Respiratory Device Overcomes Limitations of Mechanical Ventilation

A respiratory dialysis device removes carbon dioxide (CO2) and delivers oxygen directly to the blood, allowing a patient’s lungs to rest and heal.

The Hemolung Respiratory Assist System (RAS) offers an alternative to invasive mechanical ventilation by effectively supplementing lung function through a single, small catheter, removing up to 50% retained CO2 while delivering oxygen directly to the patient's blood via the femoral or jugular veins, allowing the patient to stay alert, eat, and communicate. Since the device eliminates the need for intubation, sedation, and tracheostomies, patients benefit from a reduced length of stay, reduced incidence of ventilator-assisted pneumonia (VAP), reduced airway wall damage, and the elimination of the ventilator weaning period.


The Hemolung also replaces supplemental mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a broad range of patients suffering from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, acute respiratory failure (ARF), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), congestive heart failure (CHF) with pulmonary edema, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The Hemolung RAS is a product of ALung Technologies (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) and it has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

“The Hemolung RAS is the first device to provide simple, efficient, low-flow extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal for patients with acute respiratory failure,” said Peter DeComo, chairman and CEO of ALung. “We are excited to now be able to make this technology available to European intensive care units.”

“The Hemolung approach is really innovative,” said Nicholas Barrett, MD, consultant in critical care at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (London, United Kingdom). “We see a lot of potential for devices like the Hemolung RAS in helping patients avoid the deleterious effects of invasive mechanical ventilation, either by avoidance of intubation or de-escalation of ventilator settings.”

Related Links:
ALung Technologies
Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust