Scientists at IIT-B developed hollow-fiber membrane to cut dialysis cost, time by half

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) on 20 November 2014 have developed a hollow-fiber membrane that cuts the cost and time required in dialysis procedure by almost 50 per cent.

The research was conducted under the leadership of Jayesh Bellare at the Chemical Engineering Department of (IIT-B).

The product has completed laboratory tests and awaits pre-clinical trials. The researchers are expecting that their product will be available in market in the next three years.

The newly discovered membrane is a key component of the filter and removes impurities from the blood during the dialysis process. The hollow-fiber membrane provides faster, efficient dialysis with less side affects at low cost.

Each dialysis session lasts two-three hours and a patient requires the treatment two-three times in a week.

The process of dialysis involves artificially removing excess water and waste from blood in a patient.

Experts say that filter developed in India will indeed help decrease the cost and more people will be able to afford it.

Scientists claimed that they have formulated a special material which improves performance and permitting faster treatment. They also claimed that the membrane shows superior biocompatibility.

The treatment is often, according to a study conducted by AIIMS, very costlier and thus around 90 per cent kidney related patients in India die within months because of lack of proper treatment.

Annually two lakh people in India develop advanced kidney failure. A recent study stated that the number of Indians with diabetes is predicted to reach 101 million by 2030.