Kidney patients will be able to undergo dialysis while they work, travel or indulge in leisure activities, thanks to the Automated Wearable Artificial Kidney (AWAK). This novel device, developed by a team of technical experts from our Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, weighs about 1kg and can be carried around in a pouch, allowing dialysis to take place up to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, so long as the patient wears it.

The device is based on the concept of peritoneal dialysis, a treatment method which exploits the body’s own peritoneal membrane, in the abdomen, for the cleaning process. In contrast to the more commonly known hemodialysis, this technique of dialysis does not involve external blood circulation and is thus inherently safe for the patient. AWAK functions round-the-clock by continuously regenerating spent dialysate in a sorbent cartridge, which makes it independent of external fluid supply. It is thus “bloodless” and “waterless” and will allow the patient to return to a normal lifestyle, enhancing his quality of life.

Key Features

• Highly portable
  
  
• Relatively lightweight
  
  
• Inherently safe to use
  
  
• Functions round the clock
  
  
• Able to enhance patient’s quality of life