Dialysis machines are artificial kidneys for those patients
who have partial or permanent renal failure. They mix and monitor dialysate,
the fluid that removes the waste elements from blood. Moreover, it maintains
electrolytes and minerals to their proper level, and monitors blood flow in the
body. The dialysis market has grown in the recent years owing to the increasing
number of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, technological advancements
in healthcare, and increased funding for improved dialysis products.
Studies prove that more than million people around the world
are, unfortunately, the victims of kidney failure, which demanded new,
effective, and technologically advanced dialysis machines. Physicians at the
Kidney Research Institute of the University of Washington have found an unconventional
way to improve hemodialysis treatments by developing a wearable artificial
kidney. Typically, a patient goes to dialysis center three times a week for a four-hour
treatment. This wearable artificial kidney is battery-powered and weighs around
10 pounds. It provides around-the-clock dialysis. An early stage trial of the
device showed a successful 24-hour dialysis of five out of seven patients. Although
the two patients had to stop their treatment due to a technical failure in the
device. However, the remaining five were able to walk in the hospital halls while
their dialysis devices were continuously cleaning their blood for unwanted
elements.
There have been numerous trials to improve the treatments of
dialysis. In 2016, researchers of Vanderbilt University disclosed their project
on microchip filters, which could remove unwanted waste products from blood.
Each nanochip could be tailored according to a patient’s specific needs and
medical condition. The electronic device was designed to operate with mere 15
microchips, which use live kidney cells to mimic the natural filtration functions
of kidney. The use of nanotechnology in dialysis machines and pumps reduced their
bulky size. Moreover, it fulfilled the pressure requirements for filtration. However,
the main challenge to create such innovative device is maintaining the seamless
interaction between blood and the device.
The University of Southern California has recently published
its research on stem cells, which can hasten new remedies for renal diseases. The
research studied the growth of kidneys in mother’s womb, and the similarities
between human and mouse kidneys. The study proved that an average waiting time
for a kidney transplant is more than three years. Thus, patients have to put
their life on hold till a donor becomes available, and they need at least three
dialysis a week to survive. The data analyzed human and animal stem cell
functions and created a knowledge-base that can help produce mini-kidneys to perform
renal functions.
The increase in number of ESRD patients has boosted the
growth of dialysis market, however, there are several factors that hinder the
growth of the market. The unawareness among the community about dialysis and
self-care therapies is the major obstacle of dialysis market growth. Self-care
therapies are often underutilized by patients due to numerous misconceptions
regarding them. By educating patients about chronic kidney diseases, both
patients and doctors can make an informed decision whether the patient is
suitable for self-help dialysis or not. An early start of dialysis can increase
the life-expectancy of a patient and surge the number of individuals who
experience the advantages of self-care dialysis treatment. Furthermore, single-specialty
dialysis centers are mushrooming all over the world, which increased the speed
and lowered the cost of the treatment. Furthermore, the emergence of
telemedicine era has been beneficial to the growth of dialysis market.
Telemedicine has allowed nephrologists and nurses to interact with hemodialysis
and peritoneal patients. Telemedicine has provided a great deal of comfort to the
renal patients to know the availability of a doctor in dialysis center.
In a recent report on dialysis market, Allied
Market Research analyzed variety of market trends, and outlined that
the market was valued at $86,621 million in 2016, and is expected to reach
$118,512 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2017 to 2023. The
report offers Porter’s five forces analysis, key segments, regions, drivers,
restrains, and opportunities in the dialysis market. Moreover, it analyses key
market players and the growth of the market in the regions such as North
America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The report is beneficial for market
players, business experts, entry-level organization to understand the market
trends and strategies to boost revenue.
