Scientists at Boston Children’s Hospital have developed an injection capable of delivering oxygen directly into the bloodstream for patients who cannot breathe, as detailed in Science Translational Medicine. The report notes that patients experiencing an obstructed airway or sudden lung failure need oxygen in their blood urgently to avoid brain damage or cardiac arrest.
The injection consists of gas-filled microparticles that release oxygen directly into the bloodstream. These microparticles have a thin layer of fatty molecules encasing a small pocket of oxygen and are suspended in a liquid solution before being administered to patients.
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Led by John Kheir, the research team found that patients receiving this solution could achieve almost normal blood oxygen levels within seconds. Animal studies demonstrated that the injection kept animals alive without breathing for up to 15 minutes, significantly lowering the risks of organ damage and complete heart failure.
