Instrument for Continuous Renal Monitoring

The project goal is to develop an instrument for real-time monitoring of renal function for earlydetection of renal failure. Studies will be conducted with a phantom and with human subjects to validatethe instrument's effectiveness. If successful, the project is expected to provide the means for earlyidentification and treatment of renal failure and, thereby, prevent permanent kidney damage or death inpatients at high risk of developing acute renal failure. The development of the instrument is madepossible by recent research at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and at Aurora TechnologiesCorporation (Aurora). MGH has demonstrated the efficacy of measuring renal function by monitoring(externally) the rate of disappearance of a radiolabeled agent which is cleared almost exclusively byglomerular filtration from extracellular space. Our new semiconductor detector technology eliminates theneed for bulky detection devices operating at high voltage and makes feasible the manufacture of acompact, self-contained instrument which will be worn in a cuff on a patient's arm. With no tubes norwires attached, the instrument will measure the clearance of the radiolabeled agent without piercing theskin, thus, providing real-time measurement of renal function and reducing the need for repeat bloodsamples.