On average, 17 people die each day in the US because they aren’t able to get an organ transplant in time. That’s what makes the emergence of artificial organs such an exciting development in the world of medicine — and that’s also why the news about the successful completion of … [Read more...] about First artificial heart transplant in the US deemed a success
Donor organs
Deadly spider venom could soon help repair damage from heart attacks
Australia’s Fraser Island funnel-web spider is one of the world’s most dangerous arachnids. This is because of the powerful fangs through which it delivers its potent venom, as well as the venom itself — which has recently come to the attention of scientists as a promising … [Read more...] about Deadly spider venom could soon help repair damage from heart attacks
3D-bioprinting breakthrough prints living skin onto patient wounds
When it comes to skin transplants, there are several challenges that affect the success of these complex surgical operations. On top of a lack of harvest organ availability, there is also the risk that the donor skin graft will be rejected by the patient. What’s more, skin grafts … [Read more...] about 3D-bioprinting breakthrough prints living skin onto patient wounds
Drone successfully completes longest organ delivery via unmanned aircraft
From creating breathtaking light shows to helping restore degrading ecosystems to delivering books to kids, drones can do an awful lot of things these days — including the life-saving task of transporting human organs for transplant. That is what a team of researchers from … [Read more...] about Drone successfully completes longest organ delivery via unmanned aircraft
New ‘super-cool’ storing method triples the life of donor organs
After organs are harvested following a donor’s death, there’s a very short window of time in which the transplant can be made. Livers, for example, can only be kept outside of the body for nine hours before irreparable damage is done, and the organ must be discarded. This is … [Read more...] about New ‘super-cool’ storing method triples the life of donor organs