The first clinically successful kidney dialysis machine was invented in 1943 by Willem Johan Kolff, a Dutch physician working in Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II.
How long has kidney dialysis been around?
Kidney dialysis has been used since the mid-1940s, with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis first performed in the 1940s.
That first successful treatment happened on March 17, 1943, when Kolff used his crude rotating drum dialyzer on a 67-year-old woman. She regained consciousness and produced urine after 11 hours on the machine. Regular dialysis didn't become widespread until 1960, when the first dialysis centers opened. By the 1970s, it had become standard treatment worldwide. Then in 1976, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) arrived, giving patients a much more flexible option.
What is the name of dialysis machine?
The dialysis machine is called a dialyzer or hemodialysis machine, depending on the specific function.
Here's where things get a bit confusing. The actual filtering device is technically called the dialyzer, but most people refer to the whole setup as the hemodialysis machine. One needle draws blood from the patient, sending it through tubes into the dialyzer where waste and excess fluids get filtered out through a semi-permeable membrane. The cleaned blood then returns through a second needle. Some newer wearable versions are being marketed as artificial kidney devices.
Who invented artificial kidney?
Willem Johan Kolff, a Dutch physician, invented the first artificial kidney in 1943.
Kolff's early dialyzer was pretty makeshift—built from sausage casings, orange juice cans, and a washing machine motor. The first patient treatment in 1945 worked, and his invention became the foundation for all modern dialysis technology. Later, Kolff moved to the U.S. and kept refining dialysis technology, earning him the nickname "father of dialysis."
Do artificial kidneys exist?
Yes, artificial kidneys are being developed and tested, with implantable versions in clinical trials.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, are working on an implantable bioartificial kidney that combines living kidney cells with silicon nanofilters. Clinical trials started in 2024, and early results look promising—they're filtering blood without triggering immune rejection. These devices aren't available yet, but they could eventually replace traditional dialysis by mimicking natural kidney function.
Who is the father of dialysis?
Willem Johan Kolff is recognized as the father of dialysis for inventing the first practical artificial kidney in 1943.
Kolff's wartime work led to that first successful human dialysis treatment, and his rotating drum dialyzer became the blueprint for every modern dialysis machine. After the war, he moved to America and kept improving dialysis technology while training future kidney specialists. Honestly, this is the best example of necessity driving medical innovation.
Can we stop dialysis?
Yes, patients can stop dialysis if they choose, but it’s a serious decision that requires medical guidance.
Patients absolutely have the right to refuse or discontinue treatment, often because of declining health or quality-of-life concerns. But stopping without medical advice can be dangerous—untreated kidney failure can become fatal. Anyone considering this should have thorough discussions with their healthcare team and family before making any final decisions.
How many people are on dialysis?
As of 2026, approximately 468,000 Americans are on dialysis, according to the U.S. Renal Data System.
This includes people getting hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or those waiting for a transplant. About 193,000 Americans have a working kidney transplant, which means they no longer need dialysis. The number keeps growing because diabetes and high blood pressure—both leading causes of kidney failure—are on the rise.
Who is bigger DaVita or Fresenius?
As of 2026, Fresenius Medical Care North America is slightly larger than DaVita Kidney Care, based on patient volume and dialysis center count.
Fresenius runs over 2,600 dialysis centers in the U.S., treating roughly 210,000 patients. DaVita operates about 2,800 centers for approximately 195,000 patients. Together, they dominate over 80% of the U.S. dialysis market. Both companies are publicly traded with nationwide coverage, though Fresenius edges out DaVita in total patient numbers.
