Bioartificial liver: review of science requirements and technology

Abstract

Social development in health services is concerned as a global issue. More than nine million people die due to internal organ failure and one percent of this number is due to liver disease. In 1990, more than 27,000 deaths in the USA were caused by liver failure. From the numerous reviews on liver failure and associated support therapies, there is increasing interest in this field throughout the world. Although Liver Transplantation (LT) has become standard procedure for hepatic failure patients, a number of issues still need to be addressed which make LT a very challenging field. One alternative way for liver failure therapy is a bioartificial liver (BAL) (hepatocytes cells device). The optimal BAL should be able to supply the required oxygen and sufficient nutrients. This paper focuses on how sustainable developments in science and technology were used for illness fighting. Current developments in hybrid artificial liver systems and their design parameters were used in this paper as examples. In addition, our new theory of Fibre-in-Fibre BAL device is also reviewed as an alternative to provide the support of daily and social life of human beings.