Artificial kidneys

[jambo101]

 Was sitting in dialysis chair on Wednesday and tapping the artificial kidney my blood was going into on the Fresnius machine I asked the nurse when an artificial kidney will be manufactured and available for general implant, she said not for a while and that they wont be manufactured but rather grown in the perverbial test tube. Any one have any idea how far off this technology is?
Thanks

[Michael Murphy]

Just looked at UCSF (University  0f California San Francisco) ariificial kidney web site and they are posting that some time in 2021 they will be done clinical trials.

[jambo101]

 I wonder if the criteria to get one will be as estensive as transplant qualifications are now.

[rcjordan]

I think home machine users will see recycled dialysate first.  That will at least cut down on the massive weight, handling, & storage issue.

http://awak.com/product/

[Alexysis]

That AWAK site is really short on specifics. Makes me wonder if it's truly legitimate.

As for an implanted artificial kidney, I'd be happy with something that would just reduce the time needed for dialysis to only once a week or so.

[rcjordan]

>legitimate

I had the same concerns. Apparently, they are legit

FDA grants breakthrough designation for AWAK’s Peritoneal Dialysis device | MobiHealthNews
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/fda-grants-breakthrough-designation-awak%E2%80%99s-peritoneal-dialysis-device

[rcjordan]

<added>

As for HD, the Dutch Kidney Foundation started working with AWAK back in 2014.  Take a look at this cycler. The dialysate recycler is that little canister on the right.

Portable Artificial Kidney by Dutch Kidney Foundation on Vimeo
https://vimeo.com/307707561

[Marilee]

Just wanted to post a link to the Artificial Kidney Facebook page... They provide updates from time to time there.
https://www.facebook.com/ArtificialKidney/?eid=ARAno5sQgRY7MRIz-fNS-xgPueCN5bwVSoTfl6IEkvU7G6yF_9373O9NR8l7M7vGHes48K3LX-FRPakC

[Riki]

Just looked at UCSF (University  0f California San Francisco) ariificial kidney web site and they are posting that some time in 2021 they will be done clinical trials.

I'm waiting on this one, myself.  I'm thinking it will be my best bet to getting off dialysis.

I wonder if the criteria to get one will be as estensive as transplant qualifications are now.

From what I understand, the criteria will be similar to transplant, as the surgery is similar to transplant.  Your body has to be able to handle the surgery or there's no real point.

[Marilee]

From what I've read about the "qualifications" for surgery, a person still has to be able to handle surgery in general (anesthesia, healing time) but there's no immune system response to the artificial kidney being present, and that's so great: No immune-suppressing drugs to take, no rejection to the kidney cells in the unit because they are kept isolated from the blood cells by the main filter. That's amazing to me.

[GA_DAWG]

It would seem as though we should be approaching a time when they could take cells from a person's own kidney, and grow a replacement which would alsso seem to alleviate the need for anti-rejection drugs since it would be from the person's own kidney.

[cassandra]

From what I've read about the "qualifications" for surgery, a person still has to be able to handle surgery in general (anesthesia, healing time) but there's no immune system response to the artificial kidney being present, and that's so great: No immune-suppressing drugs to take, no rejection to the kidney cells in the unit because they are kept isolated from the blood cells by the main filter. That's amazing to me.

And that’s what’s keeping me hopeful for one day not needing D. I really have to start changing my mindset though. I’m really trying to stay alive (as in: not dead) for my ‘term life insurance to pay out. That’s 21’ Sept 2021 and wouldn’t it be amazing to be ‘good enough’ for one of them beauties 


I’m consulting with my crystals right now

[Marilee]

Oh, my gosh, Cassandra, I totally understand what you mean about the difference between staying alive versus staying 'not dead'. It would be amazing that when the time comes, you, my hubby and all the candidates here can find a way to benefit. It's not a perfect solution (still gotta deal with the anemia/vitamin D stuff separately and it can't do as much filtering as a pair of good'ns) but it beats sporadic dialysis and elevates a person from Stage 5 to Stage 4 - and I look back fondly at Stage 4 now.

[Alexysis]

It would seem as though we should be approaching a time when they could take cells from a person's own kidney, and grow a replacement which would alsso seem to alleviate the need for anti-rejection drugs since it would be from the person's own kidney.

For those of us with polycystic kidneys, growing a new crappy kidney is hardly what we need. But, as to the 'artificial kidney', I'll believe it when I see it. Over the last 30 years (since my mother had HER kidneys fail), doctors have consistently said that we were "5 years away from a cure"........

[iolaire]

But, as to the 'artificial kidney', I'll believe it when I see it. Over the last 30 years (since my mother had HER kidneys fail), doctors have consistently said that we were "5 years away from a cure"........

This is my worry, people seem to get excited about the 'artificial kidney,' but it takes very long to get technology to market, especially something so complex that would have to be integrated into the body.  Luckily we have the various dialysis methods that serve today as an 'artificial kidney'.

[cassandra]

But, as to the 'artificial kidney', I'll believe it when I see it. Over the last 30 years (since my mother had HER kidneys fail), doctors have consistently said that we were "5 years away from a cure"........

This is my worry, people seem to get excited about the 'artificial kidney,' but it takes very long to get technology to market, especially something so complex that would have to be integrated into the body.  Luckily we have the various dialysis methods that serve today as an 'artificial kidney'.

I don’t think people really get excited about it. When I started HD in the 80’s the machine didn’t used to reheat the blood. Your body was the heater. It was very, very cold. You dialysed for 7 hours 2 times a week. And now we have things like Nxstage, APD, transplants which can last a very long time (when I received my dad’s kidney the max was 10 yrs) etc. It’s not really getting excited, it’s just that: who knows? Might as well think positively, crap will happen anyway 😜

[Michael Murphy]

If memory serves me they took the prototype and used the components to construct wearable artificial kidneys and put them on a number of patients.  The results were spectacular no fluid limits, no dietary restrictions.

[cassandra]

There's also developments fróm the Kidney Project being used in development of D-filters.
So shorter D sessions could be poss 

[jambo101]

If memory serves me they took the prototype and used the components to construct wearable artificial kidneys and put them on a number of patients.  The results were spectacular no fluid limits, no dietary restrictions.

Ok sounds great but where are these products and how come im not being given the option of using such a device.

[Riki]

There's also developments fróm the Kidney Project being used in development of D-filters.
So shorter D sessions could be poss 

I would take that, if it was all I could get.

[Michael Murphy]

The test was conducted with volunteers,  they needed to be canulated and attached to the prototype devices.  Since it was experimental they were escorted by medical personnel.