from the better-living-through-chemistry dept.
Medical researchers have received approval to begin safety and performance testing of the Wearable Artificial Kidney. The federal Food and Drug Administration and the University of Washington Institutional Review Board accepted the protocol for the clinical trial. Expected to start this autumn in Seattle, it will be the first human study in the United States to be conducted on the device.
The Wearable Artificial Kidney, also known as the WAK, is a miniaturized dialysis machine that can be worn on the body. The carrier resembles a tool belt; the device connects to a patient via a catheter. Like conventional dialysis machines, it is designed to filter the blood of people whose kidneys have stopped working. Unlike current portable or stationary dialysis machines, it can run continuously on batteries and is not plugged into an electrical outlet or attached to a water pipe. The present version weighs about 10 pounds, but future modifications could make it lighter and more streamlined.
(Score: 2) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @01:30AM
So how long until all the 16-24 year olds want one of these? set it up with bluetooth and an Iphone app, the Ihipsters will be buying them by the thousands.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 25 2014, @01:45AM
my kidney is wearable, too!
(Score: 2) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @02:31AM
so is a vibrating butt-plug if you're going to stretch the 'wearable tech' definition to that length }:)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 25 2014, @02:47AM
We will stretch every orifice!
(Score: 3, Funny) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @02:53AM
OT: those new giant iphones are going to cause some torn anuses from all the fanboys bumming them so hard. fortunately they have a little flex
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 25 2014, @06:28AM
No flange! Not safe!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 25 2014, @04:39PM
So that's the reason for the rounded corners!
(Score: 2) by Tork on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:04AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:08AM
yeah, but when has that stopped the stupid masses from purchasing things solely for status?
(Score: 2) by Tork on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:44AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:47AM
god no, just bored at work so dorking it up on Soylent. I think I've managed to go most of a day without saying one useful thing.
(Score: 2) by Tork on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:52AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:58AM
Yeah, that would probably do it. not intending any disrespect. just doing my usual rant about youth of today wanting teh shiny. best of luck to her.
(Score: 1) by Tork on Thursday September 25 2014, @04:07AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:11AM
Maybe I should have added 'sharks and lasers' for greater humorous effect
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Thursday September 25 2014, @02:42AM
Sounds like great progress, and I expect a great deal more economical than fullscale dialysis.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by EvilJim on Thursday September 25 2014, @03:19AM
I wonder if it'll be more economical than this? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2266412/Chinese-man-kept-alive-13-years-HOMEMADE-dialysis-machine.html [dailymail.co.uk]
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Thursday September 25 2014, @04:56AM
That's damned inventive too. But not very portable!
I'm thinkin' another big advantage of a wearable unit is that since it's not a twice-a-week thing, there won't be periodic toxic buildup, so there'll be less organ damage over time.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Thursday September 25 2014, @05:49AM
....Repo, The Genetic Opera!
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Thursday September 25 2014, @07:04AM
the device connects to a patient via a catheter.
Are we sure about this? I am pretty sure that it should be hooked up to the circulatory system, not the renal. Because it _is_ the renal system?
(Score: 3, Informative) by TK on Thursday September 25 2014, @04:15PM
It's one of those words that technically means one thing, but colloquially means another.
From Wikipedia: [wikipedia.org]
Off-topic bonus: the Greek characters I copy-pasted into the comment box display correctly in the preview (and presumably after I hit submit, too). Yay progress!
The fleas have smaller fleas, upon their backs to bite them, and those fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum