Dr Ana Martins Costa developed RenOx, a proof-of-concept for a device that combines an artificial lung and kidney into one compact unit. Her innovation, which she defended in her PhD thesis this summer, could mark a new step in the treatment of critically ill patients.
Artificial lung systems, known as ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), are often used for patients with severe lung disease when regular treatments fail. But nearly 70% of patients who need an artificial lung also suffer from kidney failure. This typically requires a second machine for continuous kidney support. “Using two separate machines increases both risks and costs,” says Martins Costa. “RenOx is designed to make that safer and simpler.”
Combining two medical devices
RenOx is a new medical device that can support both the lungs and the kidneys at the same time. It uses special membranes to add oxygen to the blood and remove waste, just like two separate machines normally do. But RenOx combines these functions into one compact device, about the size of a regular artificial lung. This simpler setup could reduce the risk of complications like bleeding, blood clots, or infections.
To test the RenOx prototype, the researchers used full blood from pigs. This kind of testing is important because it gives a more realistic picture of how the device interacts with blood. “Blood from pigs is quite similar to human blood. The use of full blood with red blood cells is essential to accurately measure gas exchange with our artificial lung devices,” explains Martins Costa. These tests helped the team evaluate how well RenOx can add oxygen to the blood, remove carbon dioxide and eliminate waste products.
The project is a close collaboration between engineers and medical professionals. Martins Costa emphasises that continued development is crucial. Important clinical questions, like who should get it, when, and how to wean someone off, still need exploration. But if successful, this technology could transform critical care.
More information
Her research was carried out at the Engineering Organ Support Technologies research group (EOST; Faculty of ET and TechMed Centre), in cooperation with RWTH Aachen University, and Hannover Medical Hospital, with support from the German Research Foundation (DFG). It contributes to the long-term goal of developing smarter, more integrated artificial organs as a novel intensive care treatment. (Co)Promotors were Prof Dr-Ing Jutta Arens and Dr Frank R. Halfwerk from the faculty of ET.
