Metabolic monitoring tech could help identify more donor lungs for transplantation
Researchers have developed a device called MetaboSense that continuously monitors metabolic biomarkers in donor lungs during ex vivo lung perfusion. This technology aims to reduce the high rate of discarded donor lungs by providing more accurate, real-time data on organ health.
Why it matters
Improving the viability of donor organs could significantly alleviate the chronic shortage of lungs available for life-saving transplants.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source A sensor developed to continuously monitor the health of donated lungs prior to transplantation features a modular design of small glass slides. Credit: University of Waterloo More than three-quarters of donated lungs offered for transplantation are not used, according to the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, contributing to a chronic shortage of organs for patients with end-stage lung disease.
Researchers hope a new medical device incorporating monitoring technology they recently developed could ultimately help change that by continuously measuring key indicators of lung function while donor organs are maintained outside the body.
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