An article about the promising technology developed by Wake Forest University researchers and designed to address a common problem in treating critically ill patients with kidney issues has received a grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech) to support next steps in research and development.

The novel approach uses light and nitrite to reduce the unwanted blood clotting called “device thrombosis” that often occurs during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), a special type of dialysis used in intensive care units.

Professor and Chair of Physics Daniel Kim-Shapiro and colleagues at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found they could use far-red light – close in wavelength to infrared light, but visible to the human eye – to trigger the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide, a process that affects blood flow and clotting.

Dr. Kim-Shapiro was also interviewed by Audrey Biesk of WXII News about this promising new technology.