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Hello Wearable Kidney, goodbye Dialysis
Machine
Newswise — Researchers are developing a
Wearable Artificial Kidney for dialysis
patients, reports an upcoming paper in the
Clinical Journal of the American Society of
Nephrology (CJASN).
"Our vision of a technological breakthrough
has materialized in the form of a Wearable
Artificial Kidney, which provides continuous
dialysis 24 hours a day, seven days a week,"
comments Victor Gura, MD (David Geffen
School of Medicine at UCLA).
The device—essentially a miniaturized
dialysis machine, worn as a belt—weighs
about 10 pounds and is powered by two
nine-volt batteries. Because patients don't
need to be hooked up to a full-size dialysis
machine, they are free to walk, work, or
sleep while undergoing continuous, gentle
dialysis that more closely approximates
normal kidney function.
Such a device could lead to a "paradigm
change" in the treatment of dialysis
patients. Despite enduring long hours on
dialysis every week—with major limitations
in activities, diet, and other areas of
life—dialysis patients face high rates of
hospitalization and death.
The U.S. dialysis population currently
exceeds 400,000, with costs of over $30
billion per year.
"We believe that the Wearable Artificial
Kidney will not only reduce the mortality
and misery of dialysis patients, but will
also result in significant reduction in the
cost of providing viable health care," says
Gura.
The Wearable Artificial Kidney is successful
in preliminary tests, including two studies
in dialysis patients. The new study provides
important information on the technical
details that made these promising results
possible.
"However, the long-term effect of this
technology on the well-being of dialysis
patients must be demonstrated in much-needed
clinical trials," adds Gura.
"Although successful, this is but one
additional step on a long road still ahead
of us to bring about a much-needed change in
the lives of this population."
Other authors were Alexandra S. Macy, Masoud
Beizai, and Carlos Ezon (Xcorporeal, Inc);
and Thomas A. Golper, MD (Vanderbilt
University Medical Center). Dr. Gura
receives a salary from Xcorporeal, Inc.
Additionally, significant contributions to
the development of this new device were made
by Hans Dietrich Polaschegg, PhD, Andrew
Davenport, MD, Claudio Ronco MD, Andre
Kaplan, MD, and Eli Friedman, MD.
The study entitled, “Technical Breakthroughs
in the Wearable Artificial Kidney (WAK),”
will appear online at
http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/ .
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
does not offer medical advice. All content
in ASN publications is for informational
purposes only, and is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions,
drug interactions, or adverse effects. This
content should not be used during a medical
emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment
of any medical condition.
Please consult your doctor or other
qualified health care provider if you have
any questions about a medical condition, or
before taking any drug, changing your diet
or commencing or discontinuing any course of
treatment.
Do not ignore or delay obtaining
professional medical advice because of
information accessed through ASN. Call 911
or your doctor for all medical emergencies.
Founded in 1966, ASN is the world’s largest
professional society devoted to the study of
kidney disease. Comprised of 11,000
physicians and scientists, ASN continues to
promote expert patient care, to advance
medical research, and to educate the renal
community.
ASN also informs policymakers about issues
of importance to kidney doctors and their
patients. ASN funds research, and through
its world-renowned meetings and first-class
publications, disseminates information and
educational tools that empower physicians.
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