Dialysate-Free Artificial Kidney Using Electrodeionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis therapies for patients with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease are limited by their intermittent nature, reliance on dialysate solutions, and inability to continuously regulate blood chemistry, leading to suboptimal ion and organic molecule removal and increased risk of infections.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component separation device incorporating ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and electrodeionization units, along with reverse osmosis, to mimic native kidney function without the use of dialysate, allowing for continuous, autonomous, and controlled removal of ions and water, maintaining blood chemistry stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dialysis therapies use dialysate solutions to remove ions and organic molecules, then removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the dialysate solution component from the dialysis system, replacing it with a dialysate-free electrodeionization approach. The blood is directly treated using electrodeionization chambers that selectively remove ions without requiring a dialysate medium, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/chemical dialysate solution-based separation system with an electrochemical electrodeionization system. Electric fields and ion-exchange resins substitute for the physical dialysate flow mechanism, achieving ion removal through electrical rather than mechanical/chemical means
2Device complexity
If intermittent dialysis treatments are used, then device complexity is reduced, but blood chemistry stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous dialysis treatment through the portable wearable device that can operate continuously or frequently throughout the day. The electrodeionization process runs continuously through multiple chambers in series, providing uninterrupted ion and organic molecule removal, thereby stabilizing blood chemistry composition over time rather than through intermittent treatments
3Productivity
If dialysate solutions are administered during dialysis, then ion removal capability is improved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the dialysate solution from the system, removing the source of potential infection. By using electrodeionization with ion-exchange resins and electric fields, the system achieves ion removal without introducing external fluids that could carry pathogens, thereby eliminating the infection risk associated with dialysate administration
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 device enables continuous, efficient removal of ions and organic molecules, reducing the need for dialysate and minimizing infection risks, while maintaining blood chemistry stability, potentially reducing the burden on kidney transplant waiting lists and improving patient mobility and quality of life.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrodeionization unit highly selective for the removal of potassium from the blood stream; a second electrodeionization unit for the removal of additional ions from the blood stream
Implementation Method 2
Two selective electrodeionization units are used in sequence for ion removal. The first electrodeionization unit is highly selective for the removal of potassium... The second electrodeionization unit is used to remove additional ions from the blood stream
Implementation Method 3
a nanofiltration membrane separates out glucose, the glucose retained in the concentrate sent back to the blood stream
Implementation Method 4
An ultrafiltration device is the first unit in a process sequence where the concentrate (containing cells and proteins) is returned to the blood stream
Implementation Method 5
After EDI processing, the urine stream is sent to a reverse osmosis unit where the appropriate amount of water is removed and returned to the blood stream
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device and method are described for the treatment of blood, which device may be used in conjunction with or in place of a failed Kidney. The device includes an ultrafiltration unit to remove proteins, red and white blood cells and other high molecular weight components, a nanofiltration unit to remove glucose, at least one electrodeionization unit to transport ions from the blood stream, and a reverse osmosis unit to modulate the flow of water, to both the blood and urine streams. In one embodiment, a specialized electrodeionization unit is provided having multiple chambers defining multiple dilute fluid channels, each channel filled with an ion specific resin wafer, and electrodes at the extremity of the device and proximate each of the resin filled dilute channels. By selective application of voltages to these electrodes, the ion transport functionality of a given dilute channel can be turned on or off.