Inflatable Bladder Dialysis Pumping Without Rigid Cassettes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated peritoneal dialysis machines are complex, costly, and require disposable sets with rigid pumping cassettes and intricate pneumatic mechanisms, which increase the overall expense and complexity of the treatment.
Innovation Solution
An automated peritoneal dialysis machine uses expandable bladders inflated with air to drive fluid flow, eliminating the need for a rigid cassette and complex pneumatic mechanisms, and incorporates a control unit to manage fluid flow through a simple and cost-effective disposable set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid cassette with complex pneumatic mechanisms is used, then reliable fluid pumping is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rigid cassette structure and complex pneumatic mechanisms from the system. Instead of using a rigid cassette with internal pneumatic pumps, the invention uses flexible bags containing fluid that are directly inflated and deflated by a simple air pump, removing unnecessary structural complexity while maintaining fluid pumping functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pneumatic pumping systems with a simpler pneumatic inflation/deflation mechanism. Instead of using rigid pneumatic pumps with valves and chambers, the system uses a single air pump that inflates flexible bags to drive fluid flow, substituting complex mechanical pumping with simpler pneumatic pressure changes
2Reliability
If a rigid cassette with intricate pneumatic mechanisms is used, then effective fluid management is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable flexible bags that replace expensive rigid cassettes. These flexible bags are simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and discarded after use, eliminating the need for costly rigid structures and complex pneumatic mechanisms while maintaining effective fluid management
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the complex rigid cassette after use and recovers through the simple flexible bag design. The flexible bags are inexpensive enough to discard after a single use, eliminating the need to recover and reuse complex mechanical components, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs
3Extent of automation
If a rigid cassette with complex logic circuits is used, then automated fluid flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the flexible bags automatically inflate and deflate in response to pressure changes, eliminating the need for complex logic circuits. The system uses simple pressure-sensitive switches that automatically trigger pump operation when bag pressure reaches certain thresholds, allowing the system to control itself without intricate programming
4Reliability
If manual peritoneal dialysis is used, then treatment effectiveness is maintained, but time consumption and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous automated dialysis treatment that operates without interruption. The automated system continuously performs fluid exchange cycles, eliminating the need for manual intervention between cycles and maintaining continuous treatment effectiveness, thereby reducing the total time and effort required compared to manual methods
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 solution simplifies the dialysis process by reducing costs and complexity, eliminating the need for a rigid cassette and complex logic circuits, while maintaining effective fluid management and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
As the expandable bladder is inflated with air, the bladder and the opposite wall apply a compressive force to the fluid-filled bag or container to drive fluid out of the bag or container
Implementation Method 2
The heater housing may also include a heater for heating the fluid in the bag or container positioned in the compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A peritoneal dialysis system includes a cycler having one or more air pump; a slotted housing including a plurality of slots each having a first side and a second side, wherein each respective slot of the plurality of slots includes a first expandable bladder fixed to the first side, and wherein each respective slot of the plurality of slots is configured to receive a fluid supply bag between the first expandable bladder and the second side, and a heater housing sized to hold a second expandable bladder, and wherein the heater housing is configured to receive a fluid heater bag adjacent to the second expandable bladder, wherein the one or more air pump is in fluid communication with the respective first expandable bladders and the second expandable bladder; and a disposable set operable with the cycler.