Dialysis system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis systems are unsuitable for home use due to their large size, high energy consumption, water requirements, and complex flow-balancing technology, which limits their portability and flexibility, making in-center dialysis more prevalent.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable dialysis system that uses a microfluidic dialyzer and a water purification system to produce ultra-high-temperature-pasteurized water for dialysate, allowing for efficient ultrafiltration and hemodiafiltration processes, and can be connected to a residential water source for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If current dialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be performed, but the systems are too large and bulky to fit within a typical home
Solution Approach 1:
The dialysis system is divided into separate functional modules including a dialyzer unit, water purification system, and dialysate preparation system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates compact arrangement, enabling the overall system to fit within home environments while maintaining full dialysis functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional large-scale batch processing to continuous flow dialysis, fundamentally changing the operational dimension. This dimensional shift from batch to continuous operation enables significant reduction in system volume while maintaining treatment effectiveness, making home use feasible.
2Loss of energy
If current dialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be performed, but they consume large amounts of energy and water
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs continuous flow dialysis where dialysate and blood flow continuously through the dialyzer membrane, eliminating the need for repeated heating and cooling cycles associated with batch processing. This continuous operation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective toxin removal and fluid balance control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key operational parameters including operating at lower temperatures without batch heating/cooling cycles, using continuous low-flow dialysate instead of large-volume batch solutions, and operating at reduced pressure differentials. These parameter changes collectively reduce energy and water consumption while preserving dialysis efficacy.
3Volume of moving object
If home dialysis systems are made compact, then portability is improved, but complex flow-balancing technology becomes more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The dialysis system is designed to be self-regulating through passive flow balance mechanisms where the continuous circulation of dialysate and blood naturally equilibrates flow rates through the semi-permeable membrane. This eliminates the need for complex active flow-balancing technology with multiple sensors and actuators, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow-balancing systems with solenoid valves and electronic controls with a simpler passive hydraulic balance system. The continuous flow architecture allows flow equilibrium to be achieved through pressure and resistance matching in the fluid paths, eliminating the need for sophisticated mechanical flow control components.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If current dialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be performed, but they create high noise levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous low-amplitude pump operation instead of high-amplitude intermittent pumping. The peristaltic pumps run continuously at low speeds to maintain steady dialysate and blood flow, eliminating the noisy start-stop cycles and high-speed operation characteristic of traditional dialysis systems, thereby reducing noise while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
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 system provides a more flexible and energy-efficient dialysis solution for home use, reducing the need for large water batches and complex equipment, enabling better control over ultrafiltration and diafiltration processes while minimizing noise and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
produce ultra-high-temperature-pasteurized water for use in home dialysis
Implementation Method 2
the dialyzer having a membrane separating the stream of dialysate from the blood stream, the membrane facilitating dialysis of the blood stream
Implementation Method 3
enables better control over levels of ultrafiltration and diafiltration than do current systems
Implementation Method 4
enables better control over levels of ultrafiltration and diafiltration than do current systems
Data Source
AI summary
A dialysis system includes a filtration system capable of filtering a water stream, a water purification system capable of purifying said water stream in a non-batch process, a mixing system capable of producing a stream of dialysate from mixing one or more dialysate components with the water stream in a non-batch process, and a dialyzer system. The dialyzer may be a microfluidic dialyzer capable of being fluidly coupled to the stream of dialysate and a blood stream.