Dialyzátor

A dialyzer, also known as an artificial kidney, is a medical device used in hemodialysis treatment. Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining procedure for individuals with kidney failure, where the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The dialyzer performs this function by mimicking the natural filtering capabilities of healthy kidneys.

The core component of a dialyzer is a semipermeable membrane, which is a specialized material that allows small molecules to pass through but prevents larger ones. Blood from the patient's body is pumped through one side of this membrane, while a special dialysis fluid, called dialysate, flows on the other side. The dialysate has a carefully controlled composition of electrolytes and other substances.

Due to differences in concentration, waste products such as urea and creatinine, along with excess electrolytes like potassium and sodium, move from the blood across the semipermeable membrane into the dialysate. Similarly, excess fluid is drawn from the blood into the dialysate through a process called ultrafiltration. Essential substances like red blood cells and proteins are too large to pass through the membrane and therefore remain in the blood. The cleansed blood is then returned to the patient's body. Dialyzers are typically single-use devices, replaced after each treatment to ensure sterility and efficiency.