CMU-developed artificial lung gives lift to DARPA project

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded $18 million to a multi-institutional team, including Keith Cook, to develop a novel extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and advanced life-support system device capable of rapid deployment to support wounded military personnel. ECMO systems assist patients by supporting heart and lung function when their organs are too damaged or weak to function normally.

“There are two major pieces to this project,” said project leader Steve Keller, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “One is our desire to advance the care of the critically ill patient, especially those suffering from respiratory failure, shock, or active hemorrhage, who need a great deal of hands-on clinical expertise and care. Second is the need to better the care for patients with organ failure using transformative technologies.”

The team, co-led by Sung-Min Cho, D.O., plans to research and create a durable, portable device that expands upon existing ECMO functionalities for the purpose of stabilizing military personnel who need lifesaving care but are unable to be immediately transported to medical facilities. Traditional ECMO systems cannot be easily deployed outside of clinical settings and require vast clinical resources. ECMO is increasingly relied on to support patients with respiratory failure, often for prolonged periods, to deliver oxygen to tissues while eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood.

The research team’s system will not only carry out existing ECMO capabilities, but will also have new features, including a smart system capable of detecting, interpreting and automatically adjusting its level of support based on biological feedback from a patient using the machine. The system will also have the ability to provide resuscitation, as well as have improved catheters, making it easier to access a patient’s vascular system for ECMO use.

“We’re excited to be part of this impressive team, led by Dr. Keller,” noted Keith Cook, department head and professor of biomedical engineering. ”At CMU, we developed and patented a new artificial lung to provide respiratory support for military applications, in collaboration with Matt Bacchetta from Vanderbilt University. That device is now being commercialized through the CMU spin-out Advanced Respiratory Technologies. Incorporating this lung into a system with an innovative catheter and automated resuscitation method is a great next step.”

These devices also have immense potential for civilian use and could transform the treatment landscape for lung injuries and trauma care. The researchers note that the addition of these novel features to existing ECMO systems will expand use of this technology and improve clinical care.

Additional institutions involved in the project include Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Massachusetts – Lowell, and Vanderbilt University.