Custom machine kept man alive without lungs for 48 hours
Summary
A patient with severe ARDS due to Influenza B and a resistant bacterial infection was treated with a custom artificial lung system after both lungs were removed. The TAL device kept him alive for 48 hours, enabling a successful lung transplant and a return to normal life two years later. The report highlights the extreme technical challenges and the potential for engineered solutions in salvage therapies, while noting significant risks and resource requirements.