SevGU: Apparatus for liquid breathing

2024: Product Announcement

On September 9, 2024, it became known that scientists from Sevastopol State University (SevSU) developed a specialized apparatus for liquid breathing. The technology can be used for accelerated decompression of divers and scuba divers, controlled hypothermia - a rapid decrease in body temperature by 3-4 degrees to slow down metabolic processes, treat lung pathology and cardiopulmonary resuscitation of infants.

Fluid breathing, or gas-fluid ventilation of the lungs, involves pumping into the lungs an uncompressible fluid with a high oxygen content, which enters the blood through the alveoli. This prevents the lungs from collapsing when scuba divers dive to greater depths.

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The device developed at SevSU is a closed-type device. Four liters of liquid are pumped into the lungs, and the fifth is constantly circulating: it passes through the carbon dioxide removal module, is saturated with oxygen and again enters the lungs. Fluid is pumped through a tube that the submariner needs to self-introduce into the airway. To alleviate the unpleasant procedure, a special device is used to automatically administer the anesthetic through a small block applied to the neck.

The developers say that in the process of diving to a greater depth - over 1000 meters - the liquid will be recycled and oxygenated. This will allow you to be deep underwater without causing harm to health. In this case, it is necessary to accustom the body to unusual breathing in advance. In ordinary life, the average person performs 21-22 respiratory cycles per minute, but with fluid-filled lungs, the diaphragm may not withstand and tear from too frequent breaths and exhalations at constant solution pressure. Therefore, to use the new device, submariners will be previously trained to slow down breathing to the optimal four cycles per minute.^[1]

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