Clinical Applications

 ARDS is a rapidly progressing, severe lung disease commonly encountered in intensive care units (ICU) which makes breathing difficult or impossible. It can be caused by many different triggers, including sepsis, pneumonia, and trauma. It is characterized by widespread injury of the alveolar–capillary membrane, resulting in protein rich noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) and acute respiratory failure (ARF). ARDS results in severe hypoxemia, which is refractory to oxygen treatment and requires assisted ventilation.

• There is no direct cure for ARDS 
• 40% mortality contributes to the death of 80,000 patients in the US every year, more than AIDS and breast cancer combined 
• Current treatment options are highly invasive and come with significant risk 

Respirogen OMB technology will provide systemic oxygen independent from the damaged lungs, reducing ventilator dependency and the need for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

Multiple additional research opportunities have been identified for development of OMB therapies: 

• Expanded lung compromise indications including smoke/chemical inhalation, pediatric respiratory distress and surfactant therapy, and extension of safe apnea during intubation 
• Field oxygenation for emergency medical transport including battlefield injuries 
• Reducing local hypoxia in tumor tissue to prevent vascularization which leads to tumor growth 
• Consumer products including over the counter cosmetics and wound healing