Portable, Wearable, and Implantable Artificial Kidneys

The need to continuously regenerate dialysate is a challenge for all portable, wearable, and implantable kidney replacement therapy options. Sorbent technology is one approach. New membrane materials can remove more uremic toxins than current ones. Combining these membranes with living kidney cells has potential as well.

Read the abstract » | (added 2023-06-14)

Tags: Dialysate, Portable, Wearable, Implantable Kidney, Kidney Replacement Therapy

Is the Future Near? Portable Dialysis and Implantable Devices

Portable and wearable PD and HD devices are in development that have the potential to improve patient mobility and autonomy, and perhaps increase technique survival. Bioartificial kidneys that may partly replace some of the endocrine functions of kidneys are on a longer development horizon, followed by miniaturized, implantable devices. Multiple challenges must be overcome for any of these options to become available.

Read the abstract » | (added 2018-05-11)

Tags: Bioartificial Kidney, Implantable Artificial Kidney, Renal Replacement Therapy, Wearable Artificial Kidney

Update on Implantable and Bioengineered Kidneys

A new review focuses on two implantable innovations that may reduce the need for dialysis. An artificial kidney is a biohybrid system that will mimic renal structure and function. A bioengineered kidney will be based on native kidneys.

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-03-10)

Tags: Hemodialysis

Implantable microdialysis without dialysate fluid – in rats

What if we could implant an artificial kidney that did not require dialysate fluid? Researchers have developed a microdialysis system using microfluidic channels and nanoporous membranes, and tested it in rats with kidney failure. Filtrate was successfully collected with no blood leaks in the system, and the levels of creatinine in their blood was significantly reduced.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-07-08)

Tags: Dialysis

Wearable and implantable artificial kidneys

Thrice weekly in-center HD for 4 hours or less is a paradigm that must change to improve patient outcomes. But longer and/or more frequent treatments are not practically available to the total dialysis population. Thus, radical new approaches are needed—like wearable devices or implantable ones.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-08-22)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Wearable and implantable kidney devices

The current standard in-center paradigm needs to change, say the authors of this review. Radically new approaches are needed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Two such approaches on the horizon are wearable and implantable devices.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-02-27)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Implantable artificial kidney—progress

Three key bits of technology are needed to make an implantable artificial kidney possible: high efficiency membranes to remove water, a way to keep blood from clotting, and a way to mimic the selective action of kidney cells for removing wastes. Progress is occurring in each area.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-10-27)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Access-challenged people on HD have a new HeRO

Running out of vascular access sites is no laughing matter. A new fully-implantable dialysis catheter helps solve the infection risk that occurs when a catheter goes through the skin and into a central vein. In a new study of 36 people, the Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) had infection rates similar to grafts.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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