Two-Part Acidic Dialysis Concentrate System for Stable Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing dialysis concentrates are complex, costly, and pose chemical and physical stability issues, leading to high transportation and storage expenses, as well as classification challenges as dangerous goods, due to the use of volatile acids and poor pH management, which affects the stability and usability of dialysis solutions.

Innovation Solution

A two-part super concentrate (SK) is developed, where glucose is mixed with water in a specific ratio as a slurry with pH adjustment, and other components are diluted separately to maintain an acetic acid concentration below 10%, allowing for stable storage and easy mixing to form a dialysis concentrate, reducing volume and enhancing solubility efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If liquid acid concentrates are used for dialysis fluid production, then the dialysis fluid can be produced on-site, but the concentrates are classified as dangerous goods requiring special handling and storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon-site production capabilityVSAvoidchemical safety classification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the acid concentrate from conventional levels to a super-concentrated form (at least 5 times more concentrated than conventional concentrates). This parameter change allows the acid to be stabilized and classified as non-dangerous goods while maintaining the capability for on-site dialysis fluid production when diluted with water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition concept by transforming the acid concentrate into a super-concentrated form that changes its safety classification from dangerous to non-dangerous goods. This phase transition in concentration level enables safer transportation and storage while preserving the functional capability for on-site use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional acid concentrates are used, then the dialysis fluid production is straightforward, but transportation and storage costs are high due to dangerous goods classification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidtransportation and storage costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the concentration parameter to super-concentrated form, the patent reduces the volume of material that needs to be transported and stored by at least 5 times compared to conventional concentrates. This parameter change directly reduces transportation and storage costs while maintaining production simplicity through the same dilution process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of stationary object

If high concentration of acetic acid is used in super concentrate, then the volume is reduced for transport, but it may be classified as dangerous goods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoiddangerous goods classification
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and applies the critical concentration threshold parameter change. By formulating the super concentrate at a specific high concentration that remains below the dangerous goods classification threshold (maintaining acetic acid content controlled to avoid classification), the patent achieves volume reduction by at least 5 times while avoiding dangerous goods classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If glucose is stored with strong acids in the same container, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but chemical stability problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process complexityVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter change by controlling the pH value and acid concentration within specific ranges that prevent harmful chemical reactions between glucose and acetic acid. This parameter control ensures chemical stability during storage while maintaining a simplified single-container manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-adjusting the pH value and acid concentration to levels that prevent chemical degradation of glucose before storage occurs. This preliminary control of chemical parameters prevents instability from developing during the storage period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The two-part SK system minimizes chemical reactions, ensures long-term stability, reduces transportation and storage costs, and facilitates simple production of dialysis concentrates that meet medical standards, while being classified as non-dangerous goods for transport.

Implementation Method 1

glucose is mixed with water in a specific ratio as a slurry with pH adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Implementation Method 2

other components are diluted separately to maintain an acetic acid concentration below 10%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDilution:

Implementation Method 3

The toxins from the blood are diffused into the DF and the substances from the DF into the blood through small membrane pores

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2647397B1Acidic concentrate for dialysis
Publication Date: 2014.10.08 VOLKER MANFRED

AI summary

The precursor of an acidic dialysis concentrate is characterized in that two separately provided partial concentrates are formed from the ingredients of the acidic dialysis concentrate, wherein only one partial concentrate contains glucose, preferably glucose monohydrate, while the other partial concentrate has other ingredients required for the acidic dialysis concentrate.