Researchers at the University of California have developed the first implantable artificial kidney, which is capable of mimicking kidney's most important functions such as filtering toxins from the bloodstream, regulating blood pressure and producing vitamin D.
Reportedly, the research team at University of California, lead by US based Indian origin researcher Shuvo Roy, has tested successfully on a small number of animals, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Roy said the artificial kidney, which is the size of a coffee cup, could last for decades and does not require pumps or batteries to function.
The device has a filtration section to remove toxins from the blood and a compartment with renal cells to perform other functions of the kidney.
The researchers are awaiting approval to conduct larger scale animal and human trials over the next five years.