Cited by 167Nanotechnology research and applicationsNanoparticle-Based Drug DeliveryMolecular Communication and Nanonetworks

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 14 of the 15 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 1 of the 24 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Exploratory design in medical nanotechnology: a mechanical artificial red cell.

Open access
Frcitas, Robert A.·1998·Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Biotechnology

Abstract

Molecular manufacturing promises precise control of matter at the atomic and molecular level, allowing the construction of micron-scale machines comprised of nanometer-scale components. Medical nanomachines will be among the earliest applications. The artificial red blood cell or "respirocyte" proposed here is a bloodborne spherical 1-micron diamondoid 1000-atm pressure vessel with active pumping powered by endogenous serum glucose, able to deliver 236 times more oxygen to the tissues per unit volume than natural red cells and to manage carbonic acidity. An onboard nanocomputer and numerous chemical and pressure sensors enable complex device behaviors remotely reprogrammable by the physician via externally applied acoustic signals.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper presents an exploratory design for a spherical 1-micron diamondoid artificial red cell (“respirocyte”) with active molecular sorting rotors, onboard nanocomputer, sensors, and glucose-powered pumping. It claims the baseline device could deliver 236 times more oxygen to tissues per unit volume than natural red cells and carry CO2 mechanically rather than chemically.

Key findings

  • The baseline respirocyte is a 1-micron spherical diamondoid pressure vessel with 18 billion structural atoms plus 9 billion temporarily resident molecules when fully loaded, 12 equatorial pumping stations, and at least tenfold redundancy in all components except the pressure tanks.
  • Each respirocyte stores 1.51 × 10^9 O2 molecules, 100% accessible to tissues; full duplication of human blood active capacity requires 5.36 × 10^12 devices, corresponding to a standard ~5.61 cm3 therapeutic dose of 50% aqueous colloidal suspension.
  • The device is claimed to deliver 236 times more oxygen per unit volume than natural red cells and can supply all respiratory gas requirements from onboard storage for nearly 2 minutes for non-breathing patients; an augmentation dose of 9.54 × 10^14 respirocytes could provide 12 minutes at peak exertion and 3.8 hours at rest.
  • Onboard power comes from endogenous serum glucose; the design includes a ~10^4 bit/sec computer, 500 kilobits of memory, acoustic remote reprogramming, and mechanical CO2 transport that largely eliminates the need to manage carbonic acidity.

Methods

  • Exploratory engineering design paper: proposes and sizes a specific medical nanodevice using molecular manufacturing assumptions and Drexler nanosystems estimates.
  • Design calculations use Van der Waals gas storage, Stokes settling, rotor scaling, component volume/mass allocations, and respiratory physiology estimates; baseline assumptions include 1-micron diameter, 1000 atm peak O2 tank pressure, and 50% engine efficiency.
  • No experimental data, prototype, or clinical testing are reported; safety and biocompatibility issues are said to be considered elsewhere [18].

Limitations

  • The paper states the device cannot be built today, the design is preliminary/exploratory, glucose engine design is a critical research issue, and safety/biocompatibility are considered elsewhere.
  • The text makes evident that performance figures depend on assumed future nanomechanical components and conservative design choices, with no in vivo validation.
  • The paper also notes that diamond coating biocompatibility has not been extensively investigated, and potential immune, filtration, shear, and erythropoiesis issues are addressed only briefly.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3109/10731199809117682

Cites

14 of 14 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

44 Own interpretation · 40 No basis given · 11 No full text of the sources · 10 Not checked yet · 4 Sources not found · 1 Supported · 1 Own method · 1 Own result

Verify all 8 references — free account

Show all 46 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 34
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 46
66 of 66
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The biochemistry of respiratory gas transport in the blood is well understood.

    “The biochemistry of respiratory gas transport in the blood is well understood.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No one has yet attempted a detailed exploratory design aimed at a targeted result.

    “but no one has yet attempted a detailed exploratory design aimed at a targeted result.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Natural red blood cells store oxygen at an equivalent 0.51 atm pressure, of which only 0.13 atm is deliverable to tissues.

    “(By comparison, natural red blood cells store oxygen at an equivalent 0.51 atm pressure, of which only 0.13 atm is deliverable to tissues.)”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Natural erythrocytes appear unhandicapped by their faster settling rate.

    “Natural erythrocytes appear unhandicapped by their faster settling rate”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Natural cellular metabolic pathways using glycolysis and TCA cycles achieve only 68% efficiency.

    “since natural cellular metabolic pathways using the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycles achieve only 68% efficiency”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Human capillaries average 8 microns in diameter but may be as small as 3.7 microns.

    “They cannot be larger than human capillaries, which average 8 microns in diameter but may be as small as 3.7 microns”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Natural red blood cells (7.82 micron x 2.58 micron biconcave disks) must fold in half to pass through capillaries single-file.

    “so narrow that natural red blood cells (7.82 micron x 2.58 micron biconcave disks) must fold in half to pass, single-file.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Individual red cells (1100 kg/m3) and blood plasma (1025 kg/m3 at 310 K) differ in density, causing red cells to settle out of suspension at 4-10 mm/hour depending on hematocrit and RBC aggregation.

    “By comparison, even the small difference in density between individual red cells (1 100 kg/m3) and blood plasma (1025 kg/m3 at 3 10 OK) causes red cells to settle out of suspension at a much faster 4-10 mm/hour depending on hematocrit (the volumetric % of blood occupied by red cells, typically 45% in humans) and degree of RI3C aggregation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The average male human body has 3 x 10^13 red blood cells, each containing 2.7 x 10^8 hemoglobin molecules binding four O2 molecules per hemoglobin, giving a total human blood storage capacity of 3.24 x 10^22 O2 molecules.

    “The average male human body has 3 x 1013 red blood cells, each containing 2.7 x 108 hemoglobin molecules binding four 0 2 molecules per hemoglobin, giving a total human blood storage capacity of 3.24 x 1G2 0 2 molecules.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Hemoglobin normally operates between 95% saturation (arterial) and 70% saturation (venous), so only 25% of stored O2 is accessible to the tissues.

    “Since hemoglobin normally operates between 95% saturation (arterial) and 70% saturation (venous), only 25% of stored 0 2 is accessible to the tissues”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Body blood circuit time is ~60 sec under resting conditions.

    “Body blood circuit time is -60 sec under resting conditions”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Respirocytes can establish higher osmotic gradients than natural red blood cells.

    “since respirocytes can establish higher osmotic gradients than natural red blood cells”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The human male hematocrit has a normal range of 40%-52%, average 46%.

    “The human male hematocrit has a normal range of 40%-52%, average 46%.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Andean natives in high-altitude regions of Peru and Bolivia have adapted to thin air with hematocrits as high as 60%.

    “Andean natives in high-altitude regions of Peru and Bolivia have adapted to thin air with hematocrits as high as 60%.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Polycythemia patients present hematocrits of 75%-85%, leading to disturbances in blood flow as blood viscosity increases with rising hematocrit.

    “Polycythemia patients present hematocrits of 75%-85%.leading to disturbances in blood flow as blood viscosity increases with rising hematocrit.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Normal hematocrits rarely exceed ~52%.

    “as normal hematocrits rarely exceed -52%.”
16 of 16

Claims other papers make about this one

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Citations

Cites

Show all 15 references

Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Fahy GM, 1991, Mt Sinai J Med, 58, 328
  2. Lampton C, 1995, Genetic Eng News, 4, 23
  3. Merkle RC, 1996, Advances in Anti-Aging Medicine, 1, 277
  4. Drexler KE, 1986, Engines of Creation:The Coming Era of Nanotechnology
  5. Merkle RC, 1994, Cryonics, 16
  6. Fahy GM, 1992, Nanotechnology:Research and Perspectives, 251
  7. Nunn JF, 1993, Nunn's Applied Respiratory Physiology4th Edition
  8. Hardy JD, 1982, Therapeutic Heat and ColdThird Edition., 172
  9. Freitas RA, 1998, Nanomedicine

Cited by

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Metadata

Authors
Frcitas, R. A.
Corresponding author
Frcitas, Robert A.
Venue
Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Biotechnology
Published
1998-01
Volume
26
Issue
4
Pages
411-430
ISSN
  • 1055-7172 (ISSN-L)
  • 1073-1199
  • 1532-4184
OpenAlex
W2101322365
Cited by
167
References
15
Citations by year
2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 11
FWCI
1.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Artificial Cells Blood Substitutes and Biotechnology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › General Materials Science › Nanotechnology research and applications
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks
Keywords
molecular manufacturing, oxygen delivery, nanocomputers, blood substitutes
MeSH terms
Biocompatible Materials, Blood Substitutes, Humans, Male, Models, Theoretical, Oxygen, Medical Laboratory Science

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