An artificial lung is a prosthetic device that is implanted into the body to replace biological lungs. It is different from a heart-lung machine in that it is internal and designed to take over the functions of the lungs for long periods of time rather than on a temporary basis. Recent developments include a device that uses small hollow fibers and the heart's own pumping power to oxygenate blood. It may be necessary for a person to receive artificial lungs if theirs become diseased or damaged beyond repair.
Famous quotes containing the words artificial and/or lung:
“A true politeness does not result from any hasty and artificial polishing, it is true, but grows naturally in characters of the right grain and quality, through a long fronting of men and events, and rubbing on good and bad fortune.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Lord, confound this surly sister,
Blight her brow with blotch and blister,
Cramp her larynx, lung and liver,
In her guts a galling give her.”
—J.M. (John Millington)