Dialysis Catheter Connection Detection via Electrical Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peritoneal dialysis systems cannot reliably detect the connection status between the patient's catheter and the disposable tube-cassette system, leading to potential contamination and errors in dialysate flow, requiring patient interaction and increasing the risk of germ introduction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrical circuit with a diode resistor network and a switch on the patient catheter and disposable, allowing for automatic detection of connection status through measurement of electrical parameters like resistance, current, or impedance, eliminating the need for patient intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the patient manually verifies connection status, then connection awareness is achieved, but patient contamination risk increases and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification of connection status through automated electrical resistance measurement between the machine and disposable catheter, eliminating the need for patient manual verification and thereby preventing patient contamination while ensuring reliable connection detection
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical verification process is replaced with an automated electrical measurement system that uses resistance measurement to detect connection status, converting a mechanical/manual operation into an automated electrical detection process
2Extent of automation
If electrical measurement components are added to the disposable catheter, then automated detection capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection verification is replaced with simple electrical resistance measurement using basic components (conductive elements and measurement circuitry) integrated into the disposable catheter, achieving automation without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects connection status by measuring changes in electrical resistance parameters across the connection interface, using parameter variation to indicate connection state without requiring complex structural modifications to the disposable catheter
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
Enables reliable, automatic detection of connection status, preventing contamination and ensuring proper dialysate flow without patient interaction, thus enhancing safety and reducing the risk of infection.
Implementation Method 1
measuring device for measuring at least one electrical property of the electrical circuit that depends on the connection state
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for detecting the state of connection between a patient catheter and a tubing-cassette system which is designed for use in a dialysis machine, the device comprising the tubing-cassette system and an electrical circuit that is arranged on the tubing-cassette system and on the patient catheter. The device further comprises a measuring device for measuring at least one electrical property of the electrical circuit, which depends on the state of connection.