Lightweight wearable kidney for home dialysis
Dialyzing at home with a new model of the Wearable Artificial Kidney
['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · WEARABLE ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, INC. · NIH-11124817
This project is developing a smaller, lighter wearable artificial kidney so people with end-stage kidney disease can get dialysis at home while staying mobile.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WEARABLE ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11124817 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Many people on dialysis spend long hours tethered to clinic machines, which limits daily life and leads to poor outcomes. This effort aims to miniaturize a wearable artificial kidney that can be worn on the body and provide more continuous blood filtration like a native kidney. Earlier versions proved the concept in bench, animal, and early human tests but were too heavy or bulky for most patients, so the team is redesigning the device to be smaller, lighter, and more discreet. The work combines device engineering, laboratory testing, and further human feasibility testing focused on safety and patient preferences.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with end-stage kidney disease who require chronic dialysis and are interested in a home-based, wearable treatment option.
Not a fit: People eligible for immediate kidney transplant, those with unstable medical or surgical conditions, or individuals who cannot safely wear a body-mounted device may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could allow people to receive dialysis while moving around, improve removal of toxins and fluid balance, and improve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier wearable artificial kidney prototypes have shown feasibility in lab, animal, and early human testing, but this smaller, lighter model still needs proof in larger human trials.
Where this research is happening
BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES
- WEARABLE ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, INC. — BEVERLY HILLS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GURA, VICTOR — WEARABLE ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, INC.
- Study coordinator: GURA, VICTOR
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 below.