device for lung and kidney support in preterm babies
L. Romano1, R. Luiten1, R. Selvaganapathy2, N. Rochow3, C. Fusch3, J. Arens4, O.E.M. ter Beek1,
D. Stamatialis1, on behalf of the ArtPlac Research Consortium5
1. Advanced Organ bioengineering and Therapeutics (AOT), Faculty of Science and Technology, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede
2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON - Canada
3. Department of Neonatology, Klinikum Nurnberg, Nuremberg, German
4. Faculty of Engineering Technologies, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Engineering Organ Support Technologies, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
5. HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDEROPEN-01, Grant agreement ID: 101099596
Abstract
In the field of newborn care, reducing the mortality rate, remains a critical issue, especially for premature babies (born before 37 weeks of gestation) facing lung and kidney complications. In fact, current methods, such as mechanical ventilation and artificial organ support systems, while helpful, often are not suitable for this vulnerable population, as they require high blood priming volume and separate vascular access. To address these challenges, we investigate the development of an artificial placenta (ArtPlac) device, connected to the umbilical cord. ArtPlac aims to combine blood oxygenations and blood purification hollow fibers (HF), assisting lung and kidney.
In this study, we focus on the development of HF for outside-in dialysis for preterm infants. Current dialyzers have inside-out configuration (blood inside hollow-fibers, dialysate outside) while oxygenators have an opposite design (gas inside hollow-fibers, blood outside). To integrate dialyzer features into an oxygenator, HF for outside-in configuration has been developed. Further studies are underway to optimize their mechanical and filtration properties.