The Economics Behind Dialyzers

Although dialysis is complicated and involves many medical specialties, the entire process comes back to one small piece of equipment—the dialyzer. The more efficient the dialyzer, the better the results of dialysis. And new improvements are continually being introduced to the market.

Innovations

Gambro, which has been focused on dialyzer technology for more than 40 years, offers the Polyflux dialyzer line, which the company has designed to have superior benefits due to its unique three-layer membrane structure. “This patented technology continues to deliver clinical results such as reduced thrombogenicity and superior endotoxin retention,” said Jacob Rasin, Gambro vice president of In-center Care Marketing and Dr. Juan Bosch, Gambro chief medical officer. “With the launch of the Polyflux Revaclear dialyzer, Gambro’s technology experts have refined the membrane and the dialyzer design even further, which will improve not only clinical value for dialysis patients, but real-time economic and process values for providers.”

Gambro designed Polyflux Revaclear to do the following:

• Improve membrane efficiency over a smaller surface area

• Improve middle molecule clearance, which may improve quality of life for patients

• Improve thrombogenicity, which results in less blood loss during the treatment and ease of use for the clinician

• Reduce extracorporeal blood volume, which improves usability and results in diminished used of saline.

Another focus for Gambro has been making the dialyzer more ecologically friendly. “In keeping with the ‘green’ movement, Gambro’s new dialyzer technology is focused on creating less impact on the environment. By creating a smaller dialyzer, less waste is created, which helps clinics manage costs and offers greater transport and storage efficiency. It reduces the amount of biohazard waste sent to the landfill, resulting in financial savings for the clinics,” Rasin and Bosch said.

Other updates in dialyzer technology focus on two areas: membrane uniformity and flow management, according to Wayne Carlson, director of clinical affairs at Minntech Renal Systems. “New membranes are attempting to provide a more uniform pore structure than previous membrane materials,” he explained. “For example, the random pore structure of the polysulfone membrane that captured the market in the 90s is slowly giving way to the more regulated pore structure of Helixone membrane, found in the Fx series of Fresenius dialyzers. This standardization of pore structure allows for both predictable and programmable solute removal. Maximization of flow is exemplified by the MECS dialyzer, under development by Home Dialysis Plus and Oregon State University. The MECS dialyzer maximizes dialysate flow to offer a miniaturized dialyzer with full-sized performance,” Carlson added.