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A dialyzer, also known as an artificial kidney, is a medical device used in hemodialysis treatment. Its primary function is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood of individuals whose kidneys are unable to perform these functions adequately. This condition is known as kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. The dialyzer is a crucial component of the hemodialysis circuit, working in conjunction with a dialysis machine.

The core of a dialyzer consists of a semipermeable membrane, which is a thin barrier that allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others. Blood from the patient's body is pumped through one side of this membrane, while a special cleaning fluid, called dialysate, flows on the other side. The semipermeable membrane acts as a filter. Waste products like urea and creatinine, along with excess electrolytes and fluid, are present in higher concentrations in the blood than in the dialysate. Due to this concentration gradient, these unwanted substances move from the blood across the membrane into the dialysate. Essential substances like red blood cells and proteins are too large to pass through the membrane and remain in the blood.

The dialysate is carefully formulated to have a specific concentration of electrolytes and other substances that are normally present in healthy blood. This ensures that beneficial substances are not removed from the blood during dialysis. The cleansed blood is then returned to the patient's body. Dialyzers are typically disposable and are replaced for each dialysis treatment to prevent infection and ensure efficiency. The choice of dialyzer depends on factors such as the patient's condition, the type of dialysis performed, and the specific membrane material.