Blood Purification Apparatus Layout Flexibility via Transfer Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing blood purification apparatus has limited flexibility in the layout of dialysate and substitution-fluid storage due to the need for dialysate and substitution fluid to be supported at high positions, which restricts the degree of freedom in their arrangement.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates dialysate and substitution-fluid transfer pumps, along with a control unit, to manage the transfer of liquids to temporary chambers, eliminating the need for high support positions and allowing for greater layout flexibility, and includes a drain-liquid transfer pump and control unit to manage drain liquids, enhancing layout freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dialysate and substitution fluid are supported at high positions to utilize height-position difference for liquid transfer, then liquid transfer is achieved, but the degree of freedom in layout of storage bags is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravitational mechanical system (height-position difference) with an active pumping system. Transfer pumps are installed in the dialysate introduction line and substitution line to actively transfer dialysate and substitution fluid from storage bags to temporary chambers, eliminating the need for high-position support and enabling flexible layout arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transfer pumps as intermediary devices between the storage bags and temporary chambers. These pumps act as mediators that enable liquid transfer without requiring direct gravitational flow, thus decoupling the layout constraints from the transfer function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transfer pumps are introduced to enable flexible layout, then layout freedom is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the blood pump, dialysate introduction pump, substitution pump, and transfer pumps simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each pump, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining layout flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple pumps into a single control unit. By combining the control of transfer pumps with existing pump controls, the system minimizes additional complexity while achieving the desired layout flexibility.
3Reliability
If high support positions are used for storage bags, then liquid flow is ensured, but the positions of supporting storage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the passive gravitational flow system with an active pump-driven flow system. Transfer pumps ensure reliable liquid flow from storage bags to temporary chambers regardless of position, eliminating the requirement for high support positions and enabling free arrangement of storage bag locations.
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 configuration ensures efficient liquid transfer and increased flexibility in the layout of storage units, preventing liquid shortages and simplifying the replacement of storage bags, while maintaining efficient dialysis treatment by controlling flow rates and detecting full chamber conditions without the need for liquid-level sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a dialysate transfer pump provided to a first dialysate introduction line and that transfers dialysate in a dialysate storage to a dialysate temporary chamber
Implementation Method 2
a substitution-fluid transfer pump provided to a substitution line and that transfers substitution fluid in a substitution-fluid storage to a substitution-fluid temporary chamber
Implementation Method 3
a drain-liquid transfer pump provided to a drain-liquid drain line and that transfers drain liquid in a drain-liquid temporary chamber to outside the apparatus
Implementation Method 4
hemodialysis (HD) in which dialysate is made to flow through dialysate flow routes provided in the blood purifier and substances in the blood are removed by the effect of diffusion through blood purification membranes
Implementation Method 5
hemofiltration (HF) in which water and substances in the blood are removed by the effect of ultrafiltration pressure generated in the blood purifier
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a blood purification apparatus that includes a blood circuit including an arterial blood circuit and a venous blood circuit and that allows a patient's blood to extracorporeally circulate, with a blood purifier that is interposed between the arterial blood circuit and the venous blood circuit and purifies; a dialysate temporary chamber that temporarily stores dialysate received from a dialysate storage supported by a supporting unit; a substitution-fluid temporary chamber that temporarily stores substitution fluid received from a substitution-fluid storage supported by the supporting unit; a first dialysate introduction line through which the dialysate in the dialysate storage flows into the dialysate temporary chamber; and a substitution line through which the substitution fluid in the substitution-fluid storage flows into the substitution-fluid temporary chamber. The blood purification apparatus includes a dialysate transfer pump provided to the first dialysate introduction line and that transfers the dialysate in the dialysate storage to the dialysate temporary chamber, a substitution-fluid transfer pump provided to the substitution line and that transfers the substitution fluid in the substitution-fluid storage to the substitution-fluid temporary chamber, and a control unit that controls the dialysate transfer pump and the substitution-fluid transfer pump.