Hope for lung patients

It is thought the device could save thousands of lives and take away the need for patients to have lung transplants.

The machine has been designed by researchers at Swansea University working in tandem with Swansea-based biomedical firm, Haemair Ltd.

Lead researcher Professor Bill Johns said: “This is a very exciting development. 

“Our goal is to modify this device and put the whole thing inside the body to replace the lungs of people with conditions as serious as lung cancer.”

The machine, which was unveiled at London’s Science museum on Friday, consists of a plastic outer tube with a porous inner tube – imitating  a real lung.

Blood is pumped through the inner chamber and air through the outer chamber. During the process the blood is oxygenated. The artificial lung is able to “read” signals indicating whet-her the body needs more oxygen through a sensor and a chemical introduced into the man-made lung stops blood clots from forming.

The prototype is initially to be produced as a portable device helping lung patients to remain mobile while they are being treated.

Professor Johns, whose son died of the lung disease cystic fibrosis, said the model would be available to the NHS “within five years”. And he predicted that an artificial lung for inside the body would be on the market within 10 years.

Keith Prowse, a respiratory consultant and chairman of the British Lung Foundation welcomed the new technology.

“A portable artificial lung would have major effects on a patient’s quality of life. It would increase their physical ability, improve their health and reduce their social isolation. It could potentially be a tremendous advance.”