Biophiltre uses Nano-Technology to make Portable Kidney Dialysis

September 11, 2005

Kidney failure may have a new treatment soon with newly emerging nano-technology.  A nano-technology startup company called Biophiltre is developing a filter that will copy the functions of the kidney. 

The artificial device would be made up of 2 membranes; one call the G would copy the function of the glomerulus, the other is called the T, which will mimic the renal tubule.  The glomerulus is the part of the kidney that filters the blood leaving water as a byproduct.  The Renal tubule function is to a recycling center to reclaim compounds that need to be reused. 

"Nanotechnology permits us to design each pore to selectively reclaim chemicals based on their size, shape and charge," explained Nissenson who is directory of the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center’s dialysis services and also is helping to organize Biophiltre's scientific board.

The conventional dialysis machine makes it almost impossible for portability because of the way it works.  The new technology will allow for the person to bring it along with them and have longer times to clean the blood.

The results of one test for the device on a computer ran over a 12 hour period was able to provide double the filtration compared to regular dialysis machines.   The first device will be around 3-4 pounds with the battery weighing in at 3 ½ pounds.  The battery can run for 8 – 12 hours at a time.  In the future they hope for a device the size of a large watch.

One thing that the device will not do is recycle the bicarbonate, so patients will still be subject to taking bicarbonate tablets or fluid in order to maintain acidity levels

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By Nicole Wilson
Best Syndication Staff Writer

Common Keywords and misspellings:  bio-technology nanotechnology neprholiathis kidney failure dialisys nano biology Biofilter