Bioartificial liver is a medical term that refers to a device that can mimic the functions of the human liver. The word is spelled as /baɪoʊɑːrtɪfɪʃəl ˈlɪvər/. In this spelling, the "bio" part is pronounced as "bahy-oh", whereas the "artificial" part is spelled as "ahr-tuh-fish-uhl". The "liver" part is pronounced as "liv-er". This innovative device could potentially save the lives of patients with liver failure who are awaiting liver transplants or for whom transplants are not an option.
A bioartificial liver, also known as a bioengineered liver or a hybrid liver, is an artificially created device or system designed to replicate or support the functions of a natural liver. It is specifically designed to assist individuals who have severe liver failure or are awaiting liver transplantation.
The bioartificial liver consists of biological components, such as living liver cells or hepatocytes, combined with synthetic materials and advanced technology. It aims to perform crucial functions of the liver, including detoxification, metabolizing drugs and toxins, and synthesizing essential proteins.
A common approach to developing a bioartificial liver involves creating a bioreactor, which is a container that hosts the hepatocytes embedded in a matrix or scaffold. This allows the liver cells to grow, survive, and perform their functions in a controlled environment. Additionally, the bioreactor is often connected to the patient's blood circulation system, allowing the exchange of substances between the cells and the patient's blood.
The ultimate goal of a bioartificial liver is to act as a temporary measure, providing liver support until a suitable donor organ becomes available for transplantation or the patient's own liver recovers. This technology has the potential to bridge the critical gap between liver failure and transplantation, preventing further deterioration of the patient's condition and improving their chances of survival.
While bioartificial liver development still remains a field of ongoing research and experimentation, it holds promise for revolutionizing the treatment of liver failure and reducing the dependency on organ transplantation.
The etymology of the term "Bioartificial Liver" is as follows:
1. Bio: The prefix "bio" is derived from the Greek word "bios", meaning "life". It is commonly used in medical and scientific terminology to refer to living organisms, biological processes, or the study of life.
2. Artificial: The word "artificial" is derived from the Latin word "artificium", meaning "skill" or "craftsmanship". It refers to something that is human-made or created by human skill rather than occurring naturally.
3. Liver: The term "liver" comes from the Old English word "lifer", and its origin can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "liver-" or "libr-". It refers to the large, reddish-brown organ in the human body responsible for detoxification, metabolism, digestion, and various other vital functions.