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Snapshot 7:Mon, Feb 2, 2026 2:30:18 PM GMT last edited by Vandita

Man Survives 48 Hours Without Lungs Using Artificial System

Man Survives 48 Hours Without Lungs Using Artificial System

Man Survives 48 Hours Without Lungs Using Artificial System
Image credit: Northwestern Medicine via X

The Spin

RemovingThe infectedexternal lungsartificial andlung usingsystem artificialis systemsa asmajor atechnical bridgeachievement tothat transplanttransforms saveshopeless livescases thatinto wouldviable otherwisetreatment be lostpathways. MolecularThis evidencedevice provesmaintains somenormal ARDScardiac patientsfunction havewithout irreversiblelungs, lungsomething damagepreviously andconsidered willvirtually dieimpossible, withoutand transplantation,allows yetcritically youngill patients dieto weeklystabilize becausebefore transplant isn't considered an option. ThisThe breakthroughpatient's demonstratesspectacular thatrecovery acuteand lungexcellent failurequality fromof infectionslife canthree beyears treatedlater withprove transplantationthis whenapproach conventional support failsworks.

TheSurviving externalwithout artificiallungs lungfor systemtwo representsdays ahighlights majorboth technicalingenuity achievementand thatthe transformslimits hopelessof casesmodern intomedicine. viableThough treatmentan pathways.artificial Thislung devicesystem maintainskept normalhim cardiacalive, functionthis withouttechnique lungsis complex, somethingrisky previouslyand consideredcurrently virtuallyavailable impossible,only andat allowselite criticallycenters. illIts patientsrarity toand stabilizeresource beforeintensity transplant.raise Theethical patient'squestions spectacularabout recoverywidespread anduse, excellentcost qualityand ofpatient lifeselection threebefore yearsit laterbecomes provesa thisstandard approach worksoption.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 75% chance that lab-grown complex vital organs will be used successfully in humans before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0