AWAK Technology moves forward

[LightLizard]

here's some of a newsletter i subscribe to. the company is based in singapore, but has connections to the states and is close to perfecting a peritoneal-based artificial kidney. preliminary testing is going well...

Progression of AWAK's Design

Since the start of development work in July 2007,AWAK has undergone 3
generations of design, achieving the world 1st functional
wearable prototype (peritoneal dialysis) that weighs only 3kg in Jan
2009.Survey conducted at the KDF, Kidney Dialysis Foundation
(Singapore), concluded that weight and aesthetics were the most
important factors influencing the adoption of wearable kidneys.The 20
participants wore the 1st AWAK design for a variety of hours and days
and went about their daily routines during the survey.We continue to
reach out and receive feedback from the nephrology community and
patients on our latest design.

Our team of research nurses are working
with the designers to incorporate the various suggestions to ensure we
have a product that is functional and comfortable for patients.May
2008 September 2008January 2009The patients were categorized into 2
groups to represent low and high transporters. EachTPD session lasted
for 5 hours.Blood and peritoneal dialysate assays were used to
determine the efficiency of various tidal and reserve combinations.
Trial participants' parameters and general well-being were closely
monitored with no unwanted reactions documented.

A clinical study was
conducted from June to December 2008 at the Peritoneal Dialysis Centre
of Singapore General Hospital. The objective of the Tidal Peritoneal
Dialysis (TPD) Study was to determine the optimal tidal and reserve
volume which gives the optimal clearance and ultra-filtration in
TPD. Eight patients were recruited for the study to analyze outcome of
8 different tidal and reserve combinations. Regular meetings with our
dedicated clinical and design team of clinicians, scientists, nurses
and engineers were conducted to analyze the data and results. These
data will be used in the future AWAK design.

Our study provided us with
statistical evidences showing much higher urea and creatinine
clearances compared to current form of peritoneal dialysis.Tidal
Peritoneal Dialysis Study atSingapore General HospitalCOPYRIGHTS (c)
2009 AWAK TECHNOLOGIES PTE LTD..'

To subscribe, please provide contact person and email
toinfo@awaktech.com .This newsletter will be published quarterly. All
subscriptions are free.

 

[paul.karen]

Sounds promising.

[Nobbzee]

This article gives more info on how AWAK is doing and it seems that we can see it available sometime after 2012.

http://nephronline.com/article.asp?IndexID=301

I especially like this paragraph:

The continuous dialysis is also able to reduce the need of hypertensive medications, Epogen and phosphate binders in kidney failure patients. This is now seen in patients on daily hemodialysis. In patients with cardiac problems, it can help improve performance of the heart, AWAK said, and upcoming trials are aimed at performing and proving each of these assertions.

[Hanify]

it will be amazing to see what happens.  Although to me it's one thing to go around with 2l of fluid inside me - I don't want to have to have the thing outside as well!!  I think I'd rather stick to my machine at night.

[sico]

I agree with you Hanify.

[Jie]

The machine is only 2 or 3 lbs, and my pant will be more heavier than it. So it should not be a big deal to wear it, just like a jacket.

[Hanify]

Is this some kind of selling thing?