The development of artificial blood has been on the scientists’ minds well
before the trial of milk as a blood substitute in 1800’s. The better understanding
of blood and anatomy has helped the advancement of artificial blood research
but there are still hurdles to overcome. Possible future directions for
the hemoglobin-based artificial blood are to encapsulate the hemoglobin
to mimic their natural environment in red blood cell, or to attach polyethylene
glycol (PEG) to increase their molecular size and prevent them from entering
interstitial space of the vessel walls which may cause hemodynamic response.
Consequently, the current artificial blood technology will be limited to
short-term blood replacement applications. In the future, it is anticipated
that new materials to carry oxygen in the body will be found. Additionally,
longer lasting products should be developed, as well as products that perform
the other functions of blood.
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