Dialysis Concentrate Container Volume Detection From Pressure Fill Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dialysis systems lack the ability to accurately determine the volume of attached containers and depletion time, leading to inefficiencies in treatment preparation and resource management.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis machine equipped with a pressure sensor and fill valve monitoring system determines fill parameters such as time elapsed, average, and standard deviation of fill cycles to calculate the container volume and depletion time, providing real-time alerts and adjustments for optimal container usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual container volume input is used, then operator control is maintained, but treatment preparation time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic container volume determination through pressure sensor measurements and fill cycle monitoring, eliminating the need for manual operator input. The machine autonomously calculates container parameters and determines depletion time, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous operator intervention for data entry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (operator reading container labels and entering data) with automated electronic sensing and computation. Pressure sensors electronically measure container characteristics, and processors automatically calculate volume and depletion time, substituting human manual processes with electronic measurement and computation systems
2Measurement precision
If container volume is not accurately determined, then setup process is simple, but resource management and treatment optimization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure container volume characteristics. Rather than directly measuring volume, the system uses pressure changes during fill cycles as a mediator to infer container parameters, enabling accurate measurement without complex direct volume sensing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines container volume by monitoring changes in pressure parameters during standardized fill cycles. By measuring how pressure evolves as fluid is added to the container, the system derives volume information from pressure parameter changes rather than requiring direct geometric measurement, simplifying the measurement approach while maintaining accuracy
3Loss of substance
If depletion time is not monitored, then system operation is simple, but container usage optimization and waste reduction are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors container volume and calculates depletion time based on current usage rates, providing feedback to operators about remaining concentrate supply. This feedback mechanism enables optimized treatment scheduling and container replacement timing, preventing both waste from premature replacement and interruption from unexpected depletion
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and communicates depletion time in advance before the container is actually exhausted. By providing preliminary information about when concentrate will be depleted, the system allows proactive scheduling of container replacements and treatment adjustments, preventing waste and ensuring continuous 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
This system enhances treatment efficiency by automating container volume input, optimizing container usage, reducing waste, and enabling precise scheduling and resource management, thus improving clinical workflow and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a signal from a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within a container containing a concentrate as fluid flows from a point upstream of the pressure sensor to the container
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, by a processor of a dialysis machine, a dialysate flow rate, a bicarbonate setting value, a signal from a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within a container, and a signal indicating a state of a fill valve; determining, based on the signal received from the pressure sensor and the state of the fill valve, fill parameters; determining a volume of the container based on at least two of the fill parameters; determining a depletion time in which the concentrate will be depleted from the container based on the volume of the container, the dialysate flow rate, and the bicarbonate setting value; determining, based on the depletion time, an amount of time remaining before the concentrate will be depleted from the container; and causing the dialysis machine to indicate the amount of time remaining before the concentrate will be depleted from the container.