Blood Circuit Closed-Loop Drainage After Extracorporeal Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for emptying a blood circuit after extracorporeal blood treatment involve risks of blood and saline solution spillage and require specialized line sets, increasing operational costs and logistical challenges for dialysis clinics.

Innovation Solution

A control system and method using a conventional line set to form a closed loop with a container having multiple ports, enabling automated draining of residual fluid by circulating it through the container, facilitated by a three-way manifold coupling unit or branch lines for controlled venting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a specialized line set with dedicated branch tube is used to drain the blood circuit, then the drainage effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage effectivenessVSAvoidline set complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the conventional line set to perform multiple functions: it can be configured to form a closed loop for drainage purposes using existing components (withdrawal line, return line, and container ports) without requiring specialized dedicated components. This allows the same line set to serve both during treatment and for post-treatment drainage operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the drainage function from the treatment function by separating the drainage operation into a distinct phase that uses the same line set components in a different configuration. The container with multiple ports is used to temporarily hold and facilitate drainage of residual blood, extracting the drainage operation from the treatment protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If conventional line set is used to drain the blood circuit, then the ease of operation and cost are improved, but the drainage effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddrainage effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the container with multiple ports and configuring the line set in advance to form a closed loop before the drainage operation begins. The container is pre-positioned and the line set is pre-configured, so that when drainage is needed, the system is already prepared and can be activated immediately without complex assembly during the drainage process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the container with multiple ports as an intermediary device that facilitates drainage. The container serves as a mediator between the line set and the residual blood in the circuit, providing a controlled environment for drainage while maintaining simplicity of operation. The multiple ports on the container enable controlled fluid communication during the drainage phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If specialized line set with dedicated branch tube is used, then the drainage control is improved, but the ease of manufacture and storage requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage controlVSAvoidlogistical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for specialized line sets by making the conventional line set universal for both treatment and drainage operations. The same withdrawal line, return line, and container ports are used to achieve drainage control, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing logistical requirements for dialysis clinics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes disposable conventional line sets and single-use containers that can be easily manufactured and discarded. This approach avoids the need for expensive, complex specialized line sets that would require dedicated storage and handling infrastructure. The simplicity of the components reduces both manufacturing complexity and logistical burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Device complexity

If manual draining procedure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and time efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddrainage speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to perform drainage automatically without requiring complex manual intervention. The control system automatically manages the drainage process by controlling fluid communication between the container ports and the line set, allowing the system to service itself and eliminating the need for complex manual draining procedures while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms in the control system to monitor and regulate the drainage process. Pressure sensors and flow monitoring enable the control system to adjust drainage parameters automatically, improving productivity while keeping the overall system simple. The feedback loop ensures efficient drainage without requiring complex manual control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Reduces the risk of spillage and operational costs by effectively draining the blood circuit using a simple and conventional line set, ensuring efficient disposal of residual fluid while minimizing equipment handling and storage needs.

Implementation Method 1

a second flow circuit which is separated from the first flow circuit by a semi-permeable membrane of the dialyzer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSemipermeable membrane separation: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

a blood pump of the apparatus is operated to pump the patient's blood through the blood circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven fluid circulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

one or more pressure sensors of the apparatus are connected in fluid communication with the line set to monitor the pressure in the blood circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

a dialyzer and a line set with tubing for defining an extracorporeal blood circuit for conducting blood from a patient, through the dialyzer and back to the patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12478719B2Emptying a blood circuit after extracorporeal blood treatment
Publication Date: 2025.11.25 GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
  • US12478719B2 patent drawing
  • US12478719B2 patent drawing
  • US12478719B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A blood treatment apparatus (1) defines first and second flow circuits (C1, C2) separated by a dialyzer (20). The second flow circuit (C2) comprises return and withdrawal lines (24′, 24″) for connection to a vascular system of a subject during a treatment session. After the treatment session, a control system causes an operator to connect the second flow circuit (C2) to a first port (32) of a container (30), the apparatus (1) to perform a rinseback procedure, the operator to disconnect the return line (24′) from the vascular system and re-arrange the second flow circuit (C2) to define a closed loop, and the apparatus (1) to draw residual liquid from the closed loop into the first flow circuit (C1) through a dialyzer membrane (21). To facilitate drainage of the residual fluid with a conventional line set, the second flow circuit (C2) is connected to a second port (33) of the container (30) to include the container (30) in the closed loop, or the return and withdrawal lines (24′, 24″) are connected in fluid communication with the first port of the container (30) through a three-way manifold coupling unit.