Respiratory failure remains one of the most critical challenges in modern medicine. For patients with severe lung diseases or acute respiratory distress, traditional ventilation may not be enough. This is where the artificial lung emerges as a life-saving innovation, offering advanced respiratory support when natural lung function is compromised.
What Is an Artificial Lung? An artificial lung is a medical device designed to replicate the gas-exchange function of human lungs. It oxygenates blood and removes carbon dioxide externally, allowing the patient’s lungs to rest or recover. Unlike conventional ventilators that rely on lung mechanics, artificial lungs work by directly interacting with the bloodstream.
Artificial lung systems are most commonly used in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapies.
How Does an Artificial Lung Work? The artificial lung functions through a process called extracorporeal gas exchange, which involves:
Blood being diverted from the patient’s circulation
Passing through a membrane oxygenator
Oxygen being added while carbon dioxide is removed
The oxygenated blood being returned to the body
This process bypasses damaged or failing lungs, ensuring adequate oxygen delivery to vital organs.