Artificial Kidney Development Takes Leap Forward

The reality of developing an artificial, implantable “bionic” kidney is one step closer as researchers tackle the obstacle of preventing clotting in circulating blood.  Using a computer simulation, flow patterns and stressors can be analyzed informing design changes that will address blood clotting problems and soon lead to a functional, compact and implantable device.

According to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, an implantable artificial kidney would not only address an ongoing shortage of donor kidneys used for transplants, it would alleviate the need for dialysis for thousands of patients.  An artificial kidney would continuously filter blood, removing toxins and keeping blood chemistry healthy, a much better treatment for patients with kidney disease, reducing illness and improving quality of life.  It is estimated that only 1 in 3 patients who being dialysis will survive longer than five years.

Each year in the United States, more than 660,000 people are affected by kidney failure which contributes to 89,000 deaths annually.  Although 100,000 people are on a waiting list each year for a donor kidney, only 18,000 receive one.  And neither dialysis, which usually consists of three, four-hour appointments weekly to filter toxins from the blood, or transplants that require anti-rejection drugs for the life of the kidney are ideal treatments.  The goal is to develop an implantable artificial kidney that allows patients to resume regular activity, eat and drink freely, and enjoy better overall health.

Testing on two newer implant designs is planned on pigs and studies on early prototypes that use a silicon nanofilter to remove toxins, salts and water from the blood are encouraging. Connected to the patient’s blood supply, the artificial kidney would function using the patient’s own blood pressure and therefore not require another power source. It is estimated that the artificial kidney will replace dialysis in two years.

Nearly a quarter of North Americans over the age of 65 have some form of chronic kidney disease and with a rapidly growing senior population, the numbers of patients waiting for a transplant or receiving dialysis will likely soar over the next 20 year.  To assess your risk for kidney failure, take a risk calculator test by the National Kidney Foundation online here. 

To learn more about The Kidney Project, follow this link to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.