Automated Fluid Line Connection for Sterile Dialysis Cassette Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and size of past machines and associated disposables for Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) modalities have dampened widespread patient acceptance, necessitating improvements in fluid handling systems for peritoneal dialysis to enhance usability and reduce contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
The development of a disposable fluid handling cassette with integrated pump chambers, flowpaths, and a flexible membrane, along with automated connection mechanisms, minimizes human interaction and reduces contamination risks by ensuring sterile line connections and efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional peritoneal dialysis machines and disposables are used, then fluid handling capability is sufficient, but device complexity and size increase, reducing patient acceptance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a reusable cycler unit and a disposable fluid handling cassette. The cassette contains all fluid management components (reservoirs, pump chambers, flowpaths, membranes) that are discarded after a single use, while the cycler performs only the control and pumping functions. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the disposable portion and improves patient acceptance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a single-use disposable cassette that is discarded after one treatment session. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance procedures, significantly reducing device complexity from the user perspective while maintaining full functionality during the treatment period.
2Ease of operation
If manual drain and fill procedures are used, then patient can perform dialysis, but procedure time increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable cassette is pre-assembled with all fluid pathways, connections, and pump chambers in place before sterilization. The system automatically performs fluid management operations without requiring manual intervention for connection/disconnection of lines, reducing both procedure time and contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If automated connection mechanisms are implemented, then contamination risk decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
All fluid connections, pump chambers, and flowpaths are pre-assembled and pre-sterilized in the disposable cassette before use. The automated connection mechanism simply attaches the pre-prepared cassette to the cycler, ensuring sterile connections without requiring complex real-time assembly mechanisms during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical infusion fluid handling system, such as an automated peritoneal dialysis system, may be arranged to de-cap and connect one or more lines (such as solution lines) with one or more spikes or other connection ports on a fluid handling cassette. This feature may reduce a likelihood of contamination since no human interaction is required to de-cap and connect the one or more lines and the one or more spikes. For example, the automated peritoneal dialysis system may include a carriage arranged to receive the one or more lines each having a connector end and a cap. The carriage may move along a first direction so as to move the connector ends of the one or more lines along the first direction, and a cap stripper may be arranged to engage with the caps on the one or more lines on the carriage. The cap stripper may move in a second direction transverse to the first direction, as well as to move with the carriage along the first direction.