The results of an exploratory clinical trial indicate that a wearable artificial kidney could serve as a viable new dialysis technology.
The trial, completed at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, tested the safety and efficacy of the prototype's ability to take over the functions of a failed kidney.
During the study, the device effectively cleared patients' blood of waste products, excess water and salt.
The technology could provide an alternative to conventional hemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease. The prototype holds many advantages to conventional dialysis, including improved mobility during treatment, longer and more frequent treatment sessions and decreased need for strict diet restrictions.
Some technical problems, including excessive formation of carbon dioxide bubbles in the dialysis solution, occurred during the study. Researchers will address these issues through device redesign and refinement before any further long-term studies are conducted.
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