Abstract
Hemodialysis involves large, periodic treatment doses using large-area membranes. If the permeability of dialysis membranes could be increased, it would reduce the necessary dialyzer size and could enable a wearable device that administers a continuous, low dose treatment of chronic kidney disease. This paper explores the application of ultrathin silicon membranes to this purpose, by way of analytical and finite element models of diffusive and convective transport of plasma solutes during hemodialysis, which we show to be predictive of experimental results. A proof-of-concept miniature nanomembrane dialyzer design is then proposed and analytically predicted to clear uremic toxins at near-ideal levels, as measured by several markers of dialysis adequacy. This work suggests the feasibility of miniature nanomembrane-based dialyzers that achieve therapeutic levels of uremic toxin clearance for patients with kidney failure.
Highlights
Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition characterized by inadequate renal filtration causing increased plasma concentrations of uremic toxins
We develop analytical and computational models to examine the potential benefits of ultrathin nanomembranes in hemodialysis
Our work suggests that nanomembranes offer a promising avenue for development of novel small-format hemodialysis devices, and that our models will be valuable tools in the design of such devices
Summary
Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition characterized by inadequate renal filtration causing increased plasma concentrations of uremic toxins. Patients with chronic or end-stage kidney failure may be treated with kidney transplantation, but are often forced to rely on hemodialysis instead due to the scarcity of donor kidneys. Hemodialysis is an artificial supplement or replacement for kidney function that aims to clear uremic toxins and excess water from a patient’s blood by molecular exchange between uremic blood and a buffered solution of salts, sugar, and other critical analytes, the dialysate. While intermittent hemodialysis has been the standard of care for replacing lost kidney function since the mid 1970’s, the therapy has many limitations [3]. The intermittent nature of most dialysis treatments means that dialysis is typically administered in large doses, in an attempt to Membranes 2015, 6, 6; doi:10.3390/membranes6010006 www.mdpi.com/journal/membranes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
