Wearable Artificial Kidney - Devices in Development

Devices in Development

Researchers in Italy have developed a semi-autonomous system called the Vicenza Wearable Artificial Kidney for Peritoneal Dialysis (ViWAK PD). The ViWAK PD is a fully electronic system with a belt and waterproof chamber that houses the replaceable sorbent tubes. Patients replace the sorbent cartridges a couple times a day on a schedule in conjunction with overnight peritoneal dialysis. Patients can monitor and control their therapy wirelessly via a handheld remote or a computer.

In 1997, researchers at UCLA detailed a peritoneal-based AWAK that can provide continuous filtration, mimicking the functions of the normal kidneys. The system would never need patient intervention except during cartridge replacement every 8 or 12 hours. This device is able to regenerate and reuse fluid, and protein components in the spent dialysate - the fluid that has extracted toxins from the patient through the peritoneal cavity, and which is discarded in current, traditional dialysis protocols. The regenerated dialysate is pumped into the patient for the next cycle of dialysis. As such, protein loss is minimized or eliminated and minimum amount of dialysate is required, making a wearable kidney possible. The technology has been licensed for production.

A WAK designed by Dr. Victor Gura,an Associated Clinical Professor from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles working at Cedars Sinai Hospital has been built and successfully tried in laboratory and animal experiments at Cedars Sinai Hospital.

This device underwent two successful human trials in dialysis patients, one in Vicenza, Italy in cooperation with Dr. Claudio Ronco and the other one in the Royal Free Hospital, University of London College, in association with Dr. Andrew Davenport. All laboratory, animal and human trials were reported in peer reviewed scientific journals and numerous prestigious scientific meeting such as the world Congress of Nephrology, the American Society of Nephrology, the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association, the International Society of Hemodialysis and the International Society of Hemodialysis, the International Society of Blood Purification, the Annual Dialysis Conference and many others. The initial prototype of this device weights approximately 5 kg, is worn as a belt and works on batteries. In addition it is the only device that affords water quality equal to that used for intravenous fluids, while currently used devices use water with some bacterial and endotoxins content. The device is now ready for clinical trials in order to obtain regulatory approval and made available to the public.