IPUD – An Implantable Peritoneal Ultrafiltration Device that actively and continuously prevents fluid overload in diuretic resistant heart failure patients.
Fluid overload (congestion) is a classic clinical symptom and cause of distress among heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Diuretics are currently the gold standard treatment. However, of the 26 million heart failure patients annually around the world, over one third are diuretic resistant. Current solutions for fluid overload in diuretic resistant patients such as IV diuresis, ultrafiltration therapy and peritoneal dialysis all carry complications and are acute treatments which do not prevent recurrence.
IPUD improves the clinical condition of fluid overloaded patients. It continuously remove extracellular fluids with a unique implantable peritoneal ultrafiltration device, operating non-aggressively and independently from the kidneys’ function. IPUD is minimally invasive (laparoscopic approach). The flat absorption device interfaces with the intraperitoneal membrane and applies a hydrostatic pressure gradient. It then continuously (24/7) and slowly absorbs systemic isotonic extracellular fluid and drains it to the urinary system preventing recurred accumulation. The device has a projected service life of 3 years and recharging the device has been made simple for the patients via wireless charging, needed on a weekly basis.