SBIR-STTR Award

The uremic syndrome is a disabling condition attributed to the progressive retention of solutes that would normally be excreted by the kidneys and which interact negatively with physiological systems/functions. These are broadly defined as uremic toxins. Hemodialysis treatment is prescribed for the majority of individuals in the final stages of renal failure. However, better dialysis options (length, frequency and location) are needed to enable individuals with this disability to work and engage in activities in their communities. With the goal of creating an advanced, portable hemodialysis system based on an innovative dialysate regeneration system, the investigators will use various surface chemistry techniques to develop an adsorption system effective for regenerating spent dialysate containing a wide spectrum of uremic toxins AND maintain nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins and essential ions. The technical objectives in the Phase I program are: 1) Design, Preparation and Characterization of the Advanced DRS; 2) Performance Characterization of the Advanced DRS for Uremic Toxin Clearance; 3) Efficacy and Safety Test on DRC Housing the Advanced DRS; 4) Summary of Phase I Program. The challenge in this Phase I project will be identifying an adequate balance between the degree of selectivity and the toxin removal effectiveness.

This project develops an advanced, portable hemodialysis regeneration system that significantly enhances the quality of life of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. ESRD impairs physiological systems and functions, and is associated with disability, high morbidity and mortality. Hemodialysis is prescribed for the majority of individuals in the final stages of renal failure. Minimizing the loss of nutrients and improving dialysis delivery (length, frequency, and location) enables individuals with ESRD to feel better, have more energy, work more, and engage in activities in their communities. Project investigators use surface chemistry and material science techniques to develop an advanced dialysate regeneration system able to remove a broad spectrum of uremic toxins while minimizing the loss of nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, and essential ions. Technical objectives include: (1) performing scale-up production of the components of the advanced dialysate regeneration system (DRS-2); (2) designing and constructing the prototype module (cartridge) to house the DRS-2; (3) proving the safety and efficacy of the DRS-2 in vitro; (4) performing overall efficacy and quality tests of the DRS-2 using spent dialysate; and (5) evaluating and summarizing Phase II processes and results.