Collaborative Research: GCR: Characterization and Robust Multivariable Control of the Dynamics of Gas Exchange During Peritoneal Oxygenated Perfluorocarbon Perfusion

这个日益融合的研究项目解决了关键的社会需求，即开发一种非肺依赖性技术，为COVID-19等疾病导致的呼吸衰竭患者提供呼吸支持。 体外膜肺氧合（ECMO）是目前唯一可用的此类技术，但它是一种昂贵且稀缺的资源，并发症使其无法作为许多患者的选择，即使它可用。 该项目将开发一种“第三肺”技术，通过在腹腔中循环含氧全氟化碳（PFC，一种具有非凡气体溶解特性的安全惰性液体），实现非肺依赖性气体交换。 这是一个融合了生物工程和控制理论与生理学的研究项目，旨在创造一种每年有可能挽救数千人生命的技术。获得NSF EAGER奖支持的初步研究结果证明了氧合和CO2清除的潜在救生程度。该项目将在三个具体方向上推动研究范围：（一）开发能够测量PFC中溶解气体浓度以及PFC温度和压力的多功能光纤传感器;（二）利用台式和动物实验进一步描述“第三肺”气体交换的基本动力学并建立模型;以及（iii）为“第三肺”开发新的鲁棒多变量控制算法，促进其作为呼吸衰竭患者治疗中的常规辅助手段的潜在实施。 该研究项目将汇集来自生物医学工程、传感、自动控制和医学等领域的多元化研究团队，致力于具有高潜在社会影响力的研究。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响力审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Growing Convergence Research project addresses the critical societal need to develop a lung-independent technique for providing respiratory support to patients with respiratory failure from disorders such as COVID-19. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the only such technique currently available, but is an expensive and scarce resource with complications that preclude it as an option for many patients, even when it is available. This project will develop a “third lung” technology that achieves lung-independent gas exchange by circulating oxygenated perfluorocarbon (PFC, a safe, inert liquid with extraordinary gas-dissolving properties) through the abdominal cavity. This is a convergent research project that integrates bioengineering and control theory with physiology to create a technology with the potential to save thousands of lives every year.Preliminary research results supported with an NSF EAGER award demonstrate potentially life-saving degrees of oxygenation and CO2 clearance. This project will push the research boundaries in three specific directions: (i) the development of a multi-functional fiber-optic sensor capable of measuring dissolved gas concentrations in PFC, as well as PFC temperature and pressure; (ii) the use of both benchtop and animal experiments to further characterize and model the fundamental dynamics of “third lung” gas exchange; and (iii) the development of novel robust multivariable control algorithms for the “third lung”, facilitating its potential implementation as a routine adjunct in the treatment of patients with respiratory failure. This convergent research portfolio will bring together a diverse research team from the fields of biomedical engineering, sensing, automatic control, and medicine in pursuit of research with high potential societal impact.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.