1. Katie Brown Bme 281 11/27/2012 Liver Dialysis: Molecular Adsorbents Recirculation System

2. Problem Being Solved Liver Failure is caused by:  Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Long term alcohol consumption, Cirrhosis, Hemochromatosis, Malnutrition, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose, reactions to certain prescription and herbal medications, Ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms 2000 people die each year while waiting for a liver transplant

3. History of Liver Transplants 1728-John hunter, a Scottish surgeon, performed animal transplants and tooth transplants 1890-Matheui Jaboulay discovers vascular anastomosis with everting sutures 1901- Alexis Carrol implemented animal organ transplant using a triangulating vessel technique

4. History (cont) 1963-Tom Starzl performed the first liver transplantation 1970’s-Starzl and other surgeons 100 executed transplantations with 30% success 1996-Stanford split liver transplant 2004- Germany has developed MARS – Molecular Absorbent Recirculating System

5. Liver Has many functions making it one of the most important organs in the body  processes digested food from the intestine controlling levels of fats, amino acids and glucose in the blood  combating infections in the body clearing the blood of particles and infections  manufacturing bile  stores iron, vitamins and other essential chemicals  makes enzymes and proteins

6. Current State: Molecular Adsorbents Recirculation System, or MARS The closest we are to a “artificial liver” Cannot replace a liver, but is a bridge between liver failure and transplant How it works  Transports a patient's blood to a filter  Mixed with a sticky protein called albumin.  Toxins in the blood attach to the albumin molecules, which then carry the poisons out of the blood

8. Limitations Is not permanent – do not replace liver Only last for a short period of time In hospital May have complications-infections Cost for a seven hour treatment € 300 for 600 ml human serum albumin solution (20%), € 1740 for a MARS treatment kit and € 125 disposables used by the dialysis machine have to be spent

9. Future More like a liver Lower Cost Longer lasting Portable “artificial liver”

10. Works Cited Busuttil RW, Goss JA. Split liver transplantation. Ann Surg. 1999;229:313–321. Khuroo MS, Farahat KL. Molecular adsorbent recirculating system for acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure: a meta-analysis. Liver Transpl 2004; 10: 1099-1106. Johnson, Kimball. "Liver Failure." Web MD. Web MD, 11 2012. Web. 20 Nov 2012. Cohen, Jamie. "New Artificial Liver Shows Promise." ABC News. ABC News, 17 2012. Web. 20 Nov 2012. "Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System." Therapies. Gambro, 2011. Web. 20 Nov 2012. "A Brief Summary of the Liver's Functions." Fighting Liver Disease. British Liver Trust, 2011. Web. 20 Nov 2012. "Liver Dialysis Unit." Fighting Liver Disease. Hepatitis Central, n.d. Web. 20 Nov 2012.