Yoshihiro Tange, Ph.D.

Department of Advanced Medical Sciences,

Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Japan

 

Abstract

“Recent Advancements in Biomedical Engineering:Development of Artificial Kidneys and International Transfer of Supporting Biomedical Engineering Technologies”

 

 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects nearly 10% of the global population and represents a growing public health challenge worldwide. The number of patients requiring hemodialysis is projected to reach approximately 5.4 million by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for further technological innovations in renal replacement therapy.

Hemodialyzers play a central role in blood purification; however, their performance is often compromised by membrane fouling, a phenomenon caused by the adsorption and accumulation of blood proteins on membrane surfaces during treatment. Fouling increases mass transfer resistance and reduces the efficiency of uremic toxin removal. Therefore, understanding and mitigating fouling remains a critical issue in the advancement of artificial kidney technologies.

In this lecture, recent findings on membrane fouling and dialysis membrane performance will be presented from a biomedical engineering perspective. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between membrane fouling, biocompatibility, and the quality of dialysis fluid. Although hemodialyzers are strictly regulated as single-use medical devices in Japan, reuse practices continue in some countries and regions. The lecture will discuss how ultrapure dialysis fluid contributes to patient safety, treatment efficacy, and the long-term sustainability of dialysis therapy.

In addition to technological developments in artificial kidneys, the latter part of the lecture will highlight biomedical engineering education initiatives conducted through a long-standing academic partnership between Japan and Thailand. Over the past fifteen years, these collaborative activities have promoted capacity building, knowledge exchange, and human resource development in biomedical engineering across the Asia-Pacific region.

By integrating advances in artificial kidney technology with international educational collaboration, this keynote lecture aims to demonstrate how biomedical engineering can contribute not only to innovative healthcare solutions but also to the cultivation of the next generation of biomedical engineers. It is hoped that this presentation will further strengthen academic partnerships between Japan and Thailand and promote future international collaboration in biomedical engineering.

 

 

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Yoshihiro Tange is a Lecturer in the Department of Advanced Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Japan. He earned extensive clinical experience as a Clinical Engineer before transitioning to academia, where his work has focused on renal replacement therapies, dialysis engineering, medical device technology, and biomedical engineering education.

Professional Experience

  • 2022-Present
    Lecturer, Department of Advanced Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Japan
  • 2008-2022
    Faculty Member, Department of Medical Engineering, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Miyazaki, Japan
  • 2002-2008
    Clinical Engineer, Nagoya Memorial Foundation (Nagoya, Japan) and Seiyoukai Hemodialysis Clinic (Okayama, Japan)

Research Interests

 

  • Artificial kidney technologies and renal replacement therapies
  • Hemodialysis membrane performance and biocompatibility
  • Dialysis fluid purification systems
  • Clinical engineering and medical device management
  • Biomedical engineering education and international collaboration