Dialysis Replenishment Circuit Bypass for Residual Fluid Draining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood purification apparatuses without fluid replenishment pumps face challenges in efficiently draining fluid from fluid replenishment passages, leading to cumbersome procedures and potential contamination risks due to residual fluid in the blood circuit.
Innovation Solution
A blood purification apparatus with an online port and bypass passages allows air to flow through the fluid replenishment passage, using a water removal pump to eliminate residual fluid by creating a pressure difference, facilitating efficient fluid removal without the need for a dedicated fluid replenishment pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fluid replenishment pump is installed on the fluid replenishment passage to enable efficient fluid removal, then the fluid draining capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bypass passage as an intermediary pathway that connects the blood circuit to the dialysis fluid supply passage. This bypass passage allows air to flow through the blood circuit without requiring a dedicated pump on the fluid replenishment passage, thereby achieving efficient fluid removal while avoiding the need for additional pumping equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass passage serves multiple functions: it acts as a fluid replenishment pathway during dialysis treatment, and simultaneously serves as a drainage pathway during fluid removal by allowing air to flow through it. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If air is allowed to flow through the dialysis fluid supply passage to remove fluid, then the fluid removal process is simplified, but the procedure becomes cumbersome when no fluid replenishment pump is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid removal process into two independent stages: first, air is introduced through the bypass passage to push fluid toward the dialyzer; second, the fluid disposal valve on the dialysis fluid retrieval passage is opened to drain the accumulated fluid. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving both ease of operation and high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass passage is pre-configured to connect the blood circuit with the dialysis fluid supply passage, and air is introduced in advance through this bypass passage before opening the fluid disposal valve. This preliminary action of introducing air first ensures that fluid is already positioned for efficient drainage when the valve is opened, improving overall draining efficiency.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the fluid disposal valve is opened while the dialyzer communicates with ambient air, then fluid can be removed from the dialysis fluid retrieval passage, but fluid remains in the fluid replenishment passage causing contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid removal function into the existing bypass passage that is already part of the fluid replenishment system. By utilizing this existing pathway for both fluid replenishment during treatment and fluid drainage during disposal, the system eliminates residual fluid from the fluid replenishment passage without adding separate drainage components, thus reducing both contamination risk and procedure complexity.
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 apparatus effectively drains fluid from the fluid replenishment passage and priming passage, reducing contamination risks and waste disposal costs by utilizing air flow to displace residual fluid, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
by opening the open/close valve on the first bypass passage and discharging fluid from the dialysis fluid retrieval passage by using the water removal pump, air is caused to flow into the first bypass passage through the outer port, and the air is further caused to flow via the dialysis fluid supply passage through the replenishment fluid supply passage toward the blood circuit, so as to thereby remove fluid from the fluid replenishment passage
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid replenishment circuit is positioned between a dialysis fluid supply passage and a blood circuit and is provided with an online port to and from which a fluid replenishment passage is attached and detached. The online port has is provided with a first bypass passage and an open/close valve that allow a space formed between an inner port and an outer port to communicate with the dialysis fluid supply passage. In a fluid draining procedure, the open/close valve on the bypass passage is opened, and fluid in a dialysis fluid retrieval passage is discharged by a water removal pump. As a result, air flows into the first bypass passage through the outer port, and is further caused to flow via the dialysis fluid supply passage through a replenishment fluid supply passage into the blood circuit so that fluid is removed from the fluid replenishment passage.