Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Our initial product is a novel Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) device designed from the outset for use within Extracorporeal Life Support Systems (ECLS) for up to 14 days
ECLS systems include a blood oxygenator, a pump and associated equipment to connect the system to the patient’s blood circulation. The complete ECLS system takes blood from the patient that is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide and returns fully oxygenated blood with excess carbon dioxide removed.
Working with University Departments and using computer modelling we have provided the simplest possible blood flow through the device to minimise the number of low flow areas in which blood clots might develop and minimises any rapid flow areas that could leave blood unoxygenated.
The device may also facilitate the transport of patients with lung disease to be moved to specialist treatment centres.
Future developments include automatic control, compact ECMO and improvements in other parts of the ECLS circuit.
For automatic control the development is designed to provide improved patient mobility and safety. The responsive system aims to match oxygen supply to metabolic demand. It will increase mobility, reduce the need for one to one patient care and ultimately allow extended use. This may enable patients on lung transplant waiting lists to maintain a level of health that allows for better organ matching with improved outcomes. Compact ECMO envisages a smaller device that requires less blood to be outside of the body with a lower pressure drop through the device.
