© ALL CREDIT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary as a pioneering medical treatment center, the Northwest Kidney Centers opened their First Ever "Dialysis Museum" in 2012 with free admission. You may ask yourself, "Why would they do that? Who needs to know about old Dialysis machines?" Well, among other things, by understanding the history of Dialysis, patients are given an understanding and appreciation for how far the treatment has come since 1940 (before Fistulas) as well as inspiration for future developments which seem to be on the horizon.
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Many do not know or forget that it was not until 1960 that Dr. Belding Scribner (University of Washington) and his colleagues created the first Scribner shunt. Although it was a simple device made of Teflon it prevented Chronic Kidney Disease/Failure from being a "death sentence." It was not until two years after (1962) that Northwest Kidney Centers was founded to bring the then new life saving treatment to Dialysis patients. The facility began with just three beds. Now there are over 500,000 patients who safely conduct Dialysis, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Wow, what a positive change!
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In the words of the Science Historian, James Burke, "You can only know where you're going if you know where you've been." The sentiment certainly rings true at the Dialysis Museum at Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle which boasts a 22-foot timeline and a gallery of photos of people who have influenced kidney treatment. The museum is also home to more than a dozen dialysis machines through the ages.
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Ultimately, the Northwest Kidney Centers Dialysis Museum shows the history of Dialysis through machines and photographs including some early hospital models from the 1940s, and home and travel machines from the 1960s. Many patients may find the one-of-a-kind devices created with spare parts quite fascinating such as a “traveling kidney” in a suitcase or the machines which are the size of a refrigerator.
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With all of these great medical advances within the Dialysis community specifically, what exciting possibilities for the future. Modern technology is advancing even faster than it was able to over 50 years ago, that is why news from the Implantable Artificial Kidney Corporation that they are expecting Human Trials for the Artificial Implantable Kidney to begin within the next 5 to 6 years is so exciting!
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If you would like to organize a tour to the Dialysis Museum at Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle then fill out the below form for more details. Also, fill in the below information if you are unable to visit the Dialysis Museum but would like more information. For the most up-to-date, Breaking News & Exclusive Information which teaches Chronic Kidney Disease patients how to better manage their lives, turn every day to KidneyBuzz.com first.
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References:
"Dialysis Museum." Http://www.nwkidney.org/. Northwest Kidney Centers.
"10 Reasons to Visit a Museum." Http://colleendilen.com. Know Your Own Bone.
"Like It Weird? There’s a Museum for That." Http://seattletimes.com. The Seattle Times.
