BioMembrOS | Biomimetic Membranes for Organ Support

Summary
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is currently seen in huge numbers of patients worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
but also before that, respiratory diseases were the third largest cause of death in the EU. Current therapy for respiratory failure
includes mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) both associated with high morbidity and
mortality. In ECMO devices the functionality of the lungs tissue membranes that are responsible for gas exchange during breathing is
usually taken over by bundles of synthetic cylindrical hollow fiber membranes. Geometries and transport characteristics of standard
hollow fiber membranes are not suitable for re-building the structurally complex and dynamic contracting microstructure of the
mammalian lung and consequently, artificial devices to assist/replace respiration still face major limitations in size, flow characteristics
and hemocompatibility that impede the development of efficient intracorporeal devices. In BioMembrOS, we want to follow a
groundbreaking new biomimetic approach, and replicate main characteristics of the most effective respiration found in vertebrates,
mainly birds and fish, in order to develop membrane structures that will serve as key elements for a novel generation of artificial
respiration devices. To reach this goal, we will a) optimize geometry of the membrane structure by mimicking microstructure of the
gills of fish to increase outer surface per membrane area, mimicking globular shape of the gas transporting inner lumen and
interconnected arrangement of membrane fibers of avian respiration; b) design and control flow characteristics and boundary layer
applying μPIV experimental flow investigations and structural design optimization; c) design and synthesize bi-soft segment
polyurethane membranes with increased hemocompatibility and gas permeability with phase inversion; and d) verify and benchmark
the boosted mass transfer capabilities by in-vitro blood tests
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101130006
Start date: 01-01-2024
End date: 30-06-2027
Total budget - Public funding: 2 897 578,75 Euro - 2 897 578,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is currently seen in huge numbers of patients worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
but also before that, respiratory diseases were the third largest cause of death in the EU. Current therapy for respiratory failure
includes mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) both associated with high morbidity and
mortality. In ECMO devices the functionality of the lungs tissue membranes that are responsible for gas exchange during breathing is
usually taken over by bundles of synthetic cylindrical hollow fiber membranes. Geometries and transport characteristics of standard
hollow fiber membranes are not suitable for re-building the structurally complex and dynamic contracting microstructure of the
mammalian lung and consequently, artificial devices to assist/replace respiration still face major limitations in size, flow characteristics
and hemocompatibility that impede the development of efficient intracorporeal devices. In BioMembrOS, we want to follow a
groundbreaking new biomimetic approach, and replicate main characteristics of the most effective respiration found in vertebrates,
mainly birds and fish, in order to develop membrane structures that will serve as key elements for a novel generation of artificial
respiration devices. To reach this goal, we will a) optimize geometry of the membrane structure by mimicking microstructure of the
gills of fish to increase outer surface per membrane area, mimicking globular shape of the gas transporting inner lumen and
interconnected arrangement of membrane fibers of avian respiration; b) design and control flow characteristics and boundary layer
applying μPIV experimental flow investigations and structural design optimization; c) design and synthesize bi-soft segment
polyurethane membranes with increased hemocompatibility and gas permeability with phase inversion; and d) verify and benchmark
the boosted mass transfer capabilities by in-vitro blood tests

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01

Update Date

12-03-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon Europe
HORIZON.3 Innovative Europe
HORIZON.3.1 The European Innovation Council (EIC)
HORIZON.3.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01
HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01 EIC Pathfinder Open