Scientists show off a model of an implantable artificial kidney. Can it replace dialysis?

University of California, San Francisco researchers developed a model of an implantable artificial kidney, which could potentially wipe away the need for dialysis.

The prototype of the implantable artificial kidney has two parts to it.

First, thousands of nanoscale filters take out toxins from the blood. Then, a BioCartridge of kidney cells act like a real human kidney.

The system runs on the body's blood pressure — eliminating the need for pumps or an electrical power supply to filter the blood.

“This device is designed to deliver most of the health benefits of a kidney transplant, while addressing the limited number of kidney donors each year,” Shuvo Roy, a professor of the UCSF School of Pharmacy, said in a statement.

A Michigan collaborator proved this artificial kidney worked after hooking patients up to a similar external model. However, the implantable prototype isn't going to be put into a human anytime soon.

After animal model experiments, the researchers expect to have this artificial kidney in clinical trials in five years.

Eventually, Roy will unveil a coffee cup-sized device made with silicon fabrication technology, that is fitted with kidney cells, ready for implantation into patients. That way, the patients won't need the typical slew of immune suppressant medications.

“This could dramatically reduce the burden of renal failure for millions of people worldwide, while also reducing one of the largest costs in U.S. healthcare,” he added.

Currently, half a million people suffer from end-stage renal disease. The rising cases of diabetes and hypertension will make that number worse. The only treatment is a kidney transplant.

Only 17,000 kidneys were donated last year. This shortage of organ donations makes a majority of people resort to kidney dialysis.

When dependent on kidney dialysis, patients must spend up to five hours, three times a week, hooked to a machine to filter their blood. Not only is it a personal burden, it's a financial one as well.

The U.S. Renal Data System reported, it costs $75,000 per patient each year for dialysis. Even then, only 35 percent of those patients survive after five years.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com