What are Hemofiltration Generators and How do they work?

Hemofiltration Generators are machines used in hemofiltration procedure which is a therapy very similar to hemodialysis. This process is used in case of renal failure as a substitute to the function of kidneys. As compared to hemodialysis, hemofiltration is more often than not used in case of severe and acute renal failure or acute kidney injury (AKI) and that too in intensive care settings. The procedure involves the patient’s blood to pass through the hemofiltarion generators which separates out water and waste products from the blood and then adds the replacement fluid (a fluid to preserve the blood volume and supplies electrolytes) just before injecting the treated blood back to the patient’s body.

Hemofiltration is a prolonged, lengthy and uninterrupted process which generally needs 12 to 24 hours per session and is performed on a regular basis for as much as needed depending on the patient’s condition. Also, acute renal failure can be reversed effectively if the diagnosis is done at an early stage with an immediate appropriate treatment. The hemofiltration generators work slightly different from that of the machines used in hemodialysis, meaning the filtration method of both these machines are different. While both the methods involve a use of semi-permeable membrane to filter the blood, hemofiltration generators use convectional heat along with diffusion. The convectional heat enables positive pressure of the fluid to thrust out solutes and water via the filtering membrane, and therefore the hemofiltration generators are more effective than that of a hemodyliasis machine. The heat mechanism of the machine solves the underlying problem in diffusion alone by enabling the filtration of solutes of various sizes at a similar rate; and this rate of blood filtration of differently-sized solutes are balanced with the help of hemofiltration and dialysis one behind the other. It is a procedure which is termed as hemodiafiltration.

Different Functions of a Hemofiltration Generator:

·         To imitate the physiology and functions of the native organ

·         Repairing and maintaining of homeostasis

·         Qualitative and quantitative blood purification

·         Avoid complex and good clinical tolerance

·         Render conditions preferring the early recovery of renal function

Presently, there is an elevated demand of hemofiltration generators on a global level. This is owing to a few key factors such as rise in the number of acute kidney injuries (AKI), rising geriatric population with increasing number of ICU patients. Nonetheless, the complicated procedure and its cost per session, along with strict regulations and insufficiency of trained ICU nurses in the United States are hindering the market growth.