BIOARTIFICIAL KIDNEY :

The implantable bioartificial kidney builds upon the existing extracorporeal Renal Assist Device (RAD), which is a bioartificial kidney that combines a membrane hemofilter and a bioreactor of human renal tubule cells to mimic many of the metabolic, endocrine, and immunological functions of a healthy kidney.

While clinical trials confirmed that the RAD can safely treat acute renal failure in a critical care setting, adoption of the RAD for routine treatment of ESRD patients is hampered by its labor-intensive and complex operation, large size, and high marginal cost.

The ultimate goal of the Kidney is to apply microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology to miniaturize the extracorporeal RAD into a surgically implantable, self-monitoring, and self-regulating bioartificial kidney.