Abstract
Background
Access to pediatric dialysis is challenged in low-resource settings by high costs, scarcity of equipment, and lack of qualified personnel availability. We demonstrated the manual Single Lumen Alternating Micro-Batch (mSLAMB) device can remove small solutes in vitro without the need for electricity, batteries or pumps. We developed a new version (Kirpa Kit™) to address some of the technical limitations of mSLAMB. Here we compare the in vitro clearance performance and ease of use of Kirpa Kit™ with that of prior mSLAMB configurations.
Methods
A mixture of expired packed red blood cells, 0.9% NaCl, urea and heparin was used to test the efficiency of two mSLAMB configurations and Kirpa Kit™ in removing potassium and urea. Clearance was evaluated by measuring percent reduction after 25-minute sessions with each device. A survey was used to evaluate the ease of use of each configuration.
Results
The Kirpa Kit™ achieved a median urea reduction of 82.4% and potassium reduction of 82.1%, which were higher than those achieved with the best-performing mSLAMB configuration (urea 71.9%, potassium 75.4%). The Kirpa Kit™ was easier to use with a shorter perceived time of use than the mSLAMB.
Conclusions
The Kirpa Kit™, evolution of mSLAMB, is easy to use and may have improved efficacy, making it an optimal candidate for in vivo testing.