Dialysis Apparatus Using Electromagnetic Fields for Protein-Bound Toxin Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis methods, such as hemodialysis, are ineffective in removing protein-bound uremic toxins due to their strong binding to plasma proteins, which are retained by dialysis membranes, limiting the removal of hydrophobic toxins with low water solubility.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a high-frequency electric or electromagnetic alternating field and/or an electric DC field is applied during dialysis to shift the equilibrium between free and protein-bound toxins, allowing for the effective release and separation of protein-bound uremic toxins from blood plasma using a plasma filter or cell separator, combined with a dialyzer or hemofilter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hemodialysis is used to remove toxins from blood plasma, then water-soluble toxins can be removed, but protein-bound hydrophobic toxins cannot be effectively removed due to strong binding to plasma proteins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-frequency electromagnetic alternating fields and/or electric DC fields to induce mechanical vibration and displacement in the plasma protein-toxin complex. This vibration disrupts the chemical equilibrium between free dissolved toxins and protein-bound toxins, shifting it toward the free toxin form, thereby enabling effective removal of protein-bound hydrophobic toxins that conventional hemodialysis cannot remove
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the blood plasma system by applying high-frequency electromagnetic fields and/or electric DC fields. This alters the equilibrium state between protein-bound and free toxins, increasing the proportion of free toxins available for dialysis removal, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining protein binding and enabling toxin removal
2Quantity of substance
If dialysis time is extended to allow equilibrium reestablishment and toxin removal, then more toxins can be removed, but treatment time becomes too long for practical hemodialysis
Solution Approach 1:
The high-frequency electromagnetic fields and/or electric DC fields induce rapid oscillation in the plasma protein-toxin complex, accelerating the reestablishment of equilibrium between free and bound toxins. This dramatically speeds up the toxin removal process, achieving effective toxin elimination within standard hemodialysis treatment times rather than requiring extended durations
Solution Approach 2:
The application of high-frequency electromagnetic alternating fields provides periodic action that continuously drives the equilibrium shift toward free toxins. This periodic energy input maintains the system in a state favorable for toxin removal throughout the dialysis process, enabling substantial toxin elimination within the available treatment time window
3Reliability
If plasma proteins are retained by dialysis membranes to maintain their function, then albumin is preserved, but protein-bound toxins remain in the blood plasma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-frequency electromagnetic fields and/or electric DC fields to change the physical-chemical parameters of the plasma protein-toxin interaction. This shifts the equilibrium toward free toxins without affecting the retention of plasma proteins by the dialysis membrane, thus simultaneously maintaining protein function and enabling toxin removal
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic fields induce mechanical vibration that specifically affects the toxin molecules and their binding to proteins, facilitating toxin release while leaving the plasma proteins intact and retained by the membrane. This selective action resolves the contradiction between protein retention and toxin removal
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 application of high-frequency fields significantly increases the release of protein-bound toxins, enhancing their separation and removal during dialysis, thereby improving the efficiency of toxin removal from the blood.
Implementation Method 1
the blood to be purified is exposed to a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field and/or to an electric DC field before and/or during its contact with the adsorber or the dialyzer/hemofilter
Implementation Method 2
The plasma filter preferably has a pressure gradient so that filtration is performed in the front area of the filter (transfer of liquid from the unfiltered side to the filtered side)
Implementation Method 3
Many of these substances are low molecular components, only a small percentage of which is present in free form, so in principle they can be dialyzed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for extracorporeal removal of protein-bound toxins from blood plasma comprising a first line device, a second line device, a third line device and a fourth line device, a dialyzer or hemofilter arranged between the first line device and the second line device and/or an adsorber, means for generating a field, at least partially surrounding the first line device and/or the dialyzer or hemofilter and/or the adsorber, a controllable fluid conveyance device arranged in the first line device and/or the second line device, and at least one controllable body fluid conveyance unit arranged in the third line device and/or the fourth line device, a filter, wherein the permeate side of the filter is connected to the first line device and the second line device, and the side of the filter to be dialyzed is connected at its inlet to the third line device, which can be connected to a patient and is connected at its outlet to the fourth line device which can be connected to the patient, wherein a controllable flow of fluid through the line devices and the dialyzer or hemofilter and/or the adsorber can be generated by means of the fluid conveyance devices.