On-Demand Dialysate Mixing with Solid Concentrate Tablets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis systems face challenges in efficiently preparing dialysate on demand, requiring large storage spaces and high maintenance costs due to the need for pre-made dialysate and multiple forms of concentrates, which can lead to errors and waste if not used promptly.
Innovation Solution
A dialysate mixing machine that uses solid chemical concentrates in tablet form, dispensed according to a prescription, combined with water and bicarbonate in a mixing chamber to create dialysate on demand, reducing the need for acid-base proportioning systems and minimizing storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-made dialysate is stored in large volumes, then treatment availability is ensured, but storage space requirements and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dialysate is segmented into concentrated components (acid concentrate, base concentrate, additives) that are stored separately and mixed on-demand. This segmentation allows compact storage of concentrates while maintaining the ability to produce large volumes of dialysate when needed, resolving the contradiction between treatment availability and storage space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrate solutions are prepared in advance and stored in compact form, with the mixing process automated through proportioning systems. This preliminary preparation of concentrates eliminates the need for storing large volumes of ready-to-use dialysate while ensuring treatment can proceed immediately when required
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple forms of concentrates are used, then dialysate composition flexibility is improved, but system complexity and risk of errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal acid concentrate and base concentrate formulation that can accommodate multiple dialysate compositions and prescriptions. This multi-functional approach allows the same concentrate types to serve various dialysate requirements, maintaining composition flexibility while reducing the number of different concentrate forms needed
Solution Approach 2:
Manual preparation and mixing processes are replaced with automated proportioning systems that precisely control concentrate mixing ratios. This substitution eliminates manual errors while managing system complexity through automation, allowing flexible dialysate composition without increasing operational complexity
3Duration of action of stationary object
If large volumes of dialysate are prepared in advance, then treatment continuity is maintained, but waste increases if not used promptly
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pre-prepared dialysate storage to dynamic on-demand mixing. Dialysate is continuously prepared in the required volumes based on treatment needs, ensuring treatment continuity while eliminating waste associated with unused pre-prepared dialysate
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration parameter of stored solutions (using highly concentrated acid and base concentrates) rather than storing dilute ready-to-use dialysate. This parameter change allows compact storage while enabling precise control of final dialysate composition and volume, preventing waste
4Manufacturing precision
If acid-base proportioning systems are used, then dialysate composition precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The proportioning system is designed to automatically control concentrate mixing ratios without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The system self-regulates the mixing process, achieving precise dialysate composition while minimizing the complexity of control systems and reducing maintenance requirements
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 allows for precise and efficient preparation of dialysate according to a patient's prescription, reducing waste and storage needs, while ensuring adequate treatment with a smaller volume of dialysate, thus simplifying the dialysis process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Blood passes from the patient through a dialyzer separated by a semi-permeable membrane from a large volume of externally-supplied dialysis solution. The waste and toxins dialyze out of the blood through the semi-permeable membrane into the dialysis solution
Implementation Method 2
the peritoneum is capable of acting as a natural semi-permeable membrane for transferring water and waste products to a type of dialysate solution known as PD solution
Data Source
AI summary
A dialysate mixing machine may be configured to make dialysate on demand using, among other things, a plurality of concentrates in solid tablet form. For example, a prescription may be received by the dialysate mixing machine indicating the particular chemical constituents and amounts of each chemical constituent to be included in the dialysate. Based on the prescription, the dialysate mixing machine can determine the number of tablets required for each chemical constituent (and, e.g., the required amounts of other chemical constituents that are not in tablet form). The tablets are automatically dispensed and mixed with purified water, bicarbonate, and sodium chloride in a mixing chamber to produce the dialysate according to the prescription. The dialysate mixing machine may be used with and/or coupled to a dialysis machine (e.g., a hemodialysis (HD) machine designed for home use) to provide the dialysate on demand for a dialysis treatment.