There are approximately 2.2 million cases of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) worldwide and current hemodialysis treatment is costly and ultimately insufficient compared to kidney transplantation. There is a strong need to arrive at a better solution for treating ESRD. Microchannel-based hemodialysis is one proposed option, already shown to have improved...
This dissertation describes how to apply pharmacokinetic simulations and modeling in a clinical setting to monitor and adjust drug dosing in special patient populations. Pharmacokinetic simulations were used to investigate efficacy and risk of drug toxicity of a new dosing regimen for aminoglycoside antibiotics when administered to renal failure patients....
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate a method for mechanically characterizing a 25 μm thick elastoviscoplastic hemodialysis membrane and for quantifying the force required to use that membrane in compression sealing. First, methods are developed for mechanically characterizing the thin elastoviscoplastic membrane. Then, a finite element model is...
The present study investigated whether vitamin E supplementation reduced oxidative stress in erythrocytes and improved vitamin E status in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Plasma and erythrocyte α-tocopherol, plasma ascorbic acid, and iron status were determined in 11 regular HD patients prior to and post-dialysis, before and during oral supplementation of...
Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis have a high incidence of oxidative stress-related diseases. This study evaluated oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients undergoing hemodialysis before and during vitamin E supplementation. Blood samples were obtained before and after dialysis during two separate dialysis sessions to establish baseline measurements....
A microchannel-based hemodialyzer offers a novel approach to hemodialysis practice and holds many promises for improving dialysis treatment efficiency and quality of life for kidney patients. The hollow fiber hemodialyzer, a conventional dialysis device, has certain limitations including non-uniformity of the dialysate flow path which necessitates the use of a...
This research examines the relationship between health literacy among End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients and its relevance for communication between patients and providers. The study was conducted among dialysis services providers at the Good Samaritan Dialysis Center and dialysis patients receiving care at the Center. Data collection techniques included...