The case of Cystic Fibrosis sufferer Jon Sacker of Oklahoma highlights the lack of a fully functioning artificial lung to buy time like doctors can do with heart transplant patients.
But Sacker says an experimental machine called the hemolung, that essentially helps provide oxygen and scrub carbon dioxide, took him from death's doorstep to being strong enough for a second double lung transplant.
It's not U.S. approved but as a last resort, doctors at the University of Pittsburgh managed to locate one and wade through the red tape.