Artificial Kidney, also known as bioHemodialysis or kidney replacements, are medical devices that are designed to mimic the functions of real kidneys. The kidneys play an essential role in filtering waste from the blood and regulating electrolyte and fluid levels in the body. When the kidneys fail, renal replacement therapy such as dialysis is required. However, dialysis only provides partial kidney function and patients have to endure many limitations in their quality of life. Hemodialysis aim to provide complete kidney function by filtering blood inside the body, avoiding the need for frequent dialysis treatment.
How Hemodialysis Work
Most Hemodialysis designs consist of a bioreactor containing renal cells that can filter blood as it circulates outside the body. The bioreactor is connected to blood vessels so that blood is diverted from the body to the bioreactor, cleaned, and returned. Within the bioreactor, renal cells sit on a porous membrane which acts as a filter. As blood plasma passes through the membrane, waste molecules and toxins stick to the membrane and are absorbed by the renal cells. The cleaned blood is then returned to the patient. In contrast to dialysis, this process would occur continuously inside the body rather than in intermittent sessions.
Progress in Artificial Kidney Development
Over the past decade, researchers have made significant progress in the development of implantable Hemodialysis. Early prototypes used porous tubes and hollow fibers to filter blood but lacked the specialized renal cells needed. More recently, stem cell and tissue engineering approaches have allowed scientists to grow functional Artificial Kidney cells on artificial membranes. Implantable bioreactors containing various renal cell types have been tested successfully in animal models. Some clinical trials have also started testing short-term Hemodialysis treatments in humans. While full Hemodialysis replacement is still years away, temporary use assists in "bridging" patients to kidney transplantation. Continued research is focused on improving cell engraftment, vascularization and ensuring biocompatibility of materials.
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