Blood Treatment Device Position-Based Dewatering Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood treatment methods, such as hemodialysis, often lead to cardiovascular complications due to unpredictable liquid withdrawal rates, which can cause hypotension crises, especially when patients change positions during treatment.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that adjust the drainage rate based on the patient's position, using sensors to determine the position and control the ultrafiltration rate to maintain optimal plasma volume and prevent cardiovascular stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a constant drainage rate is used during blood treatment, then treatment efficiency is improved, but cardiovascular complications occur when patients change positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidcardiovascular stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage rate is made dynamically adjustable based on patient position detection. The system transitions from a static constant drainage rate to a dynamic rate that adapts to patient movements, using sensors to detect position changes and automatically adjusting the ultrafiltration pump to maintain cardiovascular stability while preserving treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring patient position through sensors and using this information to adjust the drainage rate. The feedback loop ensures that when position changes are detected, the drainage rate is automatically modified to prevent hypotension crises, thereby maintaining both treatment efficiency and cardiovascular safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the drainage rate is reduced to prevent cardiovascular complications, then patient safety is improved, but treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic adjustment of the drainage rate based on real-time position detection. When the patient is in a safe position (lying down), the drainage rate is increased to maintain treatment efficiency. When position changes indicate risk of hypotension, the rate is temporarily reduced. This dynamic approach prevents unnecessary time loss while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting position changes before cardiovascular complications occur. By anticipating potential hypotension risks through position monitoring, the system proactively adjusts the drainage rate to prevent complications, avoiding the need for subsequent rate reductions that would extend treatment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If position monitoring and automatic drainage rate adjustment is implemented, then cardiovascular stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiovascular stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces position sensors as an intermediary component that bridges patient position information and the drainage control system. This intermediary detects position changes and translates them into control signals for the ultrafiltration pump, enabling automatic adjustment without requiring complex direct integration between all system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting position changes and adjusting the drainage rate without requiring manual intervention from medical staff. The automated control system monitors patient position and independently makes drainage rate adjustments, reducing the burden on operators while maintaining cardiovascular stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach reduces the occurrence of cardiovascular problems and hypotension crises by precisely managing liquid withdrawal, allowing for safer and more efficient blood treatment, even when patients change positions, and can shorten treatment times.

Implementation Method 1

Due to a concentration gradient between the dialysis fluid and the patient's blood, corresponding substances are transported through the semipermeable membrane due to diffusion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

Larger molecules whose diffusion speed is very low can also be transported convectively through the semipermeable membrane by means of a liquid flow from the blood side to the dialysis liquid side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

certain substances are filtered off through a membrane of a dialysis filter due to a pressure gradient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient filtration: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

The removal of water from the patient's blood due to a pressure difference across the dialysis membrane is referred to as ultrafiltration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrafiltration: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2760499B1Device and system for treating the blood of a patient
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2760499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2760499B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2760499B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for treating the blood of a patient (2), comprising dewatering of the blood of the patient (2) at an adjustable dewatering rate, wherein the position of the patient (2) is determined and the dewatering rate is set and controlled in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner according to the determined position of the patient (2). The invention further relates to a device for treating the blood of a patient (2), comprising a blood treatment device (1) for dewatering the blood of the patient (2) at an adjustable dewatering rate, characterized by position determining means (40, 42, 44, 46) for determining the position of the patient (2), wherein the dewatering rate can be set and controlled in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner according to the determined position of the patient.