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Interesting to see. There's been some other efforts in this space, from blood products derived to chemically derived (e.g. perflurocarbons, which carry many mul
by energywut 1y ago
Interesting to see. There's been some other efforts in this space, from blood products derived to chemically derived (e.g. perflurocarbons, which carry many multiples of what hemoglobin can carry, oxygen-wise).
There's definitely a need for a safe, shelf stable blood substitute.
Though, I'd argue that this isn't artificial blood, it's artificially replacing only the oxygen carrying role of blood -- there's nothing in this product that is producing clotting, fighting disease, managing hormones, fueling cells, etc. Still, excited to see this progress, transfusions are still a risky bet, and having something that can provide at least the O2 capacity in a safer package is very welcome.
- rockfishroll 1y agoYou can see my top-level comment for more context, but I've seen other products in this space called "oxygen therapeutics" for exactly this reason. They're not really blood, they're an oxygen delivery system. It seemed like a pedantic distinction when I first heard the term, but I think you make some good points about why the distinction is meaningful.
- shellfishgene 1y agoI think most transfusions after blood loss are also only red blood cells, so all these other functions are not transferred.
- energywut 1y agoTransfusions can be whole blood, plasma, platelets, RBCs, etc. in addition to saline or electrolyte solutions.