Dialysis System Integrating Electrodialysis and Electrodeionization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dialysis systems, particularly sorbent-based systems, face high costs, disposability issues, and concerns regarding the purity of recycled dialysate due to incomplete removal of uremic toxins and tap water impurities, along with potential chemical leaching and pH and sodium balance problems.

Innovation Solution

The integration of electrodialysis (ED) and electrodeionization (EDI) technologies with a carbon source and urease source in a dialysis system, which recycles spent dialysate to produce a verifiably pure dialysis fluid, reducing the need for fresh fluid and minimizing long-term cartridge replacement costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If sorbent technology is used to remove uremic toxins from waste dialysate, then fluid volume requirement is reduced, but solution purity and removal completeness of all ionic contaminants deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid volumeVSAvoidsolution purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the chemical state of uremic toxins by converting neutral urea molecules into charged ammonium ions through urease-catalyzed hydrolysis. This parameter change from neutral to charged state enables subsequent electrochemical removal via electrodialysis and electrodeionization, achieving complete purification that sorbent technology cannot accomplish

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the passive adsorption mechanism of sorbent cartridges with an active electrochemical separation system. By applying electrical fields through electrodialysis and electrodeionization units, the system actively transports and removes ionic contaminants, providing verifiable purity through conductivity measurement rather than relying on sorbent capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If sorbent cartridges are used for dialysate treatment, then dialysis function is maintained, but system cost and cartridge replacement frequency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedialysis functionVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding used dialysate and using fresh fluid or expensive sorbent cartridges, the patent recovers and regenerates dialysate through a closed-loop system. The electrodialysis and electrodeionization units continuously purify recycled dialysate, eliminating the need for disposable cartridges and reducing fluid consumption while maintaining dialysis function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-purification through automated electrodialysis and electrodeionization processes. The built-in urease sources continuously convert urea to ammonium ions, and the electrochemical units automatically remove these ions, enabling the system to maintain itself without external intervention or expensive replacement cartridges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If electrodialysis and electrodeionization units are integrated into the dialysis system, then dialysate purity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedialysate purityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into integrated units: urease sources are incorporated within the electrodialysis and electrodeionization units to enable in-situ conversion of urea; the ED and EDI units work in sequence as a combined purification system; and multiple cartridges (carbon source, urease source, ED/EDI unit) are integrated into a single recirculating dialysis system, reducing overall system complexity while achieving complete purification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach results in a cost-effective, reusable dialysis system that achieves high purity of recycled dialysis fluid, effectively removing all ionic contaminants and reducing the need for frequent cartridge replacements, while maintaining low fluid usage.

Implementation Method 1

passing a spent dialysis fluid from a dialyzer through a carbon source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a urease source in fluid communication with the carbon source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

urease source...breakdown of urea into ammonium and carbonate ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 4

an electrodialysis/electrodionization ('ED/EDI') unit in fluid communication with at least one of the carbon and urease sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrodialysis:

Implementation Method 5

an electrodialysis/electrodionization ('ED/EDI') unit...including an ED component, and an EDI component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrodeionization:

Data Source

PatentEP2900296B1Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis systems having electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities

Publication Date: 2016.10.19 BAXTER INT INC

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AI summary

Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source, an ED/EDI unit. The carbon source, urease source, and/or the ED/EDI unit can be in the form of removable cartridges.