Implanted dialysis device for safe, easy at-home hemodialysis
Official title: An intracorporeal hemodialysis system (iHemo) enabling home hemodialysis
Funded at Silicon Kidney, LLC · NIH-11408209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new implanted dialysis cartridge and at-home system aim to let people with kidney failure dialyze themselves more safely and conveniently at home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Silicon Kidney, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Ramon, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $354,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DK146593-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with end-stage kidney disease who would benefit from home-based, frequent hemodialysis and can undergo implanted vascular access.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot undergo implantation or do not require a home dialysis solution may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on developing and commercializing an implanted hemodialyzer called the HemoCartridge to enable convenient, patient-centered intracorporeal hemodialysis at home. The goal is to reduce the need for daily self-cannulation and lower the risks of bleeding and infection by permanently connecting the blood vessels to the dialysis cartridge. The approach emphasizes simplifying tasks for patients and caregivers while maintaining safety through a closed, internal blood loop. If successful, this could improve quality of life and potentially survival by enabling more frequent, at-home treatment. The work combines biomedical device development with translational steps toward patient-ready implementation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could perform frequent home dialysis more safely and conveniently, improving quality of life and survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous home dialysis approaches faced adoption barriers; this project explores a novel implanted system to address safety and usability.
Where this research is happening
-
Silicon Kidney, LLC
San Ramon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blaha, Charles — Silicon Kidney, LLC
- Study coordinator: Blaha, Charles
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Optimizing a prehabilitation program for kidney transplant candidates on dialysis
A program to improve physical function and readiness for kidney transplant in people on dialysis is being developed and tested to help candidates stay healthier while they wait.
-
Simulator-based training to improve dialysis needle skills for patients with kidney failure
A new simulator-based curriculum will train dialysis care providers to position and insert needles more safely and consistently for people with end-stage kidney disease.
-
Improving how patients choose their hemodialysis access
A patient-friendly project to help people with kidney failure better understand and decide between AV fistula, graft, or catheter for hemodialysis.
-
IVUS in AV access dysfunction for hemodialysis patients
A new approach tests whether using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in people with failing AV fistulas or grafts improves diagnosis and guides treatment to prevent more blockages.
-
StepNet-Adapt: a personalized mobile program to boost activity for people on dialysis
A personalized mobile health program uses wearables, texts, and coaching to help people on hemodialysis become more physically active.
-
Cardiovascular health with different dialysis strategies in twice- vs thrice-weekly treatment
This study compares two ways of starting dialysis to see how heart and vessel health and outcomes differ for people beginning dialysis.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.