Artificial blood! (1 Viewer)

[Mazey]

Ok im really confused about this!
Explain!
I basically need to know the forms it comes in... we were told to do an assignment on this and i (obviously) used the net... but i got my assignment back and it hadnt done so well so methinks i got a dodged website?

I know WHY we need alternatives etc. but i just need to know different forms it comes in and how it works!

Ta!
-May

 

[tempco]

I've learnt 2 forms of artificial blood:

Perflurocarbons (PFCs)
- Synthetic, inert materials
- Can dissolve 50 times more oxygen than plasma
- Cheap to produce
- Free of biological materials, therefore no risk of infection
- Must be combined with other materials to mix in with the blood stream (eg. Lipids)

Haemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers (HBOCs)
- Made from haemoglobin extracted from red blood cells
- Haemoglobin is not contained in a membrane, therefore the blood does not need to be cross matched and can be given to any patient
- Can be stored for long periods
- One problem is that haemoglobin oxidises to a different form, breaks down and cannot carry oxygen
- A substance called Polyhaemoglobin does not break down but only stays in circulation for 20-30 hours - it is restricted to short term applications
- Researchers are now working on a blood substitute with haemoglobin and enzymes inside artificial red blood cells. This will increase circulation time

Hope that helps!

 

[Mazey]

Thankz heaps!

 

[Dr_Doom]

Thanks!