A breath of 'fresh air'? Oxygen micro-particle lets you live without even breathing

Scientists were able to inject micro-particles filled with oxygen into rabbits' bloodstreams

Rabbits' windpipes were blocked -- but were able to live up to 15 minutes

Once injected particles meet red blood cells -- and 70% of oxygen travels within 4 seconds

Procedure could possibly be altered to keep subjects alive for 30 minutes

Scientists have created an oxygen particle that lets you live -- without even breathing.

In a 2012 study, scientists injected micro-particles filled with oxygen into rabbits' bloodstreams. The particles were lipid-based and encapsulated a small amount of pure oxygen gas.

The rabbits, whose windpipes were blocked, lived up to 15 minutes, From Quarks to Quasars reports.

Scientists were able to inject the particles into rabbits' bloodstreams. Though their windpipes were blocked, the rabbits lived up to 15 minutes

The particles, the site explains, are suspended in the liquid mixture and can't form larger bubbles -- which could possibly kill someone if they reach the heart or the brain.

The particles are also extremely small -- on average ranging between 2 and 4 micrometers in diameter, it adds.



Once injected, they come into contact with red blood cells -- and oxygen transfers extremely quickly.



From Quarks to Quasars notes that once the micro-particles meet blood, 70% of oxygen transfers in just 4 seconds.

The particles are reportedly cheap and easy to make -- and the injection procedure could possibly be altered to allow subjects to live up to 30 minutes without breathing

The micro-particles are also easy and cheap to make, according to John Kheir, a cardiologist who led the study, Nature.com reported in 2012. They can 'self-assemble' when lipids are exposed to sound waves in an oxygen environment.

Kheir also said the technique could possibly be altered to keep subjects alive for 30 minutes. However, there are limits to the program. The website notes that fresh particles would need to be continually infused, and the body has limits to how much extra fluid can be pumped.