The Artificial Kidney

1
The Artificial Kidney

• By Timothy Lindis

2
The Kidneys

• Pair of small organs located in lower back
• Play crucial role in urinary system
• Other functions include homeostasis,
  electrolyte balance, and blood pressure
• Bean shaped appearance, concave and convex sides

3
Parts of Kidney

• Outer and inner parts
• Outer is called the renal capsule
• Inner is called the medulla
• Medulla made up of many sections called medullary
  pyramids
• Central part called the calyx
• Also has ureter tube which drains urine

4
Main Functions

• Retain water, electrolytes, and salts while
  removing urea and wastes from the bloodstream
• Electrolyte balance is maintained
• Activation for erythropoietin a hormone that
  helps produce red blood cells

5
Solutions for bad kidneys

• Primary Organ transplant which offers the best
  health and quality of life
• Dialysis which is the clinical purification of
  blood
• Dialysis patients have a poor survival and a low
  quality of life
• Final and newest option is the artificial kidney

6
The Artificial Kidney Project

• Very new device and is not on the market yet
• No price set on it yet
• Inventor Dr. Shuvo Roy of UCFS says it will be
  the same or a little less than a kidney
  transplant

7
The Artificial Kidney Project

• Expected to last at least a decade with minor
  tune ups
• Technology Miniaturization of hemofilter, filter
  process enabled by high efficiency membrane
  technology powered by semiconductor

8
Technologies Continued

• Blood compatibility enabled by thin polymer
  coating
• Cell bioreactor enabled by isolation of renal
  tubule cells
• Capability to provide the functions associated
  with proximal tubule cells
• Can also reclaim electrolytes, salt, and glucose

9
Preliminary Test

• Large scale non implantable version was tested
  and was successful
• Proved the hemofilter and bioreactor can function
  correctly
• Smaller versions are being worked on and tested
• Tested on sheep, pigs and rodents
• First clinical trials set for 2017

10
Video

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?featureplayer_embedd
  edvgtsHDY5S21A

11
Bibliography

• http//www.medgadget.com/2012/11/an-implantable-ar
  tificial-kidney-interview-with-ucsfs-dr-shuvo-roy.
  html
• http//kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/yourki
  dneys/
• http//www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-kidney.htm