Continuously functioning artificial nephron system: The promise of nanotechnology

Nearly 900,000 patients worldwide have end‐stage renal disease and require dialysis or kidney transplantation. Despite the availability of these forms of renal replacement therapy for nearly four decades, mortality and morbidity are high and patients often have a poor quality of life. We have developed a human nephron filter (HNF) utilizing nanotechnology that would eventually make feasible a continuously functioning, wearable or implantable artificial kidney. The device consists of two membranes operating in series within one device cartridge. The first membrane mimics the function of the glomerulus, using convective transport to generate a plasma ultrafiltrate containing all solutes approaching the molecular weight of albumin. The second membrane mimics the function of the renal tubules, selectively reclaiming designated solutes to maintain body homeostasis. No dialysis solution is used in this device. The HNF has been computer‐modeled, and operating 12 hr per day, 7 days per week the HNF provides the equivalent of 30 mL/min glomerular filtration rate (compared to half that amount for conventional thrice‐weekly hemodialysis). Animal studies should begin in the next 1 to 2 years, and clinical trials would then follow 1 to 2 years subsequent. The HNF system, by eliminating dialysate and utilizing a novel membrane system created through applied nanotechnology, represents a breakthrough in renal replacement therapy based on the functioning of native kidneys. The enhanced solute removal and wearable design should substantially improve patient outcomes and quality of life.