Evolution of Hemodialysis Technology: From Kolff’s Invention to the Nikkiso DBB 27 Hemodialysis Machine by Trivitron Healthcare
Hemodialysis is a life-saving treatment for people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition that causes irreversible loss of kidney function. Hemodialysis involves using a machine to filter the blood and remove waste products, excess fluid, and electrolytes. Hemodialysis has evolved significantly since its inception in the early 20th century, when it was first used to treat acute kidney failure in animals and humans. Since then, hemodialysis technology has improved in terms of efficiency, safety, and accessibility, thanks to the innovations and contributions of various researchers, engineers, and medical professionals.
One of the most important innovations in hemodialysis technology was the development of the artificial kidney, also known as the dialyzer. The dialyzer is the core component of the hemodialysis machine, as it performs the actual blood purification process. The dialyzer consists of two compartments separated by a semi-permeable membrane, through which blood and dialysate (a fluid that mimics the composition of normal blood plasma) flow in opposite directions. The membrane allows the exchange of molecules between the blood and the dialysate, thus removing unwanted substances from the blood and restoring its normal balance.
The first artificial kidney was invented by Dutch physician Willem Kolff in 1943, during World War II. It was made of wooden drums, cellophane sausage casings, and salt solution. Kolff used his device to treat 16 patients with acute kidney failure, but only one survived. Despite the low success rate, Kolff’s invention paved the way for further research and development of dialyzers. In 1948, Kolff donated his artificial kidney to Harvard Medical School, where John Merrill and Joseph Murray performed the first successful human kidney transplant in 1954.
Since then, dialyzers have undergone several modifications and improvements, such as increasing the surface area and permeability of the membrane, reducing the risk of clotting and infection, and enhancing biocompatibility and durability. Today, there are various types of dialyzers available in the market, such as hollow-fiber dialyzers, plate dialyzers, and high-flux dialyzers. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on factors such as patient characteristics, treatment goals, and cost-effectiveness.
Another major innovation in hemodialysis technology was the introduction of bicarbonate dialysis in the 1960s. Bicarbonate dialysis is a form of hemodialysis that uses bicarbonate as the main buffer in the dialysate, instead of acetate. Bicarbonate is a natural buffer that is present in normal blood plasma and helps maintain acid-base balance. Acetate, on the other hand, is a synthetic buffer that can cause adverse effects such as hypotension, nausea, vomiting, and metabolic alkalosis. Bicarbonate dialysis was found to be superior to acetate dialysis in terms of clinical outcomes, patient comfort, and safety.
Bicarbonate dialysis also enabled the development of other innovations in hemodialysis technology, such as volume-controlled ultrafiltration and conductivity profiling. Volume-controlled ultrafiltration is a technique that allows precise control of fluid removal during hemodialysis, based on the patient’s weight and fluid status. This helps prevent complications such as dehydration, hypotension, cramps, and pulmonary edema. Conductivity profiling is a technique that adjusts the concentration of sodium and other electrolytes in the dialysate during hemodialysis, based on the patient’s needs and preferences. This helps prevent complications such as disequilibrium syndrome, intradialytic hypertension, and interdialytic weight gain.
One of the latest innovations in hemodialysis technology is the Nikkiso DBB 27 Hemodialysis Machine from Trivitron Healthcare. This machine is designed to provide optimal performance for both acetate and bicarbonate dialysis. It also features volume-controlled ultrafiltration and conductivity profiling functions for enhanced patient care. The machine has a 12.1-inch touch screen operative panel that displays various parameters and settings for easy operation. It also has a built-in patient storage facility that can store up to 2000 patient records for convenient data management. The machine has a compact design that aims to offer comfort to the patient during treatment.
The Nikkiso DBB 27 Hemodialysis Machine also boasts a user-friendly interface with useful status icons that indicate the operating mode, alarms, warnings, and messages. The machine has various safety precautions that ensure reliable performance and prevent potential hazards. For instance, it has continuous monitoring of pumps and valves to detect any malfunction or leakage. It also has detectors for blood presence, air bubbles, and blood tubing lines to prevent blood loss or air embolism. Moreover, it has an automatic disinfection system that cleanses the machine after each use to prevent infection or contamination.
The Nikkiso DBB 27 Hemodialysis Machine is one of the most advanced and affordable hemodialysis machines in the market. It offers a combination of functionality, safety, and comfort for both patients and operators. It is a testament to the evolution of hemodialysis technology, from its inception to its modern innovations.
The Nikkiso DBB 27 Hemodialysis Machine is available at Trivitron Healthcare, a leading provider of medical devices and solutions in India and abroad. Trivitron Healthcare offers a wide range of products and services for various medical specialties, such as cardiology, radiology, nephrology, critical care, and more. Trivitron Healthcare also offers hemodialysis machine price consultation, installation, training, maintenance, and support for its customers. To know more about the Nikkiso DBB 27 Hemodialysis Machine and other hemodialysis products from Trivitron Healthcare, visit their website at https://www.trivitron.com/ or contact them at +91-9840080008.
Ultra Sound Scanner 