Microelectromechanical Systems and Nephrology: The Next Frontier in Renal Replacement Technology

Abstract

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is playing a prominent role in the development of many new and innovative biomedical devices, but remains a relatively underutilized technology in nephrology. The future landscape of clinical medicine and research will only see further expansion of MEMS based technologies in device designs and applications. The enthusiasm stems from the ability to create small-scale device features with high precision in a cost effective manner. MEMS also offers the possibility to integrate multiple components into a single device. The adoption of MEMS has the potential to revolutionize how nephrologists manage kidney disease by improving the delivery of renal replacement therapies and enhancing the monitoring of physiologic parameters. To introduce nephrologists to MEMS, this review will first define relevant terms and describe the basic processes used to fabricate MEMS devices. Next, a survey of MEMS devices being developed for various biomedical applications will be illustrated with current examples. Finally, MEMS technology specific to nephrology will be highlighted and future applications will be examined. The adoption of MEMS offers novel avenues to improve the care of kidney disease patients and assist nephrologists in clinical practice. This review will serve as an introduction for nephrologists to the exciting world of MEMS.

A pumpless multi‐organ‐on‐a‐chip (MOC) combined with a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) model

“…The main concept of organ-on-a-chip systems lies in reproducing the various environmental milieus of in vivo tissues, such as blood flow (Miller et al, 2012;Zheng et al, 2012), three-dimensional architecture (Sung et al, 2011), cell-cell interaction (Khetani and Bhatia, 2008), cell-microbe interaction (Kim et al, 2010), and concentration gradients (Allen et al, 2005). Based on recent advances, various organ-on-a-chip microsystems have been developed, including the liver (Khetani et al, 2015), heart (Lee et al, 2015), gastrointestinal tract (Sant et al, 2012), the brain (Pamies et al, 2014), and the kidney (Kim and Roy, 2013).…”

Advancing Modern Healthcare With Nanotechnology, Nanobiosensors, and Internet of Nano Things: Taxonomies, Applications, Architecture, and Challenges

“…Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in nephrology: MEMS [198] is the use of fabrication techniques from the microelectronics industry. MEMS is a generalized term for miniaturized modified devices adapted from the microelectronics industry.…”

Design of Mobile Hemodialysis Apparatus for Acute Renal Failure Patient's Self-Help and Treatment Adherence

“…Steven Kim and Shuvo Roy have explained about MEMs technology to design a device. They have used silicone as a semiconductor material to develop an innovative biomedical device in MEMs technology [62].They have used micro fluidics in order to reduce the membrane filtration. The tap connections were used as a water source in dialysis process.…”