Dialysate Reservoir Level Sensing With Tilt-Corrected Load Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hemodialysis systems are large, complicated, expensive, and difficult to use, limiting their portability and accessibility for home use, and lack features to ensure patient safety and efficient dialysate management.
Innovation Solution
A portable hemodialysis system with a reusable dialysis machine, disposable dialyzer, and dual reservoirs equipped with level sensors, pumps, and safety features like blood leak detection and tilt correction, enabling easy operation and enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hemodialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be provided, but the systems are large, complicated, expensive, and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the dialysis machine into separate functional modules: a reusable dialysis machine housing containing pumps and control systems, disposable dialyzers with integrated membranes, and separate reservoirs for dialysate and blood. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies operation by reducing the number of parts the user must manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialysis machine is designed with universal components that can perform multiple functions: the same pump system handles both blood and dialysate flow, the control system manages multiple parameters (flow rate, pressure, temperature), and the machine can accommodate different types of dialyzers and reservoir configurations, reducing complexity for the user.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional hemodialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be provided, but the systems are large and not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates heavy components (dialysis machine housing with pumps) from disposable components (dialyzers, reservoirs), allowing the machine to be positioned in a fixed location while enabling portable dialysis treatment through the use of lighter disposable components that can be transported and connected as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable dialyzers and reservoirs that are lightweight and can be easily transported. These single-use components eliminate the need for heavy sterilization equipment and complex maintenance, significantly reducing the overall system weight and improving portability for home and travel use.
3Reliability
If traditional hemodialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be provided, but they lack adequate safety features for unsupervised use
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates multiple sensors that continuously monitor dialysis parameters (blood flow rate, dialysate flow rate, pressure differentials, reservoir levels) and provide real-time feedback to the control system. The control system automatically adjusts operational parameters and alerts the user to abnormal conditions, ensuring safe operation without requiring constant medical supervision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes built-in safety features that prevent harmful conditions before they occur: pressure relief valves prevent over-pressurization, reservoir level sensors prevent empty-running conditions, and flow sensors detect clotting or disconnection before they compromise treatment. These preemptive measures ensure patient safety without adding significant complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional hemodialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment can be provided, but they are expensive and require high initial monetary investment
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates expensive reusable components (dialysis machine housing with pumps and control systems) from inexpensive disposable components (dialyzers and reservoirs). This segmentation allows the expensive parts to be manufactured once and used repeatedly, while the disposable parts can be produced at low cost, significantly reducing the initial investment and ongoing expenses for home dialysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable dialyzers and reservoirs that are manufactured at low cost using simplified processes. These single-use components eliminate the need for expensive sterilization equipment, maintenance contracts, and specialized service personnel, making the overall system more affordable and easier to manufacture while maintaining safety and 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 lightweight, user-friendly, and safe hemodialysis solution suitable for home use, ensuring accurate dialysate management and reducing the risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell which contacts the vertical member and measures the weight of the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a tilt sensor which detects an amount of inclination of the horizontal member
Implementation Method 3
the processor corrects a weight measurement of the reservoir based on the amount of inclination detected by the tilt sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The weight, and therefore the level of dialysate, of each reservoir is measured by a preferred level sensor having a lever arm, a load cell, and a tilt sensor. The load cell and tilt sensor are electrically connected to a processor for sending force and tilt measurements to the processor. The processor may analyze the tilt measurements to correct for any inaccurate measurements of the load cell caused by the tilt.