Researchers are one step closer to helping dialysis patients manage their care better after completing a small trial involving a wearable kidney.
According to CNN, researchers at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, conducted a trial of the Wearable Artificial Kidney with seven patients that involved them wearing the device for 24 hours.
Although two of the patients stopped wearing the device, because it stopped working properly, the rest of those in the study showed positive results.
"The device removed water and salts from the blood at the same rate as healthy kidneys, and patients did not complain of discomfort or experience side effects," the news outlet wrote, attributing the information to Victor Gura, an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the school. According to Gura's website, the entire device weighs less than 10 pounds, operates on 9-volt batteries, and uses less then 400 ml of fluid. The website also says that, "the device has been clinically tested in Europe, and it has the potential to dramatically reduce the costs of treatment for those suffering from kidney disease."
What might be most interesting is that the FDA recently agreed to fast-track approval of the device once its safety, efficacy have been proven.
