Creating a portable artificial lung for veterans with lung disease
Official title: 3D Printed Microfluidic Artificial Lung for Veteran Rehabilitation
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11176052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, smaller artificial lung made with 3D printing to help veterans with lung disease breathe better and recover more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003920-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans aged 21 and older who are suffering from chronic lung diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute lung conditions that require immediate and intensive care may not benefit from this portable artificial lung technology.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a portable and biocompatible artificial lung specifically designed to assist veterans suffering from lung disease. By utilizing advanced 3D printing technology, the project seeks to create a microfluidic artificial lung that mimics natural lung structures, allowing for improved gas exchange and better rehabilitation outcomes. The innovative design will enable more efficient blood flow and reduce the overall size of the device, making it suitable for both short and long-term respiratory support. The research will focus on overcoming current limitations in artificial lung technology to enhance patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with a more effective and portable solution for respiratory support, significantly improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in artificial lung technology, this specific approach using 3D printing for microfluidic designs is novel and has not been extensively tested in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Potkay, Joseph Allen — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Potkay, Joseph Allen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.