An artificial organ is a man-made device that is implanted or integrated into a human to replace a natural organ, for the purpose of restoring a specific function or a group of related functions so the patient may return to a normal life as soon as possible. In 1537, the Swiss German scientist Paracelsus conceived a method for creating a miniature person who “will look somewhat like a man, but transparent, without a body”. However, his protocol for generating what he dubbed a homunculus was an unsavory blend of alchemy and inter-species breeding. Now scientists are having another attempt at the homunculus concept but this time they are using advanced biomaterials, engineering techniques and physiological insights to coax cells to grow into simplified, but functional, miniature versions of hearts, lungs and other human organs.
Related Journals of Artificial Organs
Artificial Organs: Open Access, Bone Marrow Research, Archives of Surgical Oncology, The International Journal of Artificial Organs, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, The Annals of thoracic surgery, The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.
