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Russian scientists change properties of mineral suitable for hemodialysis

Based on the research results, scientists will be able to create a portable device for hemodialysis

MOSCOW, July 5. /TASS/. Scientists from Tomsk State University (TSU) have changed the physical and chemical properties of zeolites (aluminosilicates of calcium and sodium) by mechanical and thermal influence, TSU press service said.

After these studies, scientists will be able to create a portable device for hemodialysis - blood filtration from toxic products of metabolism in case of renal insufficiency.

"Nowadays, some analogs of traditional devices for hemodialysis are available, but all of them require the procedure to be performed in a hospital, so people are bound to their place of residence. With the new device, patients will be able to go even on a long journey. Hemodialysis can be then done at home and in an emergency situation," said Alexander Buzimov, co-author of the study.

Zeolite absorbs and releases moisture very well. To increase this feature, one should find a way to increase the specific surface.

"The natural zeolite is a solid mineral, so it is important to find an appropriate chopping technology in order to increase its surface area," Buzimov said. It is changing under the influence of mechanical treatment allows for directional variation of the properties of zeolites.

Tomsk scientists from have compared the synthetic zeolite SAPO-34 with the natural zeolite from the Tokay deposits in Hungary. They have exposed the minerals to thermal and mechanical treatment in a ball mill and found that the specific surface area of the synthetic zeolite have decreased and area of the natural one have increased. Additionally, the mineral composition of natural zeolite has changed.

Scientists are now planning to combine zeolites with nanoceramic material developed by the Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science of the Russian Academy of Sciencs and create a composite sieve, which will be the basis for the future hemodialysis device. The device will be connected to a shunt, which is implanted under the skin of the patient. The blood will circulate through the composite sieve and will be cleaned. The scientists hope to get the new material from zeolite and nanoceramics in a year, whereas the first device will be created in two years.