Air-Diverting Filter Set for Peritoneal Dialysis Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an effective and low-cost method to sterilize peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid before delivery to a patient, as PD fluid is injected into the peritoneal cavity and must be sterile, and existing systems may require additional sterilization beyond standard bag sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A peritoneal dialysis system with a PD machine or cycler that pumps PD fluid through a patient line using a filter set, which includes a filter membrane to sterilize fresh PD fluid and an air diverting net to remove air before it reaches the membrane, allowing used PD fluid to pass without clogging, and an air return line to redirect air back to the machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter membrane is used to sterilize PD fluid, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the risk of membrane clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air diverting net is positioned upstream of the filter membrane to remove air bubbles from the PD fluid before they can reach and clog the membrane. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect (clogging) before it occurs, allowing the filter membrane to maintain its sterilization function without being compromised by air bubble accumulation.
2Reliability
If air is removed from PD fluid, then the safety for patient use is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air diverting net utilizes a porous or mesh structure that allows air bubbles to be diverted and removed from the PD fluid while the fluid itself passes through. This porous material approach provides an effective air removal mechanism without requiring complex mechanical systems, maintaining device simplicity while improving patient safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an air diverting net is added to remove air, then the prevention of membrane clogging is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air diverting net is integrated into the existing filter set assembly, merging the air removal function with the filtration function. By combining these two functions into a single integrated component rather than adding a separate complex air removal system, the device complexity is minimized while still providing effective membrane clogging prevention.
4Reliability
If PD fluid is filtered through a membrane, then the sterilization is improved, but the fluid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing air bubbles from the PD fluid before it reaches the filter membrane, the air diverting net prevents air from accumulating and creating flow resistance. This preliminary air removal action ensures that the filter membrane operates with optimal fluid flow characteristics, maintaining sterilization effectiveness while minimizing energy loss due to flow resistance.
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 system effectively filters and sterilizes PD fluid, ensuring its safety for patient use while preventing membrane clogging and air accumulation, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of PD treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a filter set, which includes a filter membrane to sterilize fresh PD fluid
Implementation Method 2
an air diverting net to remove air before it reaches the membrane
Implementation Method 3
Waste, toxins and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream, through the capillaries in the peritoneal membrane, and into the PD fluid due to diffusion and osmosis
Implementation Method 4
an osmotic gradient occurs across the membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
A peritoneal dialysis ("PD") system (10) includes a PD machine (20); a patient line (50) extending from the PD machine (20); a filter set (100) in fluid communication with the patient line (50), the filter set (100) including an air diverting net (112) configured to divert air from PD fluid flowing through the filter set (100); and an air return line (58) positioned to return PD fluid containing air back to the PD machine (20).