A liver support system or diachysis is a therapeutic device to assist in performing the functions of the liver in persons with liver damage. Such systems focus either on removing the accumulating toxins (liver dialysis), or providing additional replacement of the metabolic functions of the liver through the inclusion of hepatocytes to the device (bioartificial liver device). The artificial extracorporeal liver support these systems provide are being trialled to help people with acute liver failure (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure.