Automated Blood Treatment Device Control System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling blood treatment devices after completion of treatment are inefficient and prone to human error, requiring manual intervention and potentially compromising hygiene and safety.

Innovation Solution

An automated method for controlling blood treatment devices, involving steps such as closing patient hose clamps, conveying dialysis fluid, and using a dialysis fluid pump to manage the extracorporeal blood circuit, which includes a blood filter with a membrane separating blood and dialysis fluid chambers, to facilitate rinsing and preparation for subsequent use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual methods are used to control blood treatment device after treatment, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption and risk of human error increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of post-treatment proceduresVSAvoidtime required for rinsing and preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically executes the rinsing and preparation method without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates by automatically closing clamps, activating pumps, controlling fluid flow rates, and monitoring process parameters, thereby eliminating human error and reducing time consumption while maintaining procedural flexibility through programmable sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated control is implemented for post-treatment procedures, then time efficiency and precision are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of procedure executionVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device integrates multiple functions into a single automated system that can perform clamp actuation, pump control, fluid flow regulation, and process monitoring. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations, achieving high reliability through automation while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual intervention is required for post-treatment procedures, then ease of operation is maintained, but hygiene and safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene and safety risksVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic control. Electronic signals actuate clamps, control pumps, and regulate fluid flow, eliminating the need for physical manual manipulation of blood treatment components. This substitution maintains ease of operation through simple interface interaction while dramatically improving hygiene and safety by preventing human contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and fluids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 automated method reduces the time and effort required for post-treatment procedures, minimizes human error, improves hygiene by avoiding repeated sterilization, and enhances safety by ensuring proper sequence and timing of operations, allowing for efficient transition to a safe state.

Implementation Method 1

conveying dialysis fluid using the dialysis fluid pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

The membrane separates a blood chamber from a dialysis fluid chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMembrane separation: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP3021889B1A control device configured to control a method for controlling a blood treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3021889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3021889B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a blood treatment device (1) in order to automatically set the device to a certain state after the treatment of a patient (35) has been concluded, said treatment being carried out using said device (1). The invention additionally relates to a control and regulating device and a treatment device. The invention further relates to a computer program, a computer program product, and a digital storage medium.