| Layman’s summary: | Now, after more than 20 years of work, one team of doctors and researchers is close to offering patients an implantable artificial kidney, a bionic device that uses the same technology that makes the chips that power your laptop and smartphone. Stacks of carefully designed silicon nanopore filters combine with live kidney cells grown in a bioreactor. The bundle is enclosed in a body-friendly box and connected to a patient’s circulatory system and bladder—no external tubing required. |
| Publication date: | October 2017 |
| Published in: | www.wired.com |
| Author: | Megan Molteni |
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Dr. Fisher’s notes:
Researchers led by UC San Francisco bioengineer Shuvo Roy and Vanderbilt University nephrologist William Fissil are developing a surgically implantable artificial kidney that would offer an alternative to dialysis or transplantation.
“We’re creating a bio-hybrid device that can mimic a kidney to remove salt and water to keep a patient off dialysis,” Dr. Fissil explains. “The implantable artificial kidney, about the size of a soda can, contains microchip filters and living kidney cells, and will be powered by the patient’s own heart.”
This is interesting
Would it work on someone born with one kidney or where the kidney somehow shrunk and is no longer there
Deborah,
Thanks for your question. This technology is still being developed. However transplants of human kidneys work the same regardless of why the kidney function has failed or diminished.
Keep checking back on this site for new developments. If you want to explore this possibility, give me your email and I will send you a way to explore this. Meanwhile, keep your hope strong!
Dr. Fisher,
Please share with me how to explore this new technology as an option gor my daughter who has been on dialysis for almost 13 years now and has yet to be offered a kidney. (She’s 32 Y/O) Thank you.
Hi,ch
Dr. Fisher is not available to respond immediately. I am not a doctor but a patient like you.
This program constantly has more information available about it. You can learn more and contact UCSF by looking here: https://pharm.ucsf.edu/kidney/device/faq
My own journey allowed me to list in a state where the wait times were much lower. I live in CA and the average wait time is about nine years.
I am really sorry your son is still waiting. There may be medical reasons for the delay but I don’t want to assume anything. You are doing your very best by exploring all options.