Artificial Placentas Outside the Body for Extreme Preterm Babies
May 24, 2016 | Terry Sharrer
Artificial Placenta
In 1975 University of Michigan surgeon developed the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technology (ECMO) that has been used widely to keep premature babies breathing. Now his colleagues in Ann Arbor have modified ECMO to mimic the intrauterine environment as an artificial placenta. Their aim has been to maintain circulation and oxygenation in neonates who are born before 24 weeks gestation, but restrict blood flow to the lungs until these babies have developed sufficiently to handle full term breathing. MORE WITH VIDEO
Image Credit: University of Michigan and GizMag.com
Key words: blood oxygen, heart-lung machine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technology, University of Michigan, biomedicine, bioscience, neonate, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, GizMag.com
