With bionic kidneys expected to enter into market to cater to the needs of patients suffering from renal diseases, healthcare experts have expressed apprehensions that these bionic kidneys may not give the intended results and needs to undergo more human clinical trials before introducing them into the market.
A bionic kidney is an electronic equipment that mimics the functions of a natural kidney by filtering the impure blood and producing hormones and vitamin D needed for a human body similar to that of a normal human kidney. Bionic Kidneys are developed using microchip made by silicon nanotechnology which will act as a scaffold to hold living renal cells which will grow in and around the micro filters.
Of late many experts have been talking about the new technology in medical conferences and questions have been raised on two issues viz., battery back-up of the machines and the chances of infection. According to senior nephrologist Dr. N. Shankar, as bionic kidneys are powered to run by batteries, they are looking at having it in the belts so that it will be easy to carry. “As bionic kidneys are expected to run by battery power, the chances of getting infection are very high, as has been seen even in present treatments like dialysis and transplantation of natural kidneys,” observed the nephrologists.
Though majority healthcare experts are welcoming the new technology of bionic kidneys as it will give a great boost to more than 1.5 lakh kidney patients suffering annually from acute kidney diseases and are on dialysis and waiting for transplantation, however they expressed caution that bionic kidneys must be rolled out in the market only after a comprehensive human clinical trials and detailed assessment of pros and cons of the new technology on the overall healthcare outcome of the patients.
However senior nephrologist at Osmanai General Hospital Dr. Manisha Sahay welcomed the new technology of bionic kidneys and explained its importance that unlike in dialysis where one can carry out only the filtration and while the supplementation of hormones and vitamin D have to be provided from outside, using bionic kidneys researchers have so far have effectively shown that they can even aid in hormonal production and also vitamin D production, which is termed as a positive outcome.
According to experts the new technology which has evolved so far is being further researched to overcome the challenges of pushing the blood through the device without clotting or causing damage to the device.
Overall healthcare experts are optimistic of the new technology as it would give relief to more than 2 lakh people in India who are suffering with end stage kidney diseases every year would reduce the waiting list for kidney transplantation which is slated to be at 1.5 lakh as per the estimates of ministry of health and family welfare.