The Wearable Artificial Kidney is a tool-belt-sized device -- about to be tested on humans in the USA soon -- that could signal a change in treatment of kidney diseases.
The contraption was developed by a team of researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles. It's essentially a miniature dialysis machine compact enough to be worn like a tool belt and connected to the patient via a catheter.
The device could allow patients to undergo dialysis without spending long periods of time in boring, frustrating static sessions, but rather while working or engaging in other activities while the unit cleans their blood on the go.
Like conventional dialysis machines, the Wearable Artificial Kidney filters out waste products from the patient's blood, doing their kidney's job for them. However, it weighs only 4.5 kg, a stark contrast from filing cabinet-sized dialysis machines.
Wearable Artificial Kidneys
This Artificial Kidney Offers An Alternative to Traditional Dialysis
Trend Themes
1. Wearable Artificial Kidneys - The development of a wearable artificial kidney offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the field of kidney disease treatment.
2. On-the-go Dialysis - The concept of dialysis that can be done while working or engaging in other activities presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the healthcare industry.
3. Miniature Dialysis Machines - The creation of compact and portable dialysis machines opens up a disruptive innovation opportunity for improving the convenience and mobility of kidney disease treatment.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The medical device industry can leverage wearable artificial kidneys as a disruptive innovation to transform the field of kidney disease treatment.
2. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can benefit from the on-the-go dialysis concept as a disruptive innovation that makes treatment more accessible and convenient for patients.
3. Biotechnology - The biotechnology industry can explore the development of miniature dialysis machines to bring about disruptive innovation in the field of kidney disease treatment.