Nanotechnology Moves One Step Closer to Artificial Kidney
(Sorry about the previous post... here's the actual story)
Recently researchers have developed what they call a Human Nephron Filter (HNF). The HNF is a new technology that puts researchers one step closer to producing an artificial kidney, completely eliminating the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation Using this type of renal replacement therapy, the device would be used to mimic the functions of the kidneys, constanly in operation for the patient's needs.
The HNF operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week. It has a glomerular filtration rate of 30 ml/min, double that of hemodialysis which is administered three times a week. The device consists of two membranes operating in series within one device cartridge, while running on a simple 9-volt battery. The first membrane mimics the glomerulus, while the second mimics the function of the renal tubules. the membranes have 3 dimensional, flexible pores that relectively reabsorb eseential solutes such as sodium, calcium, and bicarbonate as well as water.
The initial prototype (Version 1.1) produced promising results as it was worn by uremic pigs. The urea clearence was 40 ml/min, and within 8 hours 15 g of urean and 1.83g of phosphate were removed form the system. Since the average human needs to remove 16 to 17 grams of urea every 24 hours, these results were "pretty good" according to the doctors.
Overall if in vitro and in vivo confirm that the HNF can completely mimic the role of kidney filtration function, it will hopefully one day improve patients' quality of life and outcomes.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/552804
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?doi=10.1159/000085882
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30109.php
Recently researchers have developed what they call a Human Nephron Filter (HNF). The HNF is a new technology that puts researchers one step closer to producing an artificial kidney, completely eliminating the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation Using this type of renal replacement therapy, the device would be used to mimic the functions of the kidneys, constanly in operation for the patient's needs.
The HNF operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week. It has a glomerular filtration rate of 30 ml/min, double that of hemodialysis which is administered three times a week. The device consists of two membranes operating in series within one device cartridge, while running on a simple 9-volt battery. The first membrane mimics the glomerulus, while the second mimics the function of the renal tubules. the membranes have 3 dimensional, flexible pores that relectively reabsorb eseential solutes such as sodium, calcium, and bicarbonate as well as water.
The initial prototype (Version 1.1) produced promising results as it was worn by uremic pigs. The urea clearence was 40 ml/min, and within 8 hours 15 g of urean and 1.83g of phosphate were removed form the system. Since the average human needs to remove 16 to 17 grams of urea every 24 hours, these results were "pretty good" according to the doctors.
Overall if in vitro and in vivo confirm that the HNF can completely mimic the role of kidney filtration function, it will hopefully one day improve patients' quality of life and outcomes.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/552804
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?doi=10.1159/000085882
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30109.php
posted by Andrew Moorman at 7:40 PM
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