APD Machine Prescription Recall and Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) devices lack the capability to provide feedback on therapy effectiveness and adjust parameters based on actual measured data, leading to inadequate solute clearance and ultrafiltration, resulting in conditions like fluid overload and hypertension, with current methods relying heavily on patient reporting and clinician adjustment.

Innovation Solution

An automated peritoneal dialysis system with prescription optimization modules, including an advanced peritoneal equilibration test (PET) for accurate ultrafiltration data collection, regimen generation using patient physiological data, and inventory tracking, trending, and alert generation to optimize therapy prescriptions and supply management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If APD devices run open loop without feedback capability, then device complexity is reduced, but therapy effectiveness deteriorates leading to inadequate solute clearance and ultrafiltration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the APD device measures actual ultrafiltration and solute clearance parameters, compares them against target values, and automatically adjusts therapy parameters (fill volumes, dwell times, exchange frequencies) to achieve therapeutic goals. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining high therapy effectiveness while managing device complexity through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-adjustment of therapy parameters based on real-time performance data. The device autonomously monitors its own therapy delivery, detects deviations from targets, and modifies subsequent treatments without requiring external intervention, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing the operational burden on patients and clinicians.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If therapy parameters are not adjusted based on actual measured data, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases leading to inadequate therapy customization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloss of therapy response informationVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures actual ultrafiltration volumes and solute clearance rates, feeding this information back to the control algorithm. This enables the device to learn from actual patient response and customize therapy parameters accordingly, preventing information loss while maintaining ease of operation through automated data collection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual therapy adjustment mechanisms with automated electronic control systems that use sensors, processors, and communication modules to collect, analyze, and act on therapy response data. This substitution eliminates the need for manual tracking and adjustment, preserving information while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If patient reports to center frequently for evaluation, then measurement precision of therapy effectiveness is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to travel and scheduling constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precision of therapy effectivenessVSAvoidloss of time for patient and clinician
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The APD device autonomously performs continuous monitoring and measurement of therapy effectiveness parameters, eliminating the need for frequent clinical visits. The system self-collects data on ultrafiltration, solute clearance, and other relevant metrics, providing precise measurements without requiring patient travel or clinician time for routine evaluations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person clinical evaluations with remote electronic monitoring and data transmission. Sensors and communication modules enable continuous measurement and wireless transmission of therapy data to clinicians, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating time losses associated with travel and scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple prescription options are generated and tracked, then adaptability of therapy to patient needs is improved, but device complexity increases due to prescription management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of therapy prescriptionVSAvoiddevice complexity of prescription management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic prescription management where multiple therapy regimens are stored and can be automatically switched based on real-time performance data and patient needs. The control algorithm dynamically selects and adjusts between prescriptions, enabling adaptability while managing complexity through automated decision-making and parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2320971B1Dialysis system and machine having therapy prescription recall
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 VANTIVE US HEALTHCARE LLC
  • EP2320971B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2320971B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2320971B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

In one embodiment an automated peritoneal dialysis ("APD") machine (104) includes: at least one pump; a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient; and an input device (160) operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the is APD machine.