The uremic syndrome is a complex mixture of organ dysfunctions, which is attributed to the retention of a myriad of compounds that under normal condition are excreted by the healthy kidneys (uremic toxins). In the area of identification and characterization of uremic toxins and in the knowledge of their pathophysiologic importance, major steps forward have been made during recent years. The pre...

Cells face not only a complex biochemical environment but also a diverse biomechanical environment. How cells respond to variations in mechanical forces is critical in homeostasis and many diseases. The mechanisms by which mechanical forces lead to eventual biochemical and molecular responses remain undefined, and unraveling this mystery will undoubtedly provide new insight into strengthening b...

The guidance of endothelial cell organization into a capillary network has been a long-standing challenge in tissue engineering. Some research efforts have been made to develop methods to promote capillary networks inside engineered tissue constructs. Capillary and vascular networks that would mimic blood microvessel function can be used to subsequently facilitate oxygen and nutrient transfer a...

Recent advances in the instrumentation technology of sensory substitution have presented new opportunities to develop systems for compensation of sensory loss. In sensory substitution (e.g. of sight or vestibular function), information from an artificial receptor is coupled to the brain via a human-machine interface. The brain is able to use this information in place of that usually transmitted...

This book is, first of all, a tribute to the genius and creativity in the field of artificial organs. More importantly, it is a comprehensive updated review of the evolution, the advances and the recent results achieved by haemodiafiltration in the clinical arena as a renal replacement modality. The editors are clinical nephrologists who are leaders in this field; the contributors are outstandi...

Home Dialysis Training Center Division of Artificial Organs University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Introduction Access to the bloodstream has alway been a problem in hemodialysis. The presently preferred method is a surgically created arteriovenous fistula, as described by Brescia and co-workers in 1966. However, the use of the A-V fistula is limited. Frequent venipunctures with large bo...

It has been 29 years since the first prospective trials of HLA matching in kidney transplantation began (1) with the logical assumption that results could be thereby improved. Except for the identification of histocompatible siblings as "special" donors, a matching effect was not evident (2). This conclusion breathed life into the still struggling fields of liver and heart transplantation in wh...

Biomaterial is a nonviable substance used in a medical device intended to interact with biological systems. Their usage within a physiologic medium needs the characteristic features such as efficient and reliable. These characteristic features have provided with a suitable combination of chemical, mechanical, physical and biological properties [2]. Nowadays, biomaterials are commonly used in va...

One day soon it may be possible to replace a failing heart, liver, or kidney with a long-lasting mechanical replacement or perhaps even with a 3-D printed version based on the patient's own tissue. Such artificial organs could make transplant waiting lists and immunosuppression a thing of the past. Supposing that this happens, what will the ongoing care of people with these implants involve? In...