Artificial Kidney News

Continuing the focus on artificial kidney development put forth by the current administration’s plan to treat kidney disease, The American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Health Initiative has produced two resources for both patients and innovators.

Researchers and developers at the Center for Dialysis Innovation at the University of Washington in Seattle, one of the winners in the KidneyX competition, are developing the Ambulatory Kidney to Improve Vitality, an external, wearable, miniaturized dialysis system that the developers hope will be “low-cost, water-efficient, requires minimal anticoagulation, offers complication-free blood access and [be] patient-friendly.”

SEATTLE — After training and 4 days of treatments in a dialysis clinic, the first patient involved in clinical trials for a new CVS-funded home hemodialysis machine is expected to begin treatment at home later this week, according to an update at the Innovations in Dialysis: Expediting Advances Symposium here.

SEATTLE — With the theme, “Messages from the past illuminate our path to the future,” Buddy Ratner, PhD, co-director of the Center for Dialysis Innovation at the University of Washington, opened the Innovations in Dialysis: Expediting Advances Symposium here with a focus on exploring new approaches to wearable, portable and implantable dialysis technology.

WASHINGTON — A speaker at the KidneyX Summit addressed three goals of the HHS that could aid in the efforts to transform the kidney care community to better prevent, diagnose and treat kidney disease.

WASHINGTON — KidneyX, a public-private partnership between the HHS and the American Society of Nephrology, was created to “spur the development of prize competitions of transformational products that will improve the lives of patients,” according to a speaker at the KidneyX Summit. One such competition is Redesign Dialysis, whose phase one winners were announced today.

Singapore-based AWAK Technologies recently announced its peritoneal dialysis device was granted breakthrough device designation by the FDA. According to a company press release, the AWAK Peritoneal Dialysis device, also known as AWAK PD, is the world’s first wearable PD device, which allows patients with ESRD to bypass hours of therapy with large machines and undergo dialysis on the go.

AWAK Technologies recently announced the FDA has granted breakthrough device designation to its wearable PD system that incorporates AWAK’s sorbent technology.

A third-generation artificial kidney has the potential to provide unprecedented wearability and convenience, enable freedom from phosphate binders and excessive dietary restrictions and produce a significant cost savings.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Using the Helmeier’s Catechism evaluation, Victor Gura, MD, said “what we are trying to do is replace kidney function and we are doing a terrible job. It costs too much, outcomes are poor, patients suffer, mortality is high ... patients are not happy.”