Artificial Kidney Innovation Lab
Artificial kidney, Dialysis innovation, Implantables
Research aim
We develop novel artificial kidney technologies to improve autonomy and quality of life of patients with kidney failure. We have developed a testing facility to fast-track the development of artificial kidney innovations from bench to bed-side.
About us
We are a research group based at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht), within the Department of Nephrology. Our research focuses on implantable artificial kidney technologies, dialysis innovations, and green nephrology.
We see a world where dialysis technology, a lifeline for millions, has remained fundamentally unchanged for over half a century. This outdated model places an enormous burden on patients, healthcare systems, and the environment.
We believe that dialysis can be hugely improved, to the point of a miniaturized device with better blood purification that forms an implantable artificial kidney that is smart (selective filtering), personalized (biosensors), efficient (optimized clearance and ultrafiltration) and low cost (affordable for patients worldwide).
We are a central hub for artificial kidney innovation fostering research and business collaborations to advance novel dialysis systems and bring new developments to patients and the market.
We focus on the development of implantable kidney systems and advanced dialysis solutions, supported by a large network of collaborators across technology, chemistry, engineering, and medicine.
Our testlab enables the testing of novel methods for artificial kidneys and dialysis innovation. We can simulate dialysis experiments, validate toxin removal and blood compatibility, and provide both in-vitro and in-vivo preclinical setups for comprehensive validation. The testlab is part of NXTGEN Hightech.