Lithuanian scientists develop technology to detect kidney disease

The aim is to develop and commercialize a new urea biosensor-based device that is more effective than with similar devices in the market, making testing procedures and diagnosis a more straightforward process.

Currently, blood analysis equipment on the market for patients with kidney disease is complex, stationary, and requires professional staff.

For those with kidney disease, a biochemical blood test is usually carried out before and after hemodialysis, a procedure that patients require every week. However, scientists believe that a weekly blood test may be insufficient and have been searching for less invasive ways to do this.

“To solve these problems Lithuanian scientists are creating a new, effective and cost-efficient automatic analysis system. It will allow the hospital to determine urea, sodium and potassium ions in blood, which will enable the physician to shorten or facilitate control of a dialysis session,“ said the project manager, Dr Julija Razumienė.

“In addition, the device will be able to predict the concentration of the compound in the blood sample, so there should be no need to take a blood sample every time,” she said.

Constant blood sampling can harm patients by putting stress on their heart and this new technology could avoid the need for such tests..

There is a huge need for such a technology with between 8% and 16% of the world‘s population suffering from kidney problems that last for more than 3 months, with diabetes (Type I and II) the most common cause of kidney disease.

“We are cooperating with colleagues from Ukraine – Molecular Biology and Genetics Institute located in Kiev. Despite the fact that the partners did not receive financial support for their projects, they are always with us and are fully engaged in cooperation,” said Marius Dagys, the Sentiero Baltic representative.

DELFI