Reply to the “Comment on ‘A Pumpless Microfluidic Neonatal Lung Assist Device for Support of Preterm Neonates in Respiratory Distress’” by Li Wang, Fang Li, Zhichun Feng, Yuan Shi

Abstract

The goal of our manuscript "A Pumpless Microfluidic Neonatal Lung Assist Device for Support of Preterm Neonates in Respiratory Distress" is to present the first successful application of a microfluidic, artificial placenta type neonatal lung assist device in a newborn piglet model. Our development uses the natural placenta as a blueprint and is a step towards a lung-independent respiratory support for preterm and term infants. This device will mimic the function of a natural placenta outside of the womb. In future, such artificial placenta can become a standard bedside tool and be as widespread as a resuscitation bag in clinical routine, available at any standard newborn resuscitator unit. In cases where newborns are not transitioning perfectly to extrauterine life and have lung failure, the artificial placenta will allow physicians to just simply put the infants to a placenta-like support. [1] Requirements to Achieve Flow Rates Necessary for Optimal Operation of the Artificial PlacentaVascular access is an essential feature required for artificial placenta to be driven only by the infant's heart with sufficient gas exchange. Like the natural placenta, the artificial placenta will be connected to the umbilical arteries (UA) and vein (UV). In utero,