Hemodialysis is an extracorporeal blood purification technique used for patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency who are not able to receive a kidney transplant. About 2.6 million patients worldwide depend on long-term renal replacement therapies.

The number of patients worldwide is increasing by about 7% annually. Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East are experiencing even higher growth rates, up to 10%. Hemodialysis and acute blood purification belong to the category of extracorporeal blood purification techniques. Hemodialysis is the most widely used form of therapy, with a share of 89%.