Antony McNamee – PhD candidate, Griffith University
Improving life support by stressing cells
Researchers are improving mechanical life support systems by reducing the damage these systems can have on critically ill patients.
Griffith University researchers investigated how life support systems can also create life-threatening complications.
“We found that that the forces in these machines damages blood structure and function and therefore patient health,” says Antony McNamee.
The project now aims to develop new and more sensitive ways of looking at red blood cells for early detection and prevention of life-threatening complications.
The research outcomes could also provide valuable information for developing clinical surgery equipment and boosting the efficiency of medical treatment.
Written by Antony McNamee and edited by Econnect Communication.