A novel artificial renal microchip employing polymeric nanofibers membrane

In this study, a novel artificial renal replacement system is presented using a biocompatible polymeric nanofibers and MEMS technology. Usually, a classical artificial renal replacement system employs a semi-permeable membrane based hemodialyzer that replaces an ability of the kidney by removing metabolic toxins through diffusion and hydraulic pressure gradients. But, it has some limits in efficient filtration of metabolic byproducts (e.g.: urea, creatinine, and so on). We have developed PDMS based artificial renal microchips (AR chip) integrating biocompatible polymeric nanofibers which are utilized for the filtration of blood. Here, we demonstrate a novel artificial renal chip by integrating a high efficient biocompatible polymeric nanofibers membrane with the PDMS based micro-fluidic platform. Via the optimization of PDMS micro fluidic channel network and the multiple packaging of nanofibers membrane, we will realize the portable and wearable artificial kidney system.