Artificial Lung Simulation

Previous models of lung interactions have been limited in that they only involve a single tissue. Examples of these models are models of blood vessels, muscle, and other tissues. One research group at the University of Michigan carved microscopic channels (airways) and then stimulated fluid and air flow through them.

However, researchers at the University of Michigan, led by Donald Ingber, have recently produced a model of the boundary between the alveolar and the capillary in the lung. This is the first time that a model has been produced incorporating two different tissues (respiratory and vascular) and this is the first model to incorporate the rhythmic pressure changes in our chest as we breathe. In order to accomplish this, the researchers utilized pieces of human lung and vascular cells. These cells helped stimulate the interactions between the alveolus and the capillaries.

In order to replicate this boundary, Dongeun Huh at Harvard fashioned two microscopic channels in a small chamber of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is an elastic material. A 10-micron thick porous barrier was placed in between the two channels to separate them. Human cells were grown on both sides of the barrier: respiratory tissue on one and vascular tissue on the other. Next, fluid was run through the vascular channel and air flow was started in the respiratory tissue. In order to stimulate breathing, the researchers applied vacuum pressure to both sides of the chamber, which caused the tissues to stretch similarly to in vivo.

This research group made great strides by producing the first model that allows us to observe the interactions between two tissue boundaries in real time. This will be truly helpful in the future in regards to experiments such as drug and engineering testing. In this way, testing on animals would be significantly reduced. This article interested me because of the great technological contributions that this device will lend to the future. By bypassing animal testing, we will be able to produce more respiratory drugs at a faster rate.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/med-tech/lung-on-a-chip-medicine