The Rundown Tech: Abortions in the spotlight now. Can build artificial womb for preemies

Posted on November 9, 2025 by michelleclarke2015
BIOTECH
👶🏼 Startup builds artificial womb for preemies 
Image source: TU/e, Bart van Overbeeke
The Rundown: A Dutch startup is developing an artificial womb, a fluid‑filled incubator that mimics the uterine environment to keep premature babies born between 22 and 24 weeks alive long enough for their lungs and brains to mature.
The details:
The system uses an artificial placenta roughly the size of a human fist that connects to the baby’s umbilical cord, delivering oxygen and nutrients.A double-layered sac, dubbed AquaWomb, is designed to mimic the uterine environment, complete with resistance against kicks to strengthen muscles. Babies born at 22 weeks have only a 10% survival chance with high risks of lung disease and neurological damage, but two weeks later, that jumps to 60%. Its design prioritizes parental bonding with access ports for touch and a “uterus phone” that transmits parents’ voices and heartbeats through the fluid.
Why it matters: The FDA is reportedly reviewing data to consider human trials, while U.S. firm Vitara Biomedical has raised over $125M for similar “biobag” tech. If the approach succeeds, it could rescue more fragile newborns and slash the risk of lasting complications.
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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