# Life-Saving Artificial Wombs This 'bio-bag' Successfully Incubated Premature Baby Lambs By Ell Smith | Published 2017-05-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artificial-womb References: [bigthink](http://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/scientists-create-artificial-womb-that-could-grow-premature-babies) Scientists just created an artificial womb, which was successful in growing a [premature lamb](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warp-core) for up to four weeks. After the success of the animal trials, researchers are hoping to continue to advance the technology to create an artificial environment in which a [premature human baby](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/worlds-smallest-diaper) could survive. The experiment required lamb fetuses, which are physiological similar to human fetuses, to be prematurely removed from their mother's womb via C-section, and placed in the sealed bio-bags for four to six weeks. All of the lambs developed at a healthy and normal rate. Premature births are the leading cause of deaths among infants in North America, with about 30 000 annually, and a survival rate of only 50%. The sterile and sealed 'bio-bags,' which are filled with water and salts, closely resemble the womb of a human, and could save thousands of lives yearly. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Artificial Womb Technology:** The successful incubation of premature lambs in an artificial womb opens the door for the development of technology to incubate premature human babies and revolutionize neonatal care. - **Bio-mimicry in Medical Technology:** The development of a sealed 'bio-bag' that simulates the environment of a womb has the potential to inspire the creation of other medical technologies that mimic natural biological processes. - **Perinatal Health Innovation:** The artificial womb has the potential to transform perinatal healthcare by decreasing premature births, increasing survival rates, and providing new options for neonatal care. ### Where This Applies - **Medical Devices and Equipment:** The development of an artificial womb and associated equipment provides new opportunities for medical device and equipment companies to create more effective and innovative neonatal care devices. - **Biotechnology:** The creation of an artificial environment in which a premature baby can develop provides an opportunity for biotechnology companies to develop new products that simulate natural biological processes. - **Healthcare Services:** The success of the artificial womb experiment could potentially lead to increased demand for neonatal healthcare services and a focus on advancing perinatal care in the healthcare industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Lab-Grown Reproductive Biology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/testis-organoids.md) - [Humanized Baby Formulas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humanized-baby-formula.md) - [Design-Conscious Baby Incubators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-incubator.md) - [Infant Airway Management Trainers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airway-management-trainer.md) - [Multi-Use Soothing Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-sweat-sheet.md) - [IVF-Supporting Medical Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-devices.md) - [Cultivated Lamb Kebabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivated-lamb.md) - [Self-Replicating Living Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xenobots.md) - [Prenatal Care Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morrama.md)