Reverse engineering the Kolff Twin Coil artificial kidney

Abstract

The project is to build a full-scale working replica of the Twin Coil dialysis device designed by Willem Kolff who introduced this much improved dialysis machine for hospital and clinical use in 1955. The first step was to analyze original models of the Kolff Twin Coil on display in Washington, DC and in Largo, Florida and understand the design and engineering aspects of the device and how the Twin Coil design promoted effectiveness and efficiency in dialysis. When the design aspects of the Twin Coil were understood the task was to build a functional replica of the electrical circuitry and the control panel and interface with the three motor pumps. The approach to this was to study and understand the workings of the panel, acquire modern counterparts fitting to the replica's demand, and assemble the finished product. The finished panel and interface will be assembled and connected to the dialysis drum, built by Temple University, creating a final working replica Twin Coil dialysis machine.