Scientists are developing an artificial kidney that can replicate the work of the real organs and potentially eliminate the need for dialysis.Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), are developing an implantable artificial kidney that can closely replicate the functions of real kidneys.If they are successful, the scientists’ work could help eliminate the need for dialysis.Kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a high rate of success.About 93 percent of transplanted kidneys are still working after a year and 83 percent are functioning after three years.Patients commonly wait five to 10 years for a suitable organ to become available.Average life expectancy for dialysis patients is five to 10 years, although some have lived for decades.
However, dialysis — which filters out some (but not all) toxins from the bloodstream that would normally be eliminated by the kidneys — must be performed on a daily basis if done at home via peritoneal dialysis.