CRRT Blood Return Using Dialysis Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CRRT systems face challenges in effectively managing blood return procedures, leading to significant blood losses due to clotting and other issues, particularly during interruptions or at the end of treatment, which can result in complications such as hypovolemic shock and arrhythmia.
Innovation Solution
The development of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus that utilizes fluids already connected to the treatment apparatus for blood return, employing a control unit to monitor and control fluid flow using sensors, allowing for effective blood restitution by conveying blood from the extracorporeal circuit back to the patient using medical fluids like saline or dialysate, even during interruptions or at the end of treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blood return procedures are performed using separate infusion fluid containers and manual procedures, then blood can be returned to the patient, but the procedure becomes complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors leading to blood loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blood return function with the existing dialysis fluid circulation system. The dialysis fluid that is already connected to and circulating through the patient's vascular system is reused for blood return, eliminating the need for separate infusion fluid containers and manual return procedures. This integration simplifies the overall system while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialysis fluid circulation system is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary dialysis function and the secondary blood return function. The same fluid path, pumps, and control mechanisms used for dialysis are utilized to return blood to the patient, reducing procedural complexity and potential errors.
2Loss of substance
If blood return is performed manually with separate procedures, then some blood can be returned, but significant blood loss occurs due to clotting and procedural delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining the dialysis fluid circulation throughout the treatment period. When blood return is needed, the fluid is already in position and the system is already active, allowing immediate initiation of blood return without delays for setup or procedural preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialysis fluid circulation continues uninterrupted during treatment, and this continuous flow is leveraged for blood return when needed. The system maintains useful action throughout, eliminating idle periods where clotting could occur and blood loss could increase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If CRRT treatment is interrupted due to clotting or other issues, then treatment can be paused, but blood loss increases and complications such as hypovolemic shock and arrhythmia occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dialysis fluid acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates blood return during treatment interruptions. Rather than directly manipulating blood vessels or using separate transfusion equipment, the system uses the already-present dialysis fluid to carry blood back to the patient, reducing the risk of complications.
4Ease of operation
If separate infusion lines and containers are used for blood return, then blood can be restored to the patient, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blood return function with the existing dialysis fluid circuit, eliminating the need for separate infusion lines and containers. This merger simplifies the overall device architecture and makes the blood return procedure easier to operate 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
This approach increases the frequency and effectiveness of successful blood return procedures, reducing complications and ensuring safer patient care by utilizing existing treatment fluids to facilitate immediate and controlled blood return, even in critical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a treatment unit (10) comprising a semipermeable membrane, a first chamber, and a second chamber, the semipermeable membrane being configured for separating the first chamber from the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
a blood pump (22) active on the blood circuit; a replacement fluid pump (72) active on the pre-infusion line (70)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for CRRT is provided comprising a blood circuit (10, 20, 30, 60) with a blood removal line (20), a treatment unit (10), and a blood return line (30). A replacement fluid container (78) is configured for containing a medical fluid, a pre-infusion line (70) has a first end (70-1) connected to the replacement fluid container (78) and a second end (70-2) connected to the blood removal line (20) and a blood pump (22) is active on the blood circuit. A replacement fluid pump (72) is active on the pre-infusion line (70), a dialysate circuit (40, 50, 70) comprises an effluent line (50) configured for discharging fluid from the second chamber, and a control unit (80) is connected to the replacement fluid pump (72) and to the blood pump (22) and is configured for performing a rinse-back procedure for restituting blood to a patient. The rinse-back procedure comprises conveying blood contained in the blood circuit (10, 20, 30, 60) towards the second end (30-2) of the blood return line (30) using the medical fluid.