Dialysis Machine Loading With Container Property Verification

Solution Overview

Problem

Improper handling of fluid containers during dialysis treatment can lead to errors, necessitating a method to ensure accurate connection and verification of container properties to enhance patient safety.

Innovation Solution

A method involving sequential connection of fluid-filled containers to a dialysis machine, checking their properties against stored setpoints, and comparing measured values to tolerance limits, with a plausibility check and user guidance to ensure correct loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple fluid containers are connected to the dialysis machine, then the treatment can proceed, but errors in container connection or properties can occur leading to patient safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidcontainer connection and verification process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of container properties (weight, volume, solution type) before the treatment begins. The control unit checks if the connected containers match the prescribed therapy parameters, preventing incorrect containers from being used during treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user through the user interface when containers are correctly or incorrectly connected. The control unit compares measured container properties with prescribed values and notifies the user of any mismatches, allowing correction before treatment proceeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If container properties are checked against stored setpoints, then accuracy of container verification is improved, but the time required for loading and verification increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer property verification accuracyVSAvoidcontainer loading and verification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of container properties (weight, volume, solution type) before the treatment begins. The control unit checks if the connected containers match the prescribed therapy parameters, preventing incorrect containers from being used during treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs verification of container properties without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously compares measured container characteristics with prescribed values and manages the verification process, reducing the time burden on users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the device blocks connection or subsequent steps when measured values are out of range, then patient safety is enhanced, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidcontainer connection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the connection of incorrect containers before treatment can proceed. The control unit blocks subsequent steps when container properties do not match prescribed parameters, stopping potential errors before they affect patient safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user through the user interface when containers are correctly or incorrectly connected. The control unit compares measured container properties with prescribed values and notifies the user of any mismatches, allowing correction before treatment proceeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances patient safety by detecting and preventing incorrect container connections, ensuring accurate loading and adherence to therapy prescriptions, thereby improving the reliability of dialysis treatments.

Implementation Method 1

The containers are weighed before or during connection. The tested characteristic of the containers is therefore their weight, which is compared to at least one target weight value stored in the device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight measurement: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3487552B1Method for loading a medical device

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for loading a medical device, in particular a dialysis machine and preferably a peritoneal dialysis machine, comprising a device controller and a user interface, wherein at least one fluid-filled container is connected to a corresponding interface of the device, wherein at least one property of the container is checked by the device before or during the connection thereof and the measured value is compared with at least one target value stored in the device controller.