An artificial kidney system suitable for multiple simultaneous dialysis.

ABSTRACT

The standard twin-coil Kolff artificial kidney has been redesigned to a single-pass system employing cold dialysis, bath-heated and recirculated within the coil. With considerably reduced bath requirements, a comparable dialysis is achieved in spite of a lower bath-to-blood urea gradient. Coil pressure is monitored by a simplified high-and-low pressure control system linked to a specially designed roller blood pump. The re-use of priming blood and disposable coils have proved economical and feasible. A considerable reduction in bacterial growth has been achieved. The Kolff system retains its capacity in the management of acute renal failure and has proved efficient in twice-weekly six-hour chronic hemodialyses.