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The Kiil artificial kidney

Fredrik Kiil, M.D. pioneered the development of an artificial kidney at the IEMR between 1957 and 1961. His ambition was to develop an artificial kidney having high hemodynamic conductivity, high capacity for removing urea and creatinine from the patient as well as having the ability to rid the patient of desired quantities of water. An overriding goal was to make the artificial kidney simple, inexpensive and reusable.

Working together with engineer Bjørn Amundsen at the IEMR, several models were tried out. The final product consisted of a 4-layered dialysis unit incorporating cuprophane membranes totalling 2 square meters. The kidney quickly attracted international attention and was soon used in many countries all over the world.

Image of the Kiil artificial kidney