Artificial kidney still years away

Dialysis through the bloodstream means long hours attached to a machine, whether in a clinic or at home. For many researchers, the ultimate goal is an artificial kidney that can match the function of the original organs.

Scientists at UCLA and several other institutions say they're well on their way to developing a miniaturized artificial kidney that weighs only about 10 pounds, including a pair of 9-volt batteries that power it.

The Wearable Artificial Kidney, which would be worn as a belt and operate continuously while a patient worked, socialized or slept, has already had several preliminary rounds of tests, including two studies in dialysis patients.

However, clinical trials to demonstrate how the device might affect the long-term health of dialysis patients are still to be done, researchers say, and it could be years until it is approved for general use.