Imagine a high-tech filter made from plant-based materials that can act like a spare lung. Instead of using plastics that often cause blood clots, this uses a special wood-derived material that blood flows through more smoothly. It's designed to keep patients alive and stable while they wait for a transplant, potentially acting as a bridge for over a month.
Current artificial lungs cause blood clotting and damage, limiting their use to short periods. This creates a critical gap for patients facing 18-month transplant wait times who need stable, medium-term support.
A proof-of-concept artificial lung device using nanocellulose membranes to demonstrate gas exchange and blood compatibility.
If you are a device manufacturer dealing with low biocompatibility and blood clotting in current oxygenators — this project developed a nanocellulose scaffold that allows for laminar blood flow. This reduces hemolysis and could extend device use to over 30 days.
If you are a material producer dealing with the limitations of polypropylene or polymethylpentene fibers — this project developed a biobased nanocellulose membrane. This material has the potential to be endothelialized, removing the need for systemic anticoagulants.
If you are a clinic dealing with an 18-month average wait time for lung transplants in the EU — this project developed a bridge-to-transplantation device. It aims to support patients out of the clinic for medium-term use.
Based on available project data, there is no information regarding the production cost or market price of the nanocellulose device.
The project is currently focused on developing an initial proof of concept to demonstrate gas transfer and hemocompatibility; industrial scaling details are not yet provided.
Based on available project data, specific patent or licensing terms are not mentioned, though the project is led by Smart Reactors Service Limited.
The project runs from December 2023 to November 2026, focusing on the proof of concept phase during this 36-month period.
The device is intended to be connected to blood vessels through tubes and cannulas, similar to existing membrane oxygenation systems.
The consortium is well-balanced for a translation project, consisting of 6 partners across 5 countries (DE, IE, PT, SE, UK). With a 33% industry ratio (2 industry partners, including 1 SME), the project blends academic research from 3 universities and 1 research entity with commercial application expertise led by Smart Reactors Service Limited.
Contact Smart Reactors Service Limited in Ireland
Contact us to track the transition of this proof-of-concept to clinical trials.
