Blood Pump with Fluid-Driven Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-needle blood treatment apparatuses face challenges with optimal fluid flow and practicality, particularly in self-care settings, due to intricate designs and the risk of infection from blood pressure measurement on the blood side.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus uses blood treatment fluid as the working fluid for blood pumps, allowing pressure measurement through the fluid conduit, eliminating the need for blood-side pressure measuring means and reducing the risk of infection, with a design that facilitates cyclic processes for efficient blood extraction and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood pressure measurement is performed on the blood side using blood pressure measuring means, then blood pressure can be monitored, but the risk of infection and contamination of blood increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-blood fluid as an intermediary medium that transmits blood pressure indirectly to the pressure sensor. The membrane separates blood from the sensor while allowing pressure transmission, thus eliminating direct contact between the sensor and blood, preventing infection risk while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement system into two separate domains: the blood side (isolated by membrane) and the sensor side (non-blood fluid). This segmentation allows pressure information to be transmitted while maintaining physical separation and preventing contamination pathways
2Productivity
If separate circuits for working fluid and body treatment fluid are used, then fluid flow control is improved, but the apparatus design becomes intricate and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the working fluid circuit multi-functional by having it serve both as the driving fluid for the blood pump and as the medium for pressure measurement. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits while maintaining effective fluid flow control and pressure monitoring capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the working fluid circuit with the pressure measurement function, combining what would traditionally be separate systems into one integrated circuit. The working fluid serves dual purposes: pump actuation and pressure sensing, thereby reducing overall system complexity
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
This solution enhances patient safety, user friendliness, and reduces the risk of blood leakage and contamination, making the apparatus more suitable for self-care environments with efficient fluid flow and simplified operation.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane, which is configured to separate the blood from the non-blood fluid and to transmit a pressure of the blood to the non-blood fluid
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes a blood treatment unit (8), at least one fluid pump (14, 15) and at least one blood pump (1a, 1b). The fluid pumps (14, 15) are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit (8), while the blood pumps (1a, 1b) are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source (S), e.g. a patient), pass the extracted blood through the blood treatment unit (8) and deliver treated blood to a target vessel (T), e.g. likewise represented by a patient. Each blood pump (1a, 1b) includes a pumping chamber, which is separated into a first accumulation container (9b, 9b') and a second accumulation container (9c, 9c') by a flexible member (9a, 9a'). The flexible member (9a, 9a') is further movable within the pumping chamber so as to vary a volume relationship between the first and second accumulation containers (9b, 9c; 9b', 9c'). The second accumulation container (9c, 9c') is configured to receive an amount of blood treatment fluid to act on the flexible member (9a, 9a') and thus pump blood from the first accumulation container (9b, 9b').