2. Introduction to Artificial Liver
• An artificial liver is a device or system designed to perform
the functions of the human liver. It is used to treat patients
with acute liver failure, chronic liver diseases, and other
liver-related conditions. The concept of an artificial liver has
been around for several decades, and researchers are
constantly working to improve the technology.
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3. The Need for Artificial Liver
• Addressing the Shortage of
Donor Livers
• Treatment for Acute Liver
Failure
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4. Current State of Liver Transplants
• There is a shortage of livers available for transplant, resulting in long
wait times and many deaths while waiting.
• Living donor liver transplants are becoming more common, but are
still limited by the number of willing donors and the risk to the
donor's health.
• Artificial liver devices are being developed to bridge the gap between
liver failure and transplant, but current devices have limitations and
are not widely available.
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5. Applications of Artificial Liver
• Liver Transplantation
Artificial livers can be used as a bridge to transplantation, keeping
patients alive while they wait for a donor liver.
• Drug Testing and Development
Artificial livers can be used to test the toxicity and efficacy of new
drugs, reducing the need for animal testing and speeding up drug
development.
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6. Types of Artificial Liver
• There are two main types of artificial
liver: extracorporeal and bioartificial.
Extracorporeal artificial liver support
systems are external devices that
filter the blood to remove toxins and
waste products. Bioartificial livers, on
the other hand, use living cells to
perform the functions of the liver.
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7. Extracorporeal Artificial Liver
• Extracorporeal artificial liver works outside the body and is connected
to the patient's blood vessels. The blood is circulated through the
device, where it is filtered and detoxified before being returned to the
patient's body. This type of artificial liver is used as a temporary
measure until the patient's own liver can recover or until a liver
transplant can be performed.
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8. Extracorporeal Liver Support Systems (ELSS)
Overview
Extracorporeal liver support systems (ELSS) are medical devices that
support the function of the liver in patients with acute liver failure
(ALF) and chronic liver disease (CLD). ELSS can be used as a bridge to
transplant or recovery, providing temporary support until the patient's
own liver can regain function or until a suitable donor liver becomes
available.
Types of ELSS
• Hepatocyte-based systems
• Non-biological systems
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9. How ELSS Devices Work
• ELSS devices work by removing
toxins and waste products
from the blood, as well as
providing support for various
liver functions. This can help to
stabilize patients with liver
failure and improve their
chances of recovery or
successful transplantation.
**Prometheus
The Prometheus ELSS
(extracorporeal liver support system)
device is a form of artificial liver
support system (ALSS) used to treat
patients with acute liver failure (ALF)
and chronic liver disease (CLD).
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10. MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System)
MARS is an extracorporeal liver support system that uses albumin-bound molecules
to selectively remove toxins from the blood. The device is designed to help patients
with acute liver failure (ALF) and chronic liver disease (CLD) by providing temporary
liver support while they wait for a transplant or recover from their illness.
How MARS Works
MARS works by circulating the patient's blood through a filter containing albumin-
bound molecules that selectively remove toxins. The filtered blood is then returned
to the patient's body. The albumin used in the filter is derived from human blood
plasma and is specially treated to remove any viruses or other pathogens.
Benefits of MARS
• Improved liver function and reduced toxicity levels in the blood.
• Reduced need for liver transplantation in some cases.
• Improved survival rates for patients with ALF and CLD.
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11. HepaLife
HepaLife is an extracorporeal liver support system (ELSS) device that has shown
promising results in treating acute liver failure (ALF) and chronic liver disease (CLD).
• How it Works
The HepaLife ELSS device uses a combination of plasma exchange and adsorption to
remove toxins and waste products from the patient's blood. The device also
provides essential metabolic support to the liver, allowing it to regenerate and
recover.
Benefits
• Can be used as a bridge to transplant or recovery for patients with ALF or CLD.
• Provides metabolic support to the liver, promoting regeneration and recovery.
• Removes toxins and waste products from the patient's blood, improving overall
health and reducing the risk of complications.
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12. Bioartificial Artificial Liver
• Bioartificial artificial liver is a more complex device that contains living
cells and works inside the body. The cells are usually derived from
human or animal liver tissue and are used to perform the same
functions as a healthy liver. This type of artificial liver is still in the
experimental stage and is being developed as a long-term solution for
patients with liver failure.
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13. Cell Sources for BALs
• Bioartificial liver (BAL) systems rely on the use of cells to provide
metabolic and detoxification functions in patients with acute or
chronic liver failure. There are several potential sources of cells for
BALs, including:
• Stem Cells
• Primary Hepatocytes
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14. Advancements in Artificial Liver Technology
• Artificial liver technology has come a long way in recent years, with several
advancements being made to improve the effectiveness and accessibility
of this life-saving treatment.
Recent Advancements in Artificial Liver Technology
• The development of artificial liver support systems (ALSS) as a bridge to
transplant or recovery is becoming more common, bringing hope for
patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and chronic liver disease (CLD).
These advancements have the potential to significantly improve the
quality of life for those suffering from liver disease, and may even save
lives.
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15. Miniature Bioartificial Livers
• These devices are designed to mimic the
functions of a natural liver, using living
cells to filter toxins from the blood and
produce essential proteins. Miniature
bioartificial livers are smaller and more
portable than traditional artificial livers,
making them easier to use in emergency
situations or for patients who require
ongoing treatment.
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16. 3D Printing
• 3D printing technology has been used to create artificial livers
with greater precision and accuracy than ever before. This allows
doctors to tailor treatment to each patient's individual needs,
improving the chances of a successful outcome.
Nanotechnology
• Nanoparticles have been used to create more efficient and
effective artificial livers. These tiny particles can be programmed
to target specific cells or functions within the liver, improving the
overall effectiveness of the treatment.
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17. Clinical trials for artificial liver
technology have been conducted to
evaluate the safety and efficacy of
these devices. These trials typically
involve testing the devices in
animals and humans to assess their
performance and potential side
effects.
Clinical Trials
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18. Prototype Devices
• Prototype devices for artificial liver support and replacement
are also being developed, with promising results. These
devices aim to mimic the functions of the liver, such as
detoxification and metabolism, and can provide temporary
support for patients with liver failure while they await a
transplant or recover from acute liver injury.
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19. Benefits and Limitations of Artificial Liver
Benefits:
• Provides temporary support
for liver function until a
donor liver becomes
available.
• Can be used to bridge
patients to liver transplant.
• May improve survival rates
for patients with acute liver
failure.
Limitations:
•Expensive and not widely
available.
•May not be effective in treating
all forms of liver disease.
•Can cause complications such
as infection and bleeding.
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20. Future of Artificial Liver
Advancements in Technology
• As technology continues to advance, the future of artificial liver looks promising.
Researchers are exploring new ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of artificial liver devices, including the development of more sophisticated
materials and techniques for creating artificial liver cells.
Personalized Medicine
• As the field of personalized medicine continues to evolve, there may be a greater
emphasis on developing artificial liver devices that can be tailored to individual
patients based on their specific needs and medical histories.
Regenerative Medicine
• The field of regenerative medicine holds great promise for the future of artificial
liver. Researchers are exploring ways to create new liver cells from a patient's
own cells, which could potentially eliminate the need for liver transplants and
reduce the risk of rejection.
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