In what heralds hope for all patients in the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), Shuvo Roy, a bioengineering specialist of Indian origin, along with his team of scientists at the University of California in the US, has created the world's first implantable artificial kidney that can imitate almost all its vital functions.
According to Roy, if the device that was successfully tested in animals shows promise in human trials, it would eliminate the need for dialysis and kidney transplantation, the only two available treatment options for all patients with CKD.
"Better over dialysis, even transplants as well. Patients may not require anti-rejection drugs - as is required after transplants because there would be no exposed natural tissues for the immune system to attack," said Dr Alka Bhasin, Nephrologist, Max.
The working of the device
The artificial kidney, which is no bigger than a coffee cup is made up of two parts, comprising a filter and a cellular side.
The filter is formed of thousands of silicone chips with microscopic pores that strain the toxins, sugars, water and salt from the blood. The filtered and clean blood is then sent to the second part of the system.
In this chamber, the blood flows over silicon membranes that are coated with renal cells which perform all the functions of a kidney like absorbing the salt, sugar and water from the blood.
The process also helps regulate blood pressure and produce vitamin D. The waste matter is passed through a tube attached to the bladder and removed as urine.
Roy stated, "Dialysis is not only time-consuming, but it's also debilitating. Many patients don't feel good, because it's not doing all the functions of a normal, healthy kidney.
"The new kidney doesn't just filter toxins. It has metabolic functions and hormonal functions, and dialysis does not capture these abilities."
Expect to reach clinical trials in 5 years
The team is awaiting approval to carry out large scale animal and human studies of the miniaturized implantable device for total renal replacement therapy.
They expect to begin clinical trials in five to seven years.
Roy stated, "Given the shortage of transplant kidneys and associated complications like transmission of infectious agents from donor to patient and ethics, our device might provide some benefits.
Source: University of California
