Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul Medical University will start developing a portable hemodialysis device and filter together with HealthConnect, Synopex, and Bayada Home Health Care.

Hemodialysis, which accounts for more than 80 percent of all renal replacement therapies, is a treatment that receives the most money from health insurance as a single medical practice. However, equipment, filters, and consumables used during hemodialysis were all imported.

According to the National Health Insurance Service, Korea spent more than 2.7 trillion won ($2.1 billion) on hemodialysis last year.

The hospital stressed that such high spending has led to a continuous demand for locally developed equipment to reduce health insurance burdens.

To resolve these problems, a team, led by Professors Kim Dong-ki and Lee Jeong-chan, will start research to develop a home dialysis patient monitoring system using locally-developed portable hemodialysis equipment, filter, water purification system, and ICT technology to establish a medical service model based on visiting nursing.

“The portable hemodialysis medical device can provide dialysis treatment without interruption even in emergencies such as a pandemic, flexibly adjusting the dialysis time, and helping patients facilitate their economic activities,” Professor Kim said. “The team expects that the prognosis of patients will improve through individualized dialysis prescription.”