The Artificial The Artificial LiverLiver

Thaeje ShankerThaeje ShankerBME 181BME 181

THE LIVERTHE LIVER

One of the most complex One of the most complex organs in the body.organs in the body.

The only organ that can The only organ that can regenerate itself.regenerate itself.

Functions:Functions: Filtering bloodFiltering blood Produce cholesterolProduce cholesterol Produce hormonesProduce hormones Stores glycogenStores glycogen Stores vitaminsStores vitamins Produce the necessary Produce the necessary

biochemicals for digestionbiochemicals for digestion

LIVER DISEASELIVER DISEASE

Affects more than 30 million people in the USAffects more than 30 million people in the US Affects every 1 in 12 AmericansAffects every 1 in 12 Americans

Causes:Causes: ObesityObesity AlcoholAlcohol Hepatitis B/CHepatitis B/C ToxinsToxins Acetaminophen (Tylenol)Acetaminophen (Tylenol) CancerCancer

TREATMENTTREATMENT

The most effective treatment of liver The most effective treatment of liver disease is a liver transplant.disease is a liver transplant.

Since liver transplants have a long wait list, Since liver transplants have a long wait list, the role of an artificial liver would be to the role of an artificial liver would be to sustain life until the transplant is complete sustain life until the transplant is complete or until the liver can regenerate itself. or until the liver can regenerate itself.

VITAL THERAPIESVITAL THERAPIES

Vital Therapies company has created the Vital Therapies company has created the first cell-based, artificial liver designed to first cell-based, artificial liver designed to stabilize liver function until a transplant.stabilize liver function until a transplant. Product is called ELAD, which stands for Product is called ELAD, which stands for

Extra-corporeal Liver Assist Device.Extra-corporeal Liver Assist Device. Device does not substitute all functions of the Device does not substitute all functions of the

liverliver ELAD is able to process toxins, synthesize ELAD is able to process toxins, synthesize

proteins, and give a longer survival time until proteins, and give a longer survival time until transplant. transplant.

ELADELAD

ELAD system is an external machine that ELAD system is an external machine that can support liver function up to thirty can support liver function up to thirty days.days. Consists of four cartridges, a glucose Consists of four cartridges, a glucose

pump, and a dialysis type pump.pump, and a dialysis type pump. Cartridges are lined with human liver cells Cartridges are lined with human liver cells

(Hepatocytes) that were derived from a (Hepatocytes) that were derived from a human liver tumor and grown in the human liver tumor and grown in the cartridges.cartridges.

The liver cells can perform metabolic The liver cells can perform metabolic functions and the cartridges last up to functions and the cartridges last up to seventeen days.seventeen days.

HOW IT WORKSHOW IT WORKS

1) The Dialysis pump takes in blood from the 1) The Dialysis pump takes in blood from the patient and separates the plasma out of the patient and separates the plasma out of the blood.blood.

2) Then the plasma runs through the cartridges. 2) Then the plasma runs through the cartridges. The cells in the cartridges filter the toxins out of The cells in the cartridges filter the toxins out of the plasma and produces proteins.the plasma and produces proteins.

3) Then the plasma goes to the glucose pump, 3) Then the plasma goes to the glucose pump, where glucose is added to the plasma.where glucose is added to the plasma.

4) Last, the plasma is returned to the patients 4) Last, the plasma is returned to the patients bloodstreambloodstream

ELAD SYSTEMELAD SYSTEM

CURRENT CURRENT EXPERIMENTSEXPERIMENTS

September 2012- Vital Therapies announced September 2012- Vital Therapies announced that it would start three pivotal phases in the that it would start three pivotal phases in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The phases US, Australia, and New Zealand. The phases would involve patients with alcohol hepatitis would involve patients with alcohol hepatitis seeking a liver transplant. seeking a liver transplant.

Phase 1 has already begun, with the other Phase 1 has already begun, with the other two phases to take place next year.two phases to take place next year.

If the company is successful with these If the company is successful with these phase research trials, the device could most phase research trials, the device could most likely launch by the end of 2016. likely launch by the end of 2016.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

http://www.vitaltherapies.comhttp://www.vitaltherapies.com

http://medcitynews.com/2012/11/supported-http://medcitynews.com/2012/11/supported-by-an-86-million-round-first-bio-artificial-by-an-86-million-round-first-bio-artificial-liver-moves-toward-pivotal-trials/liver-moves-toward-pivotal-trials/

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28981937/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28981937/#.UUX7Cxyd6xU#.UUX7Cxyd6xU