Dayong Gao, PhD | University of Washington; Suhail Ahmad, MD; Alexander Novokhodko, MS
Competition Sponsor: National Academy of Medicine
Awardee Year: 2024
Advanced Multi-Organ Replacement (AMOR) is a life support system that removes protein bound toxins and excess fluid from patient blood. It has been validated in a pilot study in critically ill liver failure patients. It has the potential to improve the care of liver and renal failure because of the role of protein bound toxins in driving both diseases. It uses an innovative hemofiltration technology for fluid removal. In addition, it removes protein bound toxins using a mixture of albumin dialysis, charcoal-based albumin regeneration, and a regeneration wash for the charcoal filter. This enables it to have a smaller size than existing systems, creating the potential for home-based treatment in stable patients. To reach this potential, we are developing replacements for the highly expensive and scarce human serum albumin (HSA) typically used in such systems. We are also designing the system for automation, manufacturing, and ease of use. This funding will enable us to prepare the device for FDA approval, research alternatives to HSA, and test the usability of AMOR outside ICU settings.