Dr. Victor Gura, a Los Angeles-based Nephrologist/Internist, has invented a wearable artificial kidney. The artificial kidney is worn like a belt and it resembles Batman's utility belt. And like the Batman belt, the kidney also comes with shark repellent.
Doctors recommend, however, that those who suffer from end-stage kidney failure should not fight crime. Vigilantism is against the law.
The belt works like a dialysis machine, but it cleans the blood slower. This slow rate is a benefit because the the speed at which dialysis cleans the blood causes discomfort because the body has to rapidly adapt. The belt reduces that discomfort.
Another obvious benefit of the belt is mobility. Regular dialysis must be done three to four times a week. Each session takes three to four hours. A person could spend that time in line at the post office or at fashion show, modeling belts.
There are 400,000 in the US alone who use dialysis. If this belt makes it out of clinical trials there will be much rejoicing.
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Here are some medical inventions that didn't make it:
1. Artificial Stomach Ache - This invention gave the user an artificial stomach ache. It was so much like a real stomach ache that users complained of stomach ache.
2. The Aroma Coma - This invention allowed coma victims to choose the smell of their coma. It came in two flavors: Grape and new car. This invention was disrespectful and stupid.
3. Defibrillator/Pez Dispenser - This defibrillator looked like Popeye the Sailor Man, dispensed Pez and was used to revive heart attack victims.The victims, while clinically dead, would often dream of meeting Popeye at the pearly gates. This disturbed people immensely.
