The main issues with current treatment options of ACLF are the time needed to implement the solution in a patient (long wait-times for transplants), biocompatibility with the patient (liver transplant rejections), and being able to preserve the liver’s original function (failure of ELS devices to reduce short-term mortality rates). Thus, our three design criterias are:
1. Biocompatibility
- Limit the body’s immune response (Foreign Body Reaction)
- Size, shape, surface area, topography, and chemistry to be considered
- Biodegradability, absorption into the body
2. Preserving Liver Function
- Mimic hepatocytes’ filtering abilities
- Fibrotic connective tissue inhibits hepatocytes
3. Time Constraint
- Liver transplant waiting period is not feasible
- One month to prevent sequential organ failure