dialysemaschine

A Dialysemaschine, also known as a dialysis machine or artificial kidney, is a medical device used to perform hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for individuals with kidney failure, where the kidneys are unable to adequately filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The dialysemaschine essentially replicates the function of healthy kidneys by removing these impurities from the patient's bloodstream.

The core component of a dialysemaschine is a dialyzer, which is a filter containing a semipermeable membrane. During treatment, the patient's blood is pumped from their body through an access point, such as a fistula or catheter, into the dialyzer. On the other side of the membrane, a special dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, flows. The semipermeable membrane allows waste products like urea and creatinine, as well as excess electrolytes and fluid, to pass from the blood into the dialysate, while keeping essential components like blood cells and proteins in the blood.

The dialysemaschine precisely controls the flow rate of both the blood and the dialysate, as well as the composition and temperature of the dialysate. It also monitors the patient's blood pressure and other vital signs throughout the procedure, which typically lasts several hours and is performed multiple times a week. After the blood has been cleansed, it is returned to the patient's body. The dialysate, now containing the waste products, is discarded.