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Respirocytes. The artificial red blood cell. Robotic blood cells Consist of about 18 billion atoms-most of which are carbon Diamond structure assembled one atom at a time Can carry 236x more oxygen than natural red blood cells.
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The artificial red blood cell • Robotic blood cells • Consist of about 18 billion atoms-most of which are carbon • Diamond structure assembled one atom at a time • Can carry 236x more oxygen than natural red blood cells http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/prosthetics/the-future-history-of-bionic-tech?click=main_sr#slide-13
Molecular sorting rotors • Key to successful respirocyte function is an active means of conveying gas molecules in and out of pressurized vessels • Proposed solution: molecular sorting rotors • Each rotor has a binding site “pockets” along the rim exposed alternatively to the blood plasma and interior chamber by the rotation of the disk • Each pocket selectively binds a specific molecule when exposed to the plasma. • Once the binding site rotates to expose it to the interior chamber, the bound molecules are forcibly ejected by rods thrust outward by the cam surface.
Sensors • Various sensors needed to acquire external data-regulate gas loading and unloading operations, tank volume management, etc • Fluid sample is drawn from environment into a fixed-volume reservoir with 10^4 refills/sec using two paddlewheel pumps • Also includes internal pressure sensors to monitor O2 and CO2 gas tank loading, container fullness sensors for ballast and glucose fuel tanks, and internal/external temperature sensors to help monitor and regulate total system energy output.
Transfusions and Perfusions • Respirocytes can be used as the active oxygen-carrying component of a universally transfusable blood substitute • Free of disease vectors like hepatitis, venereal disease, malarial parasites or AIDS • Storable indefinitely and readily available with no need for cross-matching. • May permit treatment of devout Jehovah’s Witness patients and others ho refuse transfusion of natural blood products on religious backgrounds • Respirocytes could be used as a long-duration perfusant to preserve living tissue
Treatment of Anemia and fetal and child-related disorders • Oxygenated respirocytes offer complete or partial symptomatic treatment for virtually all forms of anemia. • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of neonatal death between 1 week and 1 year of age, and respiratory distress syndrome involve recurrent oxygen deprivation of abnormalities in the automatic control of breathing, both of which could be delethalized using a therapeutic dose of red cell devices. • Respirocytes can also aid in the treatment of whooping cough, cystic fibrosis, rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever, and congenital heart disorder
Respiratory diseases • Device could provide an effective long-term drug-free symptomatic treatment for asthma • Treat conditions of low oxygen availability to nerve tissue • Birth traumas leading to cerebral palsy, and low blood-flow conditions seen in most organs of people as they age • Pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza, laryngitis, snoring, hay fever, and colds
Underwater breathing • Could serve as an in vivo SCUBA device. • Diver holds breath for 0.2-4 hours, resurfaces for 6-12 minutes to recharge, then dives again • Similar application in space exploration scenarios • Can relieve decompression sickness
Other applications • Allow new sports records to be achieved because the device can deliver oxygen to muscle tissue faster • Sprint Olympic speeds for 15 minutes at a time • Battlefield applications demanding blood replacement or personal performance enhancement • In pill form, respirocytes can be an effective, though temporary, cure for flatulence
Device testing • In order for the FDA to approve or license any blood substitute, both efficacy and safety must be established to FDA’s satisfaction • Currently extremely difficult to obtain an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for clinical applications of new devices • FDA has policy for devices deemed medically significant, but each different proposed use must have separate field and clinical trials • No physician can use any experimental device unless he or she is certain of its effectiveness and safety.
Conclusion • Nanomedical device that functions as an artificial erythrocyte • Duplicates the O2 and CO2 transport functions of red cells while eliminating need to manage carbonic acidity • Respirocyte is a currently developing device for numerous biological applications • First nanofactory projected to be up and running in 2032