BUILDING AN ELECTRONIC KIDNEY Scientists at Vanderbilt University have developed a first-ever implantable artificial kidney. The artificial kidney contains a microchip filter and living kidney cells that can function using the patient’s heart, and this bio-synthetic kidney acts like the real organ, removing salt, water and waste products to keep patients with kidney failure from relying on dialysis. The key to this new development is a breakthrough in the microchip itself, which uses silicon nanotechnology. “[Silicon nanotechnology] uses the same processes that were developed by the microelectronics industry for computers,” said Dr. William H. Fissell IV, who led the team that developed the device. The microchips are affordable, precise, and function as an ideal filter. Each artificial kidney will contain 15 microchips layered on top of each other. These chips will work as filters and also act a support system for the living ce...
Every Thing About Technology & Life