Modified hemoglobin and its use as a component of an artificial blood substitute

摘要

The present invention provides a chemically modified form of hemoglobin that is stabilized and can efficiently bind and release oxygen. In addition the chemically modified hemoglobin may be polymerized to increase its molecular weight and increase its stability so that it will have a longer half life in the circulatory system and may be used as a stable oxygen transport mediator which is useful as the basis of a blood substitute.