Artificial Placenta (ArtPlac) - Miniaturized Integrated Lung and Kidney Support for Critically Ill Newborns

Introduction

This Pathfinder project will establish a radical change in the treatment of newborns using an artificial placenta (ArtPlac). What drives us towards a radical new treatment approach? 2 million neonatal deaths occur worldwide yearly.

Background

The technological advancements of the last fifty years were based on scaling down adult devices, which are not ideal for all babies. Why? Because babies are not just small adults! In fact, the applied treatments are very invasive and cause side effects by damaging their sensitive bodies. Survivors often suffer from life-long complications or cannot live independently.

The Role of the Placenta

In utero, the placenta is a life-giving organ and serves as:

1. Fetal lung
2. Fetal kidney
3. Feeder

Because the placenta cannot be reconnected after preterm birth, we aim to continue the placental support with ArtPlac.

ArtPlac Device

Our novel device simply connects to the belly button for lung and kidney support while the newborn can breathe, mature, and heal. To achieve this, a novel compact and miniaturized all-in-one artificial placenta device combining lung and kidney functions will be developed.

Plug-in Approach

Our plug-in approach will use the natural umbilical vessels at the belly button with expandable catheters to provide a large bore vascular access like in utero. This allows ArtPlac to be driven solely by the newborn's heart, like in the womb.

Inline Sensors and Feedback Loops

Inline sensors will analyze blood parameters without painful collection. Feedback loops in ArtPlac will provide individual demand-driven support. Inbuilt features for hemocompatibility will prevent thrombosis and the use of high-dose systemic anticoagulation, which carries a high risk for brain bleeding.

Family Integrated Care

Importantly, ArtPlac allows family integrated care, providing therapy for the newborn in close connection to its family.

Conclusion

In summary, our visionary approach revolutionizes the treatment of newborns after birth. It will reduce brain damage and comorbidities, promote long-term health, and therefore improve the survival chances of up to 1.2 million newborns per year.