Dutch portable "artificial kidney" enters clinical trial phase.

The University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands recently confirmed to reporters that the Dutch-led development of the portable dialysis machine NeoKidney has entered the clinical trial phase, with an expected market release in 2027. Karin Herzen, an expert in nephrology at the center, said that the dialysis machine, commonly known as an "artificial kidney," is smaller in size, lighter in weight, and requires less dialysis fluid than similar products. The portable dialysis machine weighs about 13 kilograms and can fit into carry-on luggage. Each 2-hour dialysis treatment only requires 5 liters of dialysis fluid, compared to the approximately 120 liters of dialysis fluid needed for a 4-hour treatment with a conventional hospital dialysis machine; even the smallest home dialysis system on the market currently requires 30 to 40 liters of dialysis fluid for a 2 to 3-hour treatment. Additionally, the device can be directly powered by household electricity. Herzen stated that patients can not only use the "artificial kidney" at home, but can also take it with them when they go out, providing them with more freedom and improving their quality of life. Researchers will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the safety, effectiveness, ease of use, and impact on daily life of the device. The portable dialysis machine project was initiated by the Dutch Kidney Foundation in 2008, with the laboratory prototype developed in 2015. If the clinical trials progress smoothly, it is expected to be approved by regulatory authorities and officially launched in 2027.