Posted, July 17, 2023

There is no artificial kidney transplant available in Sweden yet. However, there are several research projects underway to develop an artificial kidney that could be used for transplantation. One such project is the Swedish Total Artificial Kidney (STAK), which is being developed by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. The STAK is a bioartificial kidney that uses living cells to mimic the function of a natural kidney. The cells are grown on a membrane that is placed inside a cartridge. The cartridge is then connected to the patient's bloodstream, and the cells filter the blood and remove waste products.

Another project is the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Project, which is being developed by researchers at the University of Gothenburg. The CKD Project is a wearable artificial kidney that is designed to be used at home. The device is about the size of a laptop computer, and it uses a pump to circulate blood through a filter. The filter removes waste products from the blood, and the filtered blood is then returned to the patient's body.

Both the STAK and the CKD Project are still in the early stages of development, but they have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of kidney failure. If these devices are successful, they could provide a new option for patients who are not eligible for a kidney transplant or who do not want to undergo a transplant.

Here are some of the challenges that researchers are facing in developing an artificial kidney:

• Finding the right cells: The cells that are used in an artificial kidney need to be able to filter blood and remove waste products. They also need to be compatible with the patient's immune system, so that they are not rejected.
• Designing a device that is small and portable: An artificial kidney needs to be small enough to be implanted in the body or to be used as a wearable device. It also needs to be portable, so that patients can use it at home.
• Making the device affordable: An artificial kidney needs to be affordable for patients. The cost of the device itself will need to be low, and the cost of the treatment will also need to be affordable.

Researchers are making progress on these challenges, and it is possible that an artificial kidney transplant will be available in the near future.