Wearable Kidney May Help Replace Dialysis

                A wearable artificial kidney may be a viable dialysis technology that can give people with end-stage kidney disease the freedom to move around during treatment, according to the results of a new clinical trial. The technology may become an alternative to conventional hemodialysis for people with end-stage kidney disease. Present-day treatment generally requires three sessions a week on a stationary machine that restricts patients’ ability to walk around while it is attached and running.

                In contrast, a wearable device would allow patients to be mobile and untethered. It could also provide additional benefits from longer sessions or more frequent days of dialysis. The clinical trial of a prototype for such a device was performed with seven patients at University of Washington Medical Centre in the US. The patients were treated with the device for up to 24 hours. The US Food and Drug Administration authorized trial was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of the device. The device effectively cleared the blood of waste products, like urea, creatinine and phosphorous, while also removing excess water and salt.