Dialysis Machine Air Detection in Concentrate Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dialysis machines often experience air entrainment in the balancing system when concentrate containers are emptied, leading to incorrect balancing and reduced fresh dialysis solution delivery, due to the introduction of air during the dead time of the balancing chamber cycle.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electrically conductive elements in the concentrate lines with a measuring device and control unit to detect conductance changes, triggering an alarm or special operation mode if air is present, and implementing a special air separation process to remove air from the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concentrate containers are emptied and refilled during operation, then the dialysis treatment can continue, but air is introduced into the concentrate lines and balancing system, leading to incorrect balancing and reduced fresh dialysis solution delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The air detection system proactively identifies air in the concentrate lines before it can enter the balancing chamber and contaminate the dialysis solution. By detecting air presence through conductive elements and triggering early warning signals or automatic responses, the system prevents balancing errors before they occur, maintaining reliability while allowing continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the concentrate lines for air presence and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect air introduction during concentrate refilling and automatically respond by adjusting pump operations or triggering alarms, thereby maintaining accurate balancing despite continuous operation requirements.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If air is present in the concentrate lines, then the system can continue operating, but incorrect balancing occurs and fresh dialysis solution delivery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air detection system provides continuous monitoring and real-time feedback about air presence in the concentrate lines. When air is detected, the control unit receives this information and can automatically adjust pump speeds or trigger corrective actions, ensuring that fresh dialysis solution delivery remains accurate even during continuous operation with air present in the system.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the balancing chamber operates with air introduction during dead time, then the cycle can complete, but the volume of fresh dialysis solution supplied does not match the volume of used solution removed
Solution Approach 1:
The air detection system identifies air in the concentrate lines before the balancing chamber cycle completes, providing early warning or automatic correction. By detecting air presence proactively during the cycle, the system can trigger responses that prevent volume imbalance, ensuring precise solution balancing while allowing the cycle to complete its operation.
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
Reduces the probability of air entering the dialysis solution, ensuring accurate balancing and continuous fresh solution delivery by detecting air presence and initiating corrective measures, such as increased flow rates or bypassing the dialyzer, to maintain proper dialysis solution composition.
Implementation Method 1
zwei elektrisch leitfähige Elemente, die spaced apart in oder an der Konzentratleitung angeordnet sind, ein Messgerät, das elektrisch mit den leitfähigen Elementen verbunden ist und ausgebildet ist, eine Leitfähigkeit oder eine damit korrelierte Größe zwischen diesen zu messen
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dialysis machine, which is designed to be equipped with an extracorporeal blood system, the dialysis machine having a dialysis solution system, which is designed to be equipped with a dialyzer, wherein: a mixing region, in particular a mixing chamber, is provided, in which the fresh dialysis solution or a component thereof is found during operation of the dialysis machine; a concentrate line is fluidically connected to the mixing region, by means of which concentrate line concentrate can be introduced into the mixing region from a concentrate container; at least two electrically conductive elements are arranged at a distance from each other in or on the concentrate line or the concentrate lines; a measuring device is provided, which is electrically connected to the conductive elements and is designed to measure, therebetween, the conductance or a variable correlated therewith; and a control unit is provided, which is designed to compare the measured value with a set point value, limit value or set point value range.