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:
“Merely external emancipation has made of the modern woman an artificial being.... Now, woman is confronted with the necessity of emancipating herself from emancipation, if she really desires to be free.”
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
“Dylan used to sound like a lung cancer victim singing Woody Guthrie. Now he sounds like a Rolling Stone singing Immanuel Kant.”
—Also quoted in Robert Shelton, No Direction Home, ch. 2, “Prophet Without Honor” (1986)