Artificial Placenta - A Lung assist device for pre-term neonates

早产与高发病率和死亡率有关。新生儿，特别是那些出生体重非常低和胎龄小于28周的新生儿，存活率非常低，由于发育不全和不成熟的肺部缺乏表面活性剂而引起的呼吸窘迫是主要原因。目前用于新生儿呼吸支持的方法，例如机械通气和体外膜氧合（ECMO）是侵入性的，并且经常导致几种长期副作用或严重并发症。我们开发了一种生物医学设备-人工胎盘（AP）-并获得专利，该设备在生理上类似于子宫内条件，并克服了与传统方法相关的一些问题。至关重要的是，由于其微流体设计，它是唯一适合新生儿人群的。我们建议将我们的器械商业化，并申请资金用于新生儿呼吸器械的市场评估，这将为成功商业化的产品开发和商业计划提供信息。

Premature births are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Neonates, especially those with very low birth-weights and born at less than 28 weeks of gestational age have a very low survival rate, with respiratory distress caused by lack of surfactants in underdeveloped and immature lungs being a leading cause. Current methods for respiratory support in neonates, such as mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are invasive and often lead to several long-term side effects or severe complications. We have developed and patented a biomedical device - the artificial placenta (AP) - which is physiologically similar to in-utero conditions and overcomes some of the issues associated with traditional methods. Crucially, due to its microfluidic design is it the only one suited for the neonatal population. We propose to commercialize our device and request funds for a Market Assessment of respiratory devices for neonates which will inform a product development and business plans for successful commercialization.