Implantable Artificial Kidney

The kidneys are a pair of essential organs placed beneath the abdominal cavity at the bottom of the ribcage, corresponding to the spine vertebrae levels T12-L3. They have a dozen or more physiologic roles and are relatively easy to destroy. Filtration and excretion of metabolic waste materials, managing essential electrolytes and fluids, and encouraging red blood cell synthesis are only a few of these tasks. These organs filter approximately 100 to 140 litres of blood per day, producing 1 to 2 litres of urine, made up of wastes and surplus fluid.

Kidney failure causes the body’s normal pH balance to be disrupted by the slow accumulation of nitrogenous wastes, salts, and water. This failure usually happens over a lengthy period. It is referred to as end-stage renal disease when the patient’s renal function has declined sufficiently over the course of the disease.

If a person has kidney disease or failure, he may need to get dialysis or use an artificial kidney regularly. 

What is an artificial kidney?

A bio-hybrid implantable artificial kidney that can mimic the functions of a healthy kidney by eliminating enough waste products to protect a patient from needing dialysis. The success of this gadget is due to the usage of silicon nanotechnology and a porous microchip that can operate as a natural filter. Each pore (of the filter) has a specific purpose or task to complete. The microchips will also serve as a platform for living kidney cells to colonise and develop on and around the filters to mimic the kidney’s normal activities. The bio-hybrid gadget will be shielded from being rejected by the patient’s body because it will be out of reach of the immune system. The device will be small enough to fit within a patient’s body and work with the patient’s natural blood flow.

Mechanism of the implantable artificial kidney

The two-part implanted artificial kidney takes advantage of recent advances in silicon nanotechnology, making it possible to mass-produce filtering membranes that are dependable, strong, and small.

The silicon membranes are also protected by unique molecular coatings that make them blood-compatible.

Incoming blood is processed by a hemofilter module, which produces a watery ultrafiltrate that contains dissolved toxins, carbohydrates, and salts. Second, the ultrafiltrate is processed by a bioreactor of kidney cells, which returns the sugars and salts to the blood. Water is reabsorbed into the body, concentrating the ultrafiltrate into ‘urine,’ which is then guided to the bladder for expulsion.

Risks associated with implantable artificial kidney

Some patients experience pain as the needles enter the vascular access. Dialysis treatments after that are painless.

There are some dangers associated with hemodialysis, including:

Infection: Germs can enter the body through a vascular access site and cause infection.

Low Blood Pressure: During treatment, some people’s blood pressure declines. When this happens, the person may experience difficulty breathing, a headache, and nausea (or throw up).

Itching: Hemodialysis can irritate a person’s skin, especially during or immediately after treatment.

Sleep issues: Some dialysis patients have difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or develop sleep apnea (when someone stops breathing for a short time during sleep).

Conclusion

Renal dialysis is a kidney disease treatment that replaces the kidneys’ function and maintains body balance. However, it is not a cure. Dialysis alone will not be enough to restore a person’s failing kidneys.

Some types of renal disease improve over time, and the patient no longer requires dialysis. Others no longer require dialysis after receiving a kidney donation.

Some patients will require dialysis for the rest of their lives. In certain circumstances, patients may alternate between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, a type of dialysis that can typically be performed at home.