What are artificial organs and what are they for?

In organ donation processes, there are many factors that influence the feasibility or proper functioning of the intervention process, where the compatibility and reception of the organism is important or for it to be successful.

In addition to this, the demand for organs for transplantation exceeds availability, so the use of technology to solve this growing problem has been of great utility and importance for the health system.

In this sense, genetic engineeringthen concentrates not only on the creation of artificial organs, but on tissues to recover damage caused and medicines that avoid the rejection of the interventions performed.

In the following article, we will focus onartificial organs, their characteristics, types and what are the existing ones.

What are artificial organs?

Artificial organs are defined by the Institute ofBioethics asorgans built in vitrowhere a process of cell development is attempted in the laboratory, which imitates the functioning in the organism of what would become its “natural counterpart”.

Fun fact: Willem Johan Kolff was the first to develop afunctional artificial kidney, and by 1943 he used his creations on a patient for the first time. He is considered then, one of the most important doctors and scientists of the twentieth century and clearly, the father of artificial organs.

Currently, technologies have advancedand developed new techniques for the development of artificial organs, thus improving the quality of life of patientsand reducing existing risks.

Characteristics of artificial organs

Artificial organs are made up of certain characteristics, which allow the understanding of their origin and functioning. They will be mentioned and described below.

They are part of synthetic biology

The creation of artificial organs is definitely one of the fundamental objectives of the creation of synthetic biology, being applied through genetic coding and cell structuring, which constitute tools that allow saving lives and maintaining the quality of life of patients.

Note: It is also evoked, in the corresponding and exhaustive study for the understanding of its functionality and structure in detail, seeking not to leave gaps that allow covering even unexplored fields in similar areas.

They constitute tissues and organs manufactured

As we previously mentioned, technology not only deals with the creation of organs, but tissues that deal with the proper functioning of the body and the necessary recovery.

To highlight: In the research paper Stem Cell Therapies for Organ Transplantation , a combination of biologically active cells and molecules is explained for the creation of functional tissues and allow the restoration of damage or even complete organs. (1)

Restore the functions of the damaged natural organ

Artificial organs are responsible for fulfilling the functions of natural organs due to the similarity of the structure and processes.

It is even worth mentioning the research carried out in the journal Integrative Biology , where they not only think about transplantation due to biological necessity, but also about supporting organs with others to improve their functioning and performance. (two)

Novel tissue engineering techniques are applied

In genetic engineering and tissue engineering, a number of technological advances have been developed that have become impressive novelties.

The use of chips called “organs on a chip” are devices that recreate the functionality of organs on a scale in order to study and recognize their real and total functioning.

Note: From all these technologies, it is that the most important advances have happened, allowing the most similar development possible.

They are not fully effective and implantable

Technologies are always under study and progress to reduce errors and risks, understanding that all organizations are different and in many cases there is incompatibility and erroneous execution of functionalities.

An attempt is made with them to prolong the natural limits of the individual, but the development of the tools continues to have adaptation difficulties and in some cases failures in efficiency or objective.

Types of artificial organs

Artificial organs have different natures, they will be mentioned and described below for your understanding and recognition.

3D organs

The creation of organs and tissues through 3D printersis an advance that reduces many concerns at the medicinal level. For these processes, biological materials such as stem cells are used, where the laser is in charge of locating them, giving them shape and recreating living tissues.

To highlight: At the School of Industrial Organization, they expose the importance of always using the Appropriate materialin order to ensure the success of the interventions, the acceptance of the organ and compatibility with the organism. Its behavior and texture will be thedeterminants in the regenerative process . (3)

transplanted organs

Transplanted organs are those that are transferred from one individual to another , who would become donor and recipienttag. The most common reason is the replacement of a sick or injured one with a healthy one, which prolongs a person’s life, improves and ensures their quality of life.

The organs that can be transplanted comprise a long listthat will be summarized below:

• Lung
• Heart
• Kidney
• Stomach
• Blood
• Bones
• Skin
• Cornea

Decellularized organs

Decellularization is one of the most controversial and revolutionary techniques ofgenetic engineering by buildingtissues or organsthrough them, “ex vivos”.

Fun fact: In 1920 the first success of this nature occurred, where the idea was then stabilized with a standardization of the recognition of the process.

It consists of initially producing a structural mold , quite similar to the organ to be reconstructed, to later Proceed to decellularizationthrough chemical, physical, ionic and enzymatic processes .

organs on a chip

As we previously mentioned, there is a technology that is called “organ on a chip” and consists of a device that recreates the functions of the real or natural organ on a microscale , in order to understand its operation and allow the correct development of its study. (4)

The start of this was in 2010 by Donald Ingber, who created a lung on a chip, being about the size of a USB stick, flexible and translucent. Patterns that are considered complex are executed on the chip , having microfluidic tubes and responding to the corresponding structural functions.

What artificial organs have been tried to develop?

The artificial organs that have been tried to develop go hand in hand with the transplant interventionsthat used to be considered possible and also those that with technology could respond in a better way for their acceptance and compatibility. These will be mentioned and described below.

Heart

The artificial heart has been one of the greatest goals of modern medicine and in the year 2000 was when experiments and research really began to bear fruit.

The results have been contradictory to each other, based on notable counterexamples, working in different ways in patients and organisms.

Note: Initially their objective was to keep the patient alive while they obtained the right organ, especially considering that the prolongation of life as an artificial organ is not indefinite.

Liver

For application in this organ , it focuses on liver failure,which is usually a fairly serious and recurrent pathology. TheBioartificial liver functions as a support device for organ function.

There are not only substitutions, but also elements that allow it to be protected, as in the case of the development of the tool at Pompeu Fabra University , where an algorithm was applied to recognize liver fat levels.

To highlight: In the research article on the Bioartificial Liver, it is described as “a device for extracorporeal circulation in which the patient’s blood or plasma circulates through a bioreactor containing liver cells of various origin.” (5)

Kidney

Artificial kidneys are the ones that save the life of a patient with compromised renal function , allowing the life of the patient to be prolonged with the circulation of blood through it.

Artificial kidneys have been in development for approximately 15 years , however there is still no permanent and stable model, since the production of clots that can collapse the body continues to be a latent risk.

Bladder

The artificial bladder is also known as a neobladder, it is a device that helps store urine and expel it. Primarily the bladder must be removed and then the ducts reconstructed.

Note: These types of interventions are usually applied when there are invading cells in the urinary tract, for which a reconstruction is basically needed.

intestines

They have a functionality equal to the natural or original intestines, the bioartificial intestines are emphasized in changing the lives of individuals with gastrointestinal conditions, with tissues from stem cells for the recovery of damages or diseases.

In this sense, the Bioartificial intestine is then capable of regenerating and allowing recovery by fragments, but highly possible.

Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body, as well as being fascinating and complex. The investigations are evoked in anartificial intelligence prosthesis, which is capable of imitating human skin in terms of characteristics such as resistance, elasticity and even the sensitivity that it is capable of registering.

Note: Among the technological developments, there are projects such as E-Skin summarized in a National Geographic article where they state that an electronic skin would be capable of accurately recording data such as temperature, where its elements must be taken care of due to the support it must have to the constant friction and scrapes to which we are exposed daily. (6)

The use of in vitro tissues is also preserved , to recover the functionality of fragments of both the skin and organs that are damaged or affected.

Ear

It is recognized as a device that is integrated into our body , to replace the ear that is damaged or affected by birth or accidents throughout our lives. It is capable of receiving signals and performing the tasks normally controlled by the auditory system.

Artificial ears Do not have a generalized conceptualization , however it is given to an Electronic Systemthat has the ability to simulate the receptivity of the receiving auditory system, although it should be made quite clear that it is not in charge of interpreting or making decisions: it only receives signals. Encode.(7)

Blood vessels

The blood vessels are artificially designed for their implantationtag. In the article developed by theHeart and Life organization on these artificial organs, they talk about the use of sheepskin cells, repopulating the cells of the recipient and allowing them to grow within the organism. (8)

Note: It is oriented for people who have difficulties or defects in the cardiac systemand its innumerable connections. It is considered that with adequate study they can be developed, preserved and available for implantation within the organism when necessary.

Spinal Discs

These are necessary when a degeneration of the lower back occurs in the patient with chronic pain and disability in the back as a result of injuries or diseases.

In this sense, artificial spinal discs are used to replace natural spinal discs and to be able to give back the correct mobility and functionality of our spine.

It is one of the best alternatives and preserves the physiological movement of the joint, in addition to preventing the degeneration of adjacent discs due to the approach of the prosthesis.

Windpipe

Artificial tracheas are made from stem cells , an exact replica of the cartilaginous tissue that allows the correct functionality of the system and produces compatibility due to its nature, evolution and accurate compatibility.

Important: At Wake Forest University , they did a study to develop one from rabbit ear cells because of the nature of the organ to be replaced, and this then allows compliance with trachea function due to accidental conditions that compromise the life of the patient. (9)

She must be intervened and thanks to technology replaced by a prosthesis that will save her life.

Key Findings

• Artificial organs are made in vitro in order to mimic the functions of real organs.
• They allow to improve the quality of life of people who suffer from some damage to their natural organs.
• They are not totally effective since there is incompatibility and adaptation difficulties.
• There are several types of artificial organs: 3D organs, transplanted, decellularized and organs on a chip.
• The heart, kidneys, liver, intestines, bladder and spinal discs are some of the organs that have been recreated so far.