Kiil kidney dialysis apparatus, England, 1980-1982

A Kiil membrane assembly for use in renal dialysis by Meltec

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A Kiil membrane assembly for use in renal dialysis by Meltec
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A Kiil membrane assembly for use in renal dialysis by Meltec Ltd., Station Approach, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, 1980-1982

In 1961, Norwegian Frederik Kiil introduced a kidney dialysis machine small enough to be used at home. Called the ‘sandwich’, the machine had eight cellophane membranes to filter patients’ blood. Larger areas of membranes meant better filtration of the blood. (The first kidney machine actually used sausage skins as membranes.) Patients had to dismantle and sterilise the machine at home.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Object Number:
1982-1539
Materials:
metal (ferrous), aluminium alloy, plastic (unidentified), rubber (unidentified) and cellophane
Measurements:
overall: 1235 mm x 630 mm x 610 mm, 58 kg
type:
kidney dialysis machine
credit:
Oxfordshire Area Health Authority. Area