Experimental bio-artificial liver: Importance of the architectural design on ammonia detoxification performance

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the steps followed to arrive to the design of a “flat -bottom” bio-artificial liver device suitable to support the appropriate performance of liver microorgans as the biological component. Liver microorgans (LMOs) were obtained from Wistar rat livers: (1) Evaluation of LMO performance parameters in Normothermic Reoxygenation System; (2) Evaluation of LMO performance in cylindrical bio-artificial liver (BAL) and finding that they were unable to detoxify an ammonia overload in the test blood; (3) Evaluation of LMO performance in the newly designed “flat -bottom” BAL that proved suitable to support ammonia detoxification function. LMO: Liver microorgan; NRS: Normothermic Reoxygenation System; BAL: Bio-artificial liver.

Figure 2 Devices used to analyze liver microorgan performance. A: Liver microorgan (LMO) disposition in the Normothermic Reoxygenation System (NRS).; B: Cylindrical shaped bio-artificial liver (BAL).; C: “Flat bottom” shaped BAL.; D: Perfusion system components. BC: Biological compartment; Lp: LMO loading port; Ap 1 and 2: Biological compartment access ports; Bsp: Blood sampling port; O₂/CO₂: Carbogen supply; Ox: Silicone oxygenating tube.