History of Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis – now and then
The first signs of uremia within the human body are an indication that the kidneys are no longer performing or are unable to completely fulfill their vital function. The Greek origin of the word shows that knowledge of the condition is much older than the ability to treat this life-threatening problem.
It was not until the 1940s that researchers finally established a scientific basis advanced enough to support the first therapeutic trials. The discoveries and inventions of dedicated doctors and scientists are to thank for the advances that have cleared the way for continuous technological improvement over the decades.
On the following pages we document the captivating history of hemodialysis and the artificial kidney (dialyzer) – inventions that help secure the life and quality of life of more than 1.2 million hemodialysis patients worldwide.
- Historical basis of hemodialysis
- The early days of dialysis: John J. Abel and Georg Haas
- The first successful dialysis treatment: Willem Kolff
- Passing the practical test: the Kolff-Brigham rotating drum kidney
- Dialysis and ultrafiltration: Nils Alwall
- Further developments
- Vascular access and chronic dialysis
- Modern hemodialysis: the first hollow-fiber dialyzers
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