22 December 2025

Artificial Organs Improve Patients’ Quality of Life

Agenda

Providing insights into artificial organ technologies, Assist. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Aytaç Durmaz from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Istinye University stated that the advancement of artificial organs will also transform the field of biomedical engineering itself. He emphasized that the discipline is evolving toward a hybrid profession at the intersection of cell biology, tissue engineering, artificial intelligence, and regulatory sciences. Durmaz noted that “Artificial organs can truly be described as a ‘revolution’ only if they are developed within a framework that improves patients’ quality of life, strengthens healthcare systems, and does not deepen social inequalities.”

Advancing technologies continue to contribute significantly to the field of medicine, while patients awaiting organ transplantation increasingly look toward artificial organ developments. According to information shared by Assist. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Aytaç Durmaz, Türkiye has a strong organ transplantation infrastructure: in 2024 alone, 3,468 kidney and 1,731 liver transplants were performed, along with dozens of heart transplants. Nevertheless, approximately 30,000 patients remain on waiting lists, underscoring the growing importance of artificial organ research. Dr. Durmaz reiterated that artificial organs have the potential to create a genuine “revolution” if they are developed in ways that enhance quality of life, reinforce healthcare systems, and prevent the exacerbation of social disparities.

“Clinical Application Is Approaching in Tissue-Intensive Research”

Discussing the current state of artificial organ technologies, Assist. Prof. Dr. Durmaz explained:

“Today, when we refer to ‘artificial organs,’ we are essentially speaking of two main categories: fully mechanical/bionic devices and cell- or tissue-based bioartificial organs. The most advanced field at present involves artificial heart pumps known as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and total artificial hearts. FDA-approved systems have been used for years as a bridge to heart transplantation, while next-generation total artificial heart systems—featuring magnetically levitated rotary components, valveless designs, and reduced complication risks—are currently undergoing clinical trials. Beyond this, bioartificial kidney projects, artificial or assistive liver devices, and tissue-intensive studies involving the cornea, skin, and cartilage have brought clinical applications significantly closer.”

“3,468 Kidney and 1,731 Liver Transplants Performed in 2024”

Addressing the global and national landscape of artificial organ utilization, Durmaz continued:

“Worldwide, millions of patients are already using what can be considered ‘artificial kidneys,’ with dialysis devices representing the most widespread artificial organ technology. In cardiology, thousands of patients are supported by cardiac assist devices, and a limited number receive total artificial hearts, primarily as a bridge to transplantation or as end-stage therapy. Türkiye’s transplantation infrastructure is robust; however, despite the thousands of transplants performed annually, nearly 30,000 individuals remain on waiting lists. In terms of tissues, the use of synthetically produced corneas, auricular cartilage, tracheal segments, and cranial bones has been steadily increasing for many years.”

The Role of 3D Bioprinters in Artificial Organ Production

Highlighting the advantages of 3D bioprinting technologies, Durmaz stated:

“The greatest advantage of 3D bioprinters lies in their ability to place cells with patient-specific geometries into desired three-dimensional architectures with micron-level precision, enabling the reproducible fabrication of complex tissues.”

He also emphasized existing challenges:

“Vascularization remains the most critical technical limitation. Without a well-organized vascular network, cells in thick tissues cannot survive for extended periods, making it difficult to maintain living, functional tissue masses thicker than one centimeter. Additional engineering challenges include printing resolution, production time, cell viability, appropriate bioink formulations, and the mechanical strength of printed tissues. These issues currently represent some of the most intensively researched topics in biomedical engineering.”

“Organ Support and Repair Solutions Will Mature More Rapidly”

Looking ahead to the next decade, Durmaz offered the following perspective:

“Over the next ten years, I expect organ support and organ repair solutions—rather than fully functional artificial organs—to mature more rapidly. There are strong indications that implantable bioartificial kidney projects, advanced renal support devices, and cell- and tissue-assisted liver systems are approaching clinical application. In addition, vascularized cardiac muscle patches and liver tissue-like constructs produced via 3D bioprinting are likely to serve as ‘bridge therapies’ prior to full organ transplantation.”

He also pointed to third-generation biomaterial-based bioscaffold technologies, which promote tissue regeneration rather than merely mimicking tissue structures, as another innovative direction. The domestic start-up BlooCell was cited as one of the leading global examples in this field.

A Transformative Impact on Biomedical Engineering

Durmaz emphasized that the widespread adoption of artificial organs will fundamentally reshape biomedical engineering:

“As artificial organs become more prevalent, biomedical engineering will evolve beyond its traditional role of device design and maintenance into a hybrid profession integrating cell biology, tissue engineering, artificial intelligence, and regulatory sciences. Biomedical engineers will increasingly manage cellular resources, optimize bioreactor processes, and analyze clinical data to determine patient-specific artificial organ configurations. Moreover, they will need to engage with ethics, data security, and health economics, as artificial organs will fundamentally alter healthcare cost structures and accessibility dynamics.”

“We Focus on the Building Blocks of Artificial Organs”

Discussing ongoing research at Istinye University, Durmaz noted:

“In research-oriented biomedical engineering departments such as ours, the primary focus is not on artificial organs themselves, but on the foundational components that enable them—biomaterials, sensor and actuator design, imaging systems, signal processing, and AI-based decision-support systems. Projects at Istinye University include implantable and wearable sensor systems, AI-assisted medical imaging, tissue engineering and biomaterials research, as well as medical IoT and data management initiatives. These efforts constitute key building blocks for future bioartificial organ platforms.”

“Not ‘Magic Solutions’ That Eliminate the Need for Organ Donation”

Concluding his remarks, Durmaz cautioned against unrealistic expectations:

“It is important to emphasize that artificial organs are not ‘magic solutions’ that will completely eliminate organ donation—at least not in the short or medium term. Organ transplantation, organ support devices, and regenerative medicine will continue to progress together. The critical issue moving forward is not only technical feasibility, but also ensuring that these technologies are ethically acceptable, economically sustainable, and accessible to all patients. Only within such a framework can artificial organs truly be described as a ‘revolution.’”