A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, including Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, nephrologist and the Drs. Ronald and Katherine Falk Eminent Professor in the School of Medicine, are developing a membrane technology that has the potential to significantly miniaturize dialysis equipment. The goal is to provide convenient and effective treatment for millions of patients worldwide.
“The hope is to create a device that can offer the same function as a kidney, but in a much more convenient and portable form,” said Roy-Chaudhury.
“Most important, if the technology is both high quality and cheaper than conventional dialysis, it would allow for this life-saving treatment to be accessible to millions more people who currently can’t afford it.”
“That would be a true cell phone moment for kidney dialysis—a quantum leap in technology and at a reduced cost.”
The aim is to develop membranes efficient enough to allow for a portable dialysis device, potentially the size of a smartphone. Their project, “Graphene Oxide Membranes for Portable Kidney Dialysis,” dubbed GENESIS, envisions a device that could operate using the body’s own blood pressure and disposable cartridges weighing only grams. The ultimate goal is to enable continuous, round-the-clock dialysis, allowing patients to lead normal lives without the need for frequent clinic visits.
Theo Dingemans, a specialist in polymer chemistry and chair of the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, and Orlando Coronell, an expert in membrane technology for water purification and associate chair in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, are collaborating with Dr. Roy-Chaudhury on the project.