In-Depth Case Study on Portable and Wearable Dialysis Devices

Portable dialysis devices are being used to reduce the disease burden by minimizing or completely eliminating dietary restrictions. Although dialysis machines are lifesavers, less attention is paid to them by the medical device industry. Portable dialysis machines are specifically designed for use at home setups or during travelling.

Most individuals with end-stage kidney disease receive dialysis treatment to recompense for some of the lost kidney functions by removing excess fluids and metabolic wastes, such as urea, collected in the blood. The global prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) exceeded to 2 million individuals, while the worldwide incidence substantially increased from 44 per million population (pmp) in 1990 to 93 pmp in 2010.

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment for most patients with ESRD, but only a few are able to reap the benefit due to the shortage of donor organs. For instance, as per National Kidney Foundation Inc., in 2017, 746,557 Americans had kidney failure and required dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

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Current methods of dialysis not only put a lot of burden on a country’s healthcare system but also disrupt a patient’s lifestyle. Patients on dialysis have to adapt their lifestyle and routine to the schedule of the therapy. Therefore, research is underway to develop a wearable artificial kidney that would help individuals remove wastes and fluids through more frequent, prolonged, or continuous dialysis sessions on the go without interrupting their daily activities. This could improve patient’s health while reducing the impact of treatment on the quality of life. Hence, the adoption of the wearable artificial kidney is likely to experience rapid adoption, in turn propelling the market growth.