Peritoneal Dialysis Circuit With Dual-Pump Flow Rate Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peritoneal dialysis apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring and controlling fluid flow rates while maintaining low manufacturing costs, especially for automated systems like APD and CAPD, where the use of expensive sensors or inaccurate measurements can lead to health risks and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A peritoneal dialysis apparatus with a dual pump system, where two pumps operate simultaneously at different flow rates to define an exchange parameter, using standard volumetric pumps and a control unit to ensure accurate fluid delivery and withdrawal, minimizing redesign costs and maintaining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive sensors are used to measure low flow rates accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow measurement function into two independent flow meters, each responsible for measuring the flow rate of one pump. This segmentation allows each flow meter to be optimized for its specific measurement task, improving overall measurement precision while using standard, cost-effective components rather than requiring a single expensive high-precision sensor for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from both flow meters about the actual flow rates and uses this information to calculate the actual fluid exchange rate. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate measurement and control without requiring expensive sensors, as the system uses standard flow meters combined with computational feedback processing.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard cost-effective components are used, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision at low flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the measurement task into two separate flow meters that each handle one pump's flow, the system can use standard cost-effective flow meters instead of requiring a single expensive high-precision sensor. Each flow meter operates within its optimal range, improving overall measurement precision while keeping costs low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for expensive mechanical or optical sensors with standard flow meters combined with electronic control and calculation. The control unit computes the actual fluid exchange rate based on the flow meter readings, substituting expensive hardware measurement with a more economical combination of standard sensors and computational processing.
3Ease of operation
If flow rate is reduced to ensure patient comfort, then patient comfort is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the flow measurement into two independent channels, each measured by its own flow meter. This allows accurate measurement even at low flow rates because each flow meter can accurately measure the reduced flow from its respective pump, and the control unit combines these measurements to determine the total fluid exchange rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from both flow meters and calculates the actual fluid exchange rate based on the combined flow rate data. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement accuracy at low flow rates by dynamically adjusting the measurement and calculation process to account for the reduced flow conditions while ensuring patient comfort.
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 dual pump system achieves precise fluid exchange with high accuracy across a wide range of flow rates, ensuring patient safety and reducing costs by utilizing standard components without significant redesign, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of peritoneal dialysis treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump arranged on the delivery line, and configured to supply fresh dialysis fluid towards the patient line
Implementation Method 2
a second pump arranged on the withdrawal line, and configured to withdraw spent dialysis fluid from the patient line
Implementation Method 3
Waste, toxins, and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream, through the capillaries in the peritoneal membrane, and into the dialysis fluid due to diffusion and osmosis
Implementation Method 4
Waste, toxins, and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream, through the capillaries in the peritoneal membrane, and into the dialysis fluid due to diffusion and osmosis
Data Source
AI summary
A peritoneal dialysis fluid circuit comprising a patient line, a delivery line configured to supply fresh dialysis fluid towards the patient line, a withdrawal line configured to withdraw spent dialysis fluid from the patient line, a first pump arranged on the delivery line and configured to supply fresh dialysis fluid towards the patient line, and a second pump arranged on the withdrawal line and configured to withdraw spent dialysis fluid from the patient line. The fluid circuit further comprises a control unit configured to perform a peritoneal dialysis procedure. The peritoneal dialysis procedure comprises commanding activation of the first pump at a first flow rate, and activation of the second pump at a second flow rate different from the first flow rate: the first pump and the second pump are active simultaneously to provide the first flow rate and the second flow rate.