Ryuichi Ukita

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This study looked at a new model to better understand how blood flows through a portable life-support system that helps patients breathe. Researchers found that the highest blood flow they could achieve with this system was 3.76 liters per minute using a specific setup, but there was some error in their predictions, ranging from 11% to 26%. This is important because improving the design of these systems can help make them lighter and safer for patients who need long-term respiratory support. Who this helps: This helps patients who require portable life support devices, as well as the doctors who care for them.

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This study explored the use of special coatings made from zwitterionic polymers on blood-contacting medical devices, aiming to reduce the build-up of proteins that can cause blood clots and device failures. The researchers found that these coatings significantly decreased protein attachment and platelet sticking, showing reductions in thrombus formation for up to a few days on medical devices. This is important because it may lead to safer medical devices that function better without increasing the risk of bleeding in patients. Who this helps: This helps patients using blood-bearing medical devices, as well as the doctors and healthcare providers involved in their care.

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This study focused on improving artificial lungs to prevent blood clots from forming on their surfaces, which is a significant risk for patients using these devices. Researchers applied a special coating made of zwitterionic polymers to the fibers in the lungs and found that this coating reduced protein buildup by a notable amount, showing promise for safer use of artificial lungs. This is important because it could lower the chances of serious complications like bleeding, which can occur when blood thinners are used to combat clots. Who this helps: Patients relying on artificial lungs for breathing support.

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Researchers studied a new system for preserving donated livers that come from patients whose hearts have stopped, known as Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD). They found that using their Dynamic Organ Storage System (DOSS) instead of traditional methods led to better liver function results, including lower levels of lactate and higher bile production, which indicates improved health of the liver. This is important because it can make liver transplants safer and more successful, potentially increasing the number of usable organs for patients in need. Who this helps: This helps patients awaiting liver transplants.

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This study looked at how storing pig livers at 10 degrees Celsius instead of ice affects their health after being donated from animals that had died. The researchers found that livers stored at 10 degrees showed improvements like better blood flow and higher bile production, with fewer signs of damage compared to those stored on ice. These results matter because they indicate that this storage method could help preserve organ quality for transplants. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients needing liver transplants.

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This study focused on developing a low-cost, programmable blood pump console for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which is a life-saving treatment for patients with severe heart and lung problems. The new console can be built for under $200 and operates at essential levels of flow and pressure, exceeding typical clinical standards. This matters because it opens up possibilities for researchers to customize and innovate in ECMO technology, making advancements more accessible and fostering improvements in patient care. Who this helps: This benefits researchers, engineers, and ultimately patients needing advanced ECMO support.

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This study looked at a method to improve discarded human lungs to make them usable for transplantation by connecting them to the blood circulation of pigs. The researchers found that after the lungs were treated in this way, they showed no signs of a severe immune reaction known as hyperacute rejection when they were later connected back to human blood. This is significant because it means this technique could help recover more donor lungs for transplantation, potentially saving more lives. Who this helps: This helps patients in need of lung transplants.

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Researchers developed a sheep model to study pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure, which are serious conditions that can be deadly and have few treatment options. They induced this condition by applying pressure to the pulmonary arteries over nine weeks, leading to significant increases in heart pressure—reaching 44 mmHg for mean pressure and 93 mmHg for systolic pressure by the end of the study. This model allows for better understanding of the disease and testing new treatments, which is crucial for improving care for patients with these heart problems. Who this helps: This benefits patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension and their doctors.

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This study looked at a new type of wearable device designed to help animals with right heart failure caused by high blood pressure in the lungs. Researchers tested this device on 6 sheep and found that, after 7 days of use, three of the sheep survived and the device provided a blood flow of 2.8 liters per minute, which is close to the normal blood flow of 3.5 liters per minute. This is significant because it shows that this mechanical support can help maintain vital body functions and allows animals to move around while receiving support, paving the way for similar technology to help patients with heart failure. Who this helps: This helps patients with right heart failure and their doctors by offering potential new treatment options.

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This study looked at how different setups for a heart-support device affect sheep with right ventricular failure caused by pulmonary hypertension. The researchers found that the right atrium-to-left atrium (RA-LA) configuration was the most effective, achieving a blood flow of 3 liters per minute and improving heart function without needing extra medications. These findings are important because they could lead to better treatment options for patients suffering from severe pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Who this helps: This helps patients with pulmonary hypertension and their doctors.

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The research studied how a new method of constricting the pulmonary artery in sheep can mimic a liver disease known as congestive hepatopathy, which affects certain patients after heart surgery. The experiment showed that after about 9 weeks with this method, 4 out of 9 sheep developed significant liver injury, with some having severe liver damage and scarring. This is important because it creates a more accurate model to understand the disease and test new treatments for patients suffering from similar conditions. Who this helps: This helps patients with congestive hepatopathy, particularly those who have undergone Fontan heart surgery.

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This study looked at a new method called xenogeneic cross-circulation to support human livers that couldn't be used for transplantation. Researchers tested this method on 5 human livers, and found that after 24 hours, oxygen usage in the livers increased by 75%, and the livers cleared lactic acid, indicating improved function. The livers showed better overall health, repair of injury, and maintained their structure, which could help make more marginal livers suitable for transplantation in the future. Who this helps: This helps patients needing liver transplants and doctors involved in transplantation.

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This study looked at a system that connects pig blood to donated human lungs to help keep them healthy for transplant. Researchers found that even though pig immune cells entered the human lungs during this process, the lungs were still able to stay viable and function better for up to 24 hours. This matters because it could improve the availability of donor lungs for patients who need transplants. Who this helps: This helps patients waiting for lung transplants.

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This study looked at a new technique called xenogeneic cross-circulation, which uses pigs to support and improve human donor lungs that weren’t initially suitable for transplant. After 24 hours of using this technique on nine lungs, researchers found that lung function improved significantly; oxygen exchange increased by 158% and lung compliance went up by 127%. This method is important because it could help make more donor lungs available for patients in need of transplants by ensuring they remain healthy and functional before surgery. Who this helps: This benefits patients waiting for lung transplants.

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Researchers studied a technique to collect more blood from pigs while minimizing changes in their health during the process. They found that by using a method called acute normovolemic hemodilution, they could collect about 47 mL of blood for every kilogram of the pig's body weight, which amounts to roughly 73% of the pig's total blood volume. This approach is important because it improves blood collection for organ preservation studies without harming the animals significantly. Who this helps: This benefits researchers studying organ preservation techniques.

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Researchers studied a sheep model of pulmonary hypertension to understand how right ventricular failure progresses. They found that after 10 weeks, the sheep showed severe signs of heart failure, including swollen fluids in the body and a significant increase in heart pressure, leading to the animal's death. This research is important because it helps create better treatments and devices for patients suffering from heart failure related to pulmonary hypertension. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients with pulmonary hypertension and related heart conditions.

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This study tested a new method called V-AV cross-circulation to support livers outside the body in pigs. Over 12 hours, the livers showed good function and no major injury, meaning they were able to produce bile and clear waste effectively. These findings are important because they could lead to better ways to preserve and evaluate liver organs for transplantation, addressing the shortage of available organs. Who this helps: This helps patients waiting for liver transplants.

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This study looked at how a new combination of a special coating (polycarboxybetaine) and a drug that targets a specific part of blood clotting (Factor XII inhibitor) affects blood clot formation during a treatment called extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The researchers found that using this combination resulted in only 4% of the blood clot weight compared to standard heparin treatment, and bleeding times were normal at 2.4 minutes, while those using heparin had longer bleeding times of 4.8 to 5.1 minutes. This is important because it means patients could be less likely to experience harmful bleeding while still preventing dangerous clotting during these procedures. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing ECLS treatment by reducing the risk of clotting and bleeding complications.

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This study looked at how to choose the right disposable parts for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) machines to save money. Over five years, the costs for different device combinations were analyzed, measuring from around $1.25 million to about $6.64 million, depending on the devices used. This information is important because hospitals can use it to make more cost-effective decisions that save money while providing critical care. Who this helps: Hospitals and medical teams involved in ECLS care.

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This study developed a model using sheep to better understand how pulmonary hypertension leads to right heart failure. The researchers found that over nine weeks, the pressure in the right ventricle of the sheep significantly increased, indicating heart strain, with average pressures rising from 28 to 44 mmHg. This work is important because it helps develop new treatments for pulmonary hypertension and assess how the heart adapts to increased pressure. Who this helps: This benefits patients with pulmonary hypertension and doctors working on new treatment options.

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This study focused on creating a better model for studying pulmonary hypertension and related heart issues in sheep by blocking off the left pulmonary artery and gradually tightening the main pulmonary artery. The researchers found that this method effectively induced pulmonary hypertension and right heart changes in a controlled way, reducing the risk of sudden deaths during the process. This matters because it allows for safer testing of heart support devices that could one day help patients with severe lung and heart conditions. Who this helps: Patients with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.

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Researchers studied a new type of medical device called a bicaval dual-lumen cannula used for a treatment called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which helps patients with severe breathing problems. The study looked at 20 patients and found that after using this device, 55% were able to stop using mechanical ventilation, and 90% survived to have the device removed, with an 80% survival rate to hospital discharge. This matters because it shows that this device can effectively support breathing and help patients recover more quickly while reducing the risks associated with traditional methods. Who this helps: This benefits patients with severe respiratory failure and the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at a new way to design microchannel artificial lungs, which are devices that help people breathe. Researchers tested a model that predicts how well these lungs transfer oxygen and found it to be quite accurate, making just a small error of -1.13%. They created a general model that suggests how to make these devices smaller and more efficient, which is important for providing effective long-term respiratory support. Who this helps: This benefits patients needing respiratory support and the doctors who care for them.

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This study looked at how the popliteal artery, located behind the knee, bends and how this bending can affect procedures to treat blockages in the artery. Researchers found a specific bending point that could lead to stent fractures during treatment and created a new classification to help guide these procedures better. It’s important to consider patients' cultural practices, such as how people in Japan often sit, because these habits may influence the effectiveness of treatments for the popliteal artery. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients, especially those from cultures with specific sitting postures.

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Most donated lungs are never used because injury makes them too risky for transplant. Researchers connected damaged human lungs to a living pig's circulation as an extended support system and showed the lungs could recover function over multiple days. This xenogeneic cross-circulation approach could dramatically increase the number of usable donor lungs.

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This study looked at a new type of artificial lung made from special fibers that produce nitric oxide (NO) to help prevent blood clots, compared to standard lung materials. Over 72 hours, the new fibers showed significantly less clotting, with resistance increasing to 72 mmHg/min compared to 35 mmHg/min for the standard fibers, indicating better performance. This is important because less clotting could mean fewer complications and longer-lasting artificial lungs, making them more effective for patients needing long-term support. Who this helps: This helps patients requiring respiratory support and doctors managing their care.

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This study looked at different ways to coat artificial lungs to prevent blood clots that can cause the devices to fail. Researchers tested three types of poly-carboxybetaine (pCB) coatings on artificial lungs in sheep and rabbits. They found that one coating method, DOPA-pCB, reduced blood clot formation by 59% and led to better device performance over time. Who this helps: This benefits patients with chronic lung diseases who rely on artificial lungs for respiratory support.

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Researchers developed a specialized device called a flat-field grating spectrometer to study x-rays emitted from materials. They found that this device could clearly detect x-rays from elements like copper, indium, gallium, and selenium in a specific energy range, revealing detailed emission patterns with sharp distinctions between the elements. This advancement is important because it can improve the analysis of materials used in solar cells, potentially leading to better technology and efficiency. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and manufacturers in the solar cell industry.