title: Metabolic prosthesis for oxygenation of ischemic tissue.
abstract: This communication discloses new ideas and preliminary results on the development of a metabolic prosthesis for local oxygenation of ischemic tissue under physiologically neutral conditions. We report for the first time selective electrolysis of physiological saline by repetitively pulsed, charge-limited electrolysis for the production of oxygen and suppression of free chlorine. Using 800-microA amplitude current pulses and < 200 micros pulse duration, we demonstrate prompt oxygen production and delayed chlorine production at the surface of a fused 0.85-mm diameter spherical platinum electrode. The data, interpreted in terms of the ionic structure of the electric double layer, suggest a strategy for in situ production of metabolic oxygen via a new class of "smart" prosthetic implants for ischemic disease such as diabetic retinopathy. We also present data indicating that collateral pH drift, if any, can be held constant using a feedback-controlled three-electrode electrolysis system that chooses an anode and cathode pair based on pH data provided by a local sensor.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. greenbaum@ornl.gov
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Greenbaum
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Humayun
authors.forename: Charlene A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Close
authors.forename: Hugh M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Barbara R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007511:Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009915:Orbit; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D010100:Oxygen