Blood Treatment Apparatus Controller for Automated Disconnection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood treatment apparatuses face inefficiencies and safety risks during the disconnection process, as operators must manually handle blood lines, risking exposure to blood and requiring multiple connections/disconnections, which can lead to contamination and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A blood treatment apparatus with a controller that manages a four-phase blood restitution process, including ascertaining blood presence, applying pressure to ensure no air is present, and safely emptying the arterial line using infusion liquid, thereby automating the disconnection process and reducing operator exposure to blood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual blood restitution procedure is used, then operator can control the process, but operator is exposed to blood contact risk and requires multiple connections/disconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The blood restitution process is divided into four distinct phases (Phase 1: arterial line filling verification, Phase 2: venous line emptying, Phase 3: air presence verification, Phase 4: arterial line emptying), allowing automated control of each phase while maintaining overall process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure sensors and flow detectors to continuously monitor blood line status and provide feedback to the controller, enabling automated decision-making for phase transitions without requiring complex manual intervention
2Productivity
If manual disconnection is performed, then flexibility is maintained, but time is lost due to multiple operations and reconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of blood line filling status before initiating the restitution process, and uses pre-programmed phase sequences to eliminate time-consuming manual reconnections and operations
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system maintains continuous blood flow control throughout the restitution process, eliminating interruptions and repeated connections/disconnections that occur in manual procedures
3Reliability
If conventional air detectors are used, then air presence can be detected, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors as intermediary devices to indirectly detect air presence in the blood lines, avoiding the need for complex conventional air detectors while maintaining reliable detection through pressure anomaly analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical air detection systems with a controller-based monitoring system that uses pressure and flow data to detect air presence, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining detection reliability
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 enhances efficiency and safety by automating the blood restitution process, minimizing the need for manual reconnections and reducing contamination risks, while potentially reducing costs by avoiding the use of conventional air detectors.
Implementation Method 1
a blood pump connected to the arterial chamber and arranged to provide blood from the arterial chamber via a blood treatment device towards the venous chamber
Implementation Method 2
The arterial and venous chambers 10, 12 have the purpose of forming a buffer for the blood such that the arterial and venous lines 2, 4 are blood filled during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A blood treatment apparatus (100) for extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an arterial line (102) and a venous line (104) for connecting to a patient, wherein an arterial clamp (106) is arranged on the arterial line (102) for selectable clamping and unclamping of the arterial line (102); an arterial chamber (110) for connecting to the arterial line; a venous chamber (112) for connecting to the venous line; a blood pump (116) connected to the arterial chamber (110) and for providing blood via a blood treatment device (118) towards the venous chamber (112); an infusion liquid port (120) for connection of a infusion liquid source; and a controller (114) arranged to control the apparatus. A method for controlling the apparatus and a computer program for the controller are also disclosed.