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95 points mustaphah | 3 comments | | HN request time: 0.435s | source
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vlovich123 ◴[] No.45663673[source]
Could this completely obviate tracheotomies and ventilators?
replies(1): >>45666759 #
1. f4uCL9dNSnQm ◴[] No.45666759[source]
No, the total surface of intestine is up to 40m^2, while the single lung has 100 m^2 for exchange. It might be a supplementary method at best.
replies(2): >>45670266 #>>45670911 #
2. Qem ◴[] No.45670266[source]
That lung 2×100m^2 are enough for sustaining energy intensive human aerobic activities, like running a marathon. Perhaps 40m^2 is all is needed to sustain someone in low energy mode, bedridden.
3. samus ◴[] No.45670911[source]
Even a compromised lung is capable of fully oxygenating blood for everyday situations. One just has to compensate by breathing faster, or cycling that liquid more frequently.