As someone who has gone through a kidney transplant, this is actually a bit depressing since progress in this field is painfully slow.<p>I have seen these articles pop up at regular intervals for a decade now, and if we're going to be honest: nothing much has happened during that decade. This is still an under-funded area where nothing more than "pre-clinical" prototypes keep getting press - and then nothing.<p>I used to be active on various forums for kidney patients (one of which had more than 27.000 members last I checked). I'm not very active anymore because it is too depressing to read about people who are less fortunate than me (I have good health, live in a country with socialized medicine and my total cost per year for keeping the transplanted healthy is less than $300). For instance non-affluent people living in the US.<p>I've lost count of how many americans I've known who have ended up in a place where taking their own life seems like the best option. Either because they are tired of finding money for the medications that keep them alive, tired of navigating bureaucracy, because they don't want to drag their entire family into a financial hole, or because they are just physically exhausted. (Dialysis is time-consuming and slowly ruins your body)<p>Take some time to think about that. Think about what it means that every so many months someone on a forum you frequent tells you "I've had it - I'm going to give up and die". It can be quite taxing if you allow yourself to care.<p>So excuse me for being negative, but this isn't anything to be excited about. This is just a reminder that nothing much that actually has any impact is happening in this area.<p>Please take some time to review the national statistics for the US and please consider becoming an organ donor.<p><a href="https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/organ-donation-statistics" rel="nofollow">https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/organ-donation-statistics</a>
That looks interesting, but the linked article is a bit short on details, but high on praise.<p>For example I would like to know, if the goal is, to actually put this inside of people?<p>Currently it is smartphone sized. That might work, but only if the person moves not much, because it does not seem flexible. And having a stiff smartphone in your body would mean moving like a old school robot. That still might beat the alternative, but would be a serious limitation. Maybe they get it smaller and more flexible - then I would be curious how long the bioreactor and hemofilter lasts, before they need replacement? Because that means dangerous surgery.<p>So the first versions would be probably carried outside the body and connected to your arteries?
While progress in this field has been slow, it's worth saying that if this technology continues to proceed towards success, this is not just a life-saver but a game-changer for humanity.
How long does it last once implanted? Seems a little scarce on details, not sure if its a permanent fix or just supposed to keep you going until a transplant is found. Is it a replacement or a stop gap?