GFR90
Bringing a New Reality in the World of Dialysis

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment, but it comes with many challenges. Patients must spend hours at a clinic hooked up to a machine, multiple times a week, which takes a toll on their quality of life. It can be so onerous some patients decide not to undergo dialysis at all due to the negative impact it has on their mental well-being. Moreover, the intermittency of traditional dialysis creates periods of fluid retention that stresses the heart. In fact, the leading cause of death of dialysis patients is heart failure due to fluid overload.

It begs the question: what if there was a wearable artificial kidney that mimics the function of a healthy kidney, removing fluid and toxins from the body on the go?

Enter GFR90’s wearable artificial kidney. This innovative device can significantly reduce the need for recurring hospital visits and reduce cardiac overload in addition to improving the overall quality of life for patients.

“GFR90 draws its name from the acronym for glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is deemed healthy at 90. Our ambitious mission is to develop a cutting-edge device that emulates healthy kidney function. We are making impressive headway toward this goal, as healthy kidneys typically generate 1.5 to 1.8 ml of urine per minute, and our device is already performing at a remarkable rate of 1 ml per minute,” says Norm Tiffin, president and managing partner of GFR90.

This is achieved through the use of ultrafiltration technology, which separates fluid from whole blood, collecting it in a bag that can be emptied, much like the bladder. It leads to better regulation of fluid balance, reducing the risk of a potentially lethal side effect of dialysis known as cardiac stunning.

“We continue to enhance our device’s usability, with a focus on making it an integrated part of a patient’s daily routine.

Our goal is to develop a device that patients can comfortably wear throughout the day, remove at night, then connect again the next day, allowing them to enjoy the freedom and flexibility to live life on their own terms,” says Don Bilyea, CEO of GFR90.

In addition to alleviating the challenges associated with traditional dialysis, GFR90’s wearable artificial kidney provides various benefits, even in terms of finances. Since the device has the potential to significantly reduce the need for frequent hospital visits, it may result in significant cost savings. GFR90 is also committed to making its innovative technology accessible to everyone, regardless of the patient’s financial situation.

GFR90 is steadfastly prioritizing the crucial role of data monitoring in its pursuit of innovation. By meticulously gathering data on the wearable kidney’s performance, including metrics such as fluid volume extracted and toxin elimination rates, GFR90 will persistently refine its product for superior outcomes. Additionally, by closely monitoring patients’ usage of the wearable kidney and the efficacy of their treatments, it will collaboratively work with physicians to finetune treatment plans, further enhancing the overall quality of care. With an unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of data monitoring and analysis, GFR90 is poised to elevate the standard of care for all patients.

GFR90 draws its name from the acronym for glomerular filtration rate, which is deemed healthy at 90. Our ambitious mission is to develop a cutting-edge device that emulates healthy kidney functions

GFR90 owes much of its success to the talented team behind its product development. The idea was initially conceived by Dr. Robert Lindsay, a renowned Canadian nephrologist, who collaborated with a group of experts in biomechanical engineering, hematology, biochemistry, and programming to bring his vision to life.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the team, GFR90’s wearable artificial kidney is expected to become a reality, revolutionizing how dialysis treatment is administered. Today, the device is being commercialized by Tiffin and Bilyea, committed to making it accessible to patients worldwide.