Device to make life easier for kidney patients developed
 London, August 16, 2004 (ANI)

Scientists at the Imperial College, London, have claimed that they are developing a spiral shaped graft that could aid patients on kidney dialysis in the long term.

At present, most kidney dialysis patients have a synthetic tube inserted under the skin which is hooked up to a machine every few days. This device exerts huge pressure on patients' veins, which can close up, leading to them needing surgery up to three times a year to correct the problem.

According to scientists, if patients opt for the spiral-shaped graft, they won't face such problems. The device allows blood to "swirl" through the graft, mimicking its natural action, and reducing the likelihood of problems developing.

The graft has been tested in the laboratory, and the scientists are now beginning trials of the "Swirlgraft" in patients.

"These patients have to deal with kidney failure, and all that that entails. Then they have to undergo dialysis, and have a graft fitted which, on average, lasts around a year, and it has to be tinkered with every three months," the BBC quoted Professor Colin Caro, who has been carrying out research into blood flow for almost 40 years, as saying.

"If it delays the need for surgery, then everyone gains, the patient, and the health delivery service," he added.

There are around 19,000 people receiving kidney dialysis in Britain and the researchers think that around a third could directly benefit from the device, mainly those who have been on dialysis for a long time, and those who have developed renal failure because they have Type 2 diabetes.