Platinum’s role in the development of artificial kidneys

Kidney disease can be a severe medical condition that affects ten percent of the world population. 37 million people suffer from some form of chronic kidney disease in the United States alone. This is according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. About 700,000 people per year develop end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or, as a last resort, a kidney transplant. In Spain, Chronic Kidney Disease continues to grow in recent years. It has reached more than 7 million patients. Of them, more than 60,000 are on Renal Replacement Treatment.

The World Platinum Invest Council reports that chemical engineering researchers have recently developed a device in the United States that simulates the human kidney’s blood filtering and ion transport functions. The technology could change the treatment options for people in the final stage of kidney disease. This is in thanks to the contributions of precious metals such as platinum.

Their work involves creating a synthetic nephron. This is the structure in a kidney that regulates blood chemistry by filtering blood to disperse nutrients, including ions, and remove waste material. Chemically, ions are derived from electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. The electrolyte balance in our bodies is essential for the normal functioning of our cells and organs.

To simulate the filtration process, the researchers applied a porous mesh made of platinum to create a ‘wafer’ that uses an electric field to force ions through the membranes. The platinum mesh serves as an electrode when a voltage is applied. The mesh electrode allows independent control of the transport chambers within the device, which will enable researchers to select different ions and adjust transport rates independently, successfully mimicking specific control of ion transport by the kidney.

Platinum has unique applications in medicine thanks to its electrical conductivity, ductility, and biocompatibility

Platinum is the ideal metal for many medical components and devices, including pacemakers and cochlear implants, due to its unique physical and chemical properties. It is an excellent electrical conductor and, due to its purity, it is also highly biocompatible. This means that the human body tolerates platinum well and is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Furthermore, platinum is inert and does not corrode the body.

Attempts to make an artificial kidney have not been successful in the past. It is a challenging and complex area of ​​medicine since each kidney has more than a million nephrons. However, the latest advance is significant. For the first time, it creates nanostructures that filter blood in a similar way to biological nephrons.

The researchers believe that their discovery could have the potential to function as a standalone device or in conjunction with dialysis, with minor modifications that allow it to work as an artificial kidney.