Bionic kidney: Issues raised on battery life, infection

The exciting news of a bionic kidney being developed has been tempered by experts who say that it has to yet undergo human clinical trials before it can be introduced in the market. A bionic kidney is supposed to function like a natural one, carrying out the functions of filtration, as well as production of hormones and vitamin D.

Dr Manisha Sahay, senior nephrologist at Osmania General Hospital, explains why this is important.

“In dialysis we can carry out only the filtration, but the supplementation of hormones and vitamin D has to be provided from outside. Similarly, in case of transplants we have to give immune suppressants so that the body does not reject the donated kidney. With the bionic kidney, research so far has shown that it will be able to filter, and aid in hormonal production and also vitamin D production. But the tests are going on and human clinical trials have to be evaluated before introducing it in the market.”

The new technology is being talked about in medical conferences and questions have been raised on two issues: battery back-up of the machine and the chances of infection.

Nephrologist Dr S. Shankar says that “for battery back-up, they are looking at having it in the belt so that it will be easy to carry. But infection is a challenge even in present treatments like dialysis and transplant. Hence the rate and quantum has to be assessed in human trials when a machine is kept inside the body.”

The technology which has evolved so far has shown that the microchip made by silicon nanotechnology will act as a scaffold to hold living renal cells which will grow in and around the micro filters.

The cells will mimic the activity of a live kidney. The main challenge is to push the blood through the device without clotting or causing damage to the device. While it is still being worked on in the laboratory, doctors say it promises well for the future treatment of kidney problems.