Media Release
11 February 2010
Wearable Kidney would Change the Kidney Patients World
A wearable kidney, which is worn like a belt and provides continuous dialysis, would change the
lifestyle of people with failed kidneys and play a major role in the total reform of dialysis treatment in
Australia and internationally.
Dr Carmel Hawley, Clinical Director of Haemodialysis, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Chairman of a major
conference in Brisbane on home dialysis which begins TODAY said the wearable kidney would be discussed
at the conference. The filtration device is worn on a belt around the waist and weighs approximately five
kilograms. There are four micro-pumps which are driven by standard batteries
Dr Hawley said with many patients forced to travel large distances to undertake their life preserving dialysis
treatments, often with great difficulty and cost three times a week, home dialysis will become an increasingly
important therapy for patients whose kidneys have failed, whilst they wait on average four years for a kidney
transplant. The availability of a wearable kidney would provide more flexibility.
Figure 2 The basic principles of the WAK device (medGadget 2007)
The wearable kidney is one example of the tremendous innovation happening in the dialysis industry which will
translate into better treatment options for patients. However, realistically access to this device is still some
time away for our patients.
In a report in November 2009 the Horizon Scanning Technology Prioritising Summary for the
Federal Government of Health and Ageing said although the wearable artificial kidney (WAK) is
designed to be used for continuous renal replacement therapy 24-hours per day, seven days per
week, it would most likely to be used between 4-8 hours per day.
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said at present there is no known cure for
kidney disease which affects one in seven Australians. The introduction a wearable kidney as a dialysis
option for treating patients would be a major breakthrough for patient care and would improve health
outcomes.
NB. Xcorporeal Inc (United States) provides the wearable artificial kidney (WAK) with the aim of providing portable continuous and
unobtrusive dialysis. The technology would be available through nephrologists for patients with chronic kidney disease
.
Media Enquiries:
Dr Carmel Hawley, Department of Nephrology, Princess Alexandra Hospital 0419 641 186
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith National Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201
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