Researchers Announce First Implantable Artificial Kidney Prototype
Artificial Kidney Thousands of nano-filters remove toxins from the blood, while a BioCartridge of renal tubule cells mimics the metabolic and water-balance roles of the human kidney. UCSF via ScienceDaily An artificial kidney powered by the circulatory system could be the first implantable device to replace kidney donation and dialysis, scientists say. Led by a University of California-San Francisco scientist, a consortium of about 10 different research teams unveiled a new artificial kidney prototype this week, saying a room-sized version has already shown promise for the sickest patients. Fabrication processes used to make silicon chips could conceivably be used to make coffee-cup-sized devices, which could take thousands of people off dialysis machines or kidney-donor waiting lists. The multi-institutional team, led by UCSF professor Shuvo Roy, formerly of the Cleveland Clinic, is the first to demonstrate technology that could be feasibly downsized into a transplant device. It's a two-stage system involving thousands of...