Portable Dialysis Air Bubble Positioning via Reversible Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable dialysis systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately removing air bubbles from the venous bloodline during hemodialysis, which can be cumbersome and potentially dangerous for patients.
Innovation Solution
A portable dialysis system equipped with an air bubble detector and a controller that automatically moves the air bubble towards an extraction port using a reversible blood pump, assisted by a graphical user interface (GUI) for user guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push-hold-release mechanism is used to manually position the air bubble, then the user can control the bubble position, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming requiring repeated button presses
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting the air bubble and initiating automated positioning before the user needs to manually intervene. The controller automatically actuates the pump in reverse direction to move the air bubble toward the extraction port, eliminating the need for repeated manual button presses and significantly reducing the time and complexity of positioning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using its own pump mechanism to automatically position the air bubble without requiring continuous user input. The controller monitors the air bubble position and autonomously actuates the pump to move the bubble to the extraction port, making the system self-sufficient in the air bubble removal process.
2Extent of automation
If the blood pump runs in reverse direction to move the air bubble, then the air bubble can be positioned at the extraction port, but the pump must be controlled to run in opposite direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the pump operationally flexible, allowing it to switch between forward and reverse directions based on the operational requirement. The controller dynamically adjusts the pump direction: forward during normal dialysis operation and reverse when air bubble removal is needed, enabling automated air bubble positioning without adding complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the air bubble detector to monitor the bubble's position and provide information to the controller. The controller based on this feedback determines when to actuate the pump in reverse direction and for how long, automatically positioning the air bubble at the extraction port while maintaining simple pump control through software-based direction control rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
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 simplifies the air bubble removal process by automatically positioning the bubble near the extraction point, reducing user complexity and increasing safety by minimizing the risk of air bubbles entering the patient's bloodstream.
Implementation Method 1
a blood pump for drawing blood from said arterial line and pumping it to a dialyzer
Implementation Method 2
an air bubble detector positioned in said venous blood line for detecting an air bubble arising in said venous blood line
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification discloses a portable dialysis system comprising a mechanism that allows the user to accurately position an air bubble in a venous line, so that it can be safely removed. When an air bubble is detected, the system automatically runs the blood pump in a direction such that the air bubble is placed close to the extraction point on the venous line, from where it can safely be removed using a needleless syringe.