haemodialysis

Definition haemodialysis

haemodialysis: haemodialysis n. a technique od removing waste materials or poisons from the blood using the priciple of *dialypatients whose kidneys have ceased to function; the process takes place in an artificial kidney, or dialyser. A stream of blood taken from an artery is circulated through the dialyser on the side of a semipermeable membrane, while a solution of similar electrolytic composition to the patient's blood circulates on the other side. Water and waste products from the patient's blood filter through the membrane, whose pores are too small to allow passage of blood cells and proteins. The purified blood is then returned to the patient's body through a vein.