The automated, wearable artificial kidney (AWAK) functions continuously, instead of having to spend hours on a machine which is typically four hours at a time, three times a week.
The AWAK also regenerates and reuses the fluids and proteins contained in the dialysate which reduces protein loss and eliminates water loss. It is "bloodless", which means that it does not involve blood circulation outside the body.
AWAK is being called "dialysis-on-the-go" because of its wearability and automation. Around 1980, an artificial kidney machine was built, but the machine was portable, not wearable. This new technology would allow patients to go about their daily lives while on dialysis.
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- TravG73
- added this
- added July 27, 2008
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Medical science continues to amaze.
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This device can save alot of people from the stress of going to the hospital for treatment.Science is a good thing when chartered to do good for the Human Being.
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wow, great for technoledgy
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- jakes_green
- 12 months ago
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Now i can drink a shitload and not have to worry about my kidneys!!!!
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My grandma is on dialysis and it's really hard seeing her come back from it because it makes her sick. It's good to see new technologies being developed.
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- jacijacijaci
- 12 months ago
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Since kidney disease is one of the ten leading causes of death, and 15.5 million adults in the US suffer from it, let's hope that this device will soon be available at an affordable price.
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Check it out! It's like some sort of Batman belt but way cooler!
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- phillyharper
- 12 months ago
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Here's our super kidney hero at it again!
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- phillyharper
- 12 months ago
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Sounds great, in time when it is developed further a less cumbersome rig will be devised. Nevertheless a great achievement
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- themanwithadog
- 12 months ago
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thank you medical science!
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- donkeyfly69
- 12 months ago
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thats way to big... i love it but big nonetheless... they sorta need to cover it up... like wat if something got caught in and broke one of the pipes or wires....
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Sounds great. It's kinda bulky, but it's way better than the alternative.
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"Be right back, forgot my kidney".
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- meanaverage
- 12 months ago
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This is great! This would help my dad a lot. :)
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Thank god! I'm down one kidney from a congenital disorder, and I'm not sure if I could take having to go on dialysis if I lost my other one somehow. I wonder if this thing will be good enough to let someone get away from a hospital entirely for a while? What's its range like, what kind of recharging does it need... If it can have its replacable components swapped out reliably on the road, that would be incredibly empowering for the people who use it.
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this looks great. my grandfather received a kidney transplant in the 1960s, making him one of the longest living kidney transplant recipients in america. right now, at 73, his borrowed kidney is beginning to die. i'm getting married next year, and we're all praying he'll be there. advancements like the one mentioned in this article are exciting and very encouraging.
