Abstract

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF ARTIFICIAL WOMB TECHNOLOGY

*Rutuja Mohan Raut, Dr. Neha N. Rajpurohit, Sakshi Sahebrao Ade and Vivek Bandu Mohale

Abstract

An artificial womb is an experimental medical device that is designed to create a womb like environment for neonates who are born extremely premature. Emanuel M. Greenberg filed a patent application for the construction of an artificial womb on July 22, 1954. Two drawings of an artificial womb’s design were included in the patent. The newborn would float in a transparent ―bio bag‖ surrounded by fluid in the majority of the technologies. Artificial womb technology also referred to as Artificial Amnion and Placenta Technology (AAPT) has various possible advantages such as: higher chances of survival Premature babies can survive longer in artificial wombs because they provide a womb-like environment with dimensions and a form similar to the uterus. By doing this, the chance of consequences including blindness and irreversible lung and brain damage can be decreased. Decreased chance of infection and breathing difficulties Premature newborns who are placed in artificial wombs have a lower chance of infection and respiratory distress. A substitute for newborn critical care for premature babies, artificial wombs may be a more suitable option than neonatal intensive care. The use of artificial wombs may enhance maternal health. Less anxiety for the parents who witness their premature child in intensive care may find less distress while using artificial womb. Improved knowledge of fetal development: Artificial wombs may contribute to our growing comprehension of fetal physiology and development. Artificial wombs do, however, raise certain ethical issues, such as the following: the legality of medical interventions; the influence on mother bonding; the degree of parental autonomy in making decisions; accessibility; and cost-effectiveness. According to two research teams in the United States and Australia, artificial womb technology (AWT) has proof of principle established. According to both teams, their "artificial womb devices" will completely change how premature newborns are treated. By growing a fetus outside the body of an organism that would typically carry it to term, an artificial womb, also known as an artificial uterus, is a device that would enable extracorporeal pregnancy. As a substitute organ, an artificial uterus would have a variety of uses. It could help both male and female partners with a fetus' development. This might be carried out as a transition from an artificial to a natural uterus, which would push the embryonic viability barrier to a far earlier point in pregnancy. It can be thought of as a neonatal incubator with fairly broad capabilities in this respect. It might also be applied to start fetal development. Additionally, a prosthetic uterus could facilitate fetal surgery. The world saw the closest thing to an Artificial Womb (AW) in 2017 thanks to research conducted by a team in Philadelphia. If the "bio bag" proves to be as effective as preliminary animal research indicates, it will revolutionize the field of neonatal critical care. Premature newborns born before 22 weeks currently have no chance of survival. The mortality rates and frequencies of long-term problems for preterm at the viability threshold have not shown any discernible improvement for a while. Clinical implementation of Artificial Womb Technology (AWT), which could alter these odds, is highly expected. It is imperative that we ascertain whether AWT represents a novel development or merely an expansion of existing critical care. Determining when and how the bio bag should be used on human subjects is largely dependent on this topic.

Keywords: The use of artificial wombs may enhance maternal health.