Dialysis Fluid Flow Rate Determination for Extracorporeal Blood Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dialysis machines operate with constant dialysis fluid flow, leading to high costs and inefficiency, as they require high dialysis fluid flows to achieve high clearance, which is not economically viable, and there is a need for a method to optimize dialysis fluid and blood flow rates to achieve effective dialysis with minimal fluid consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that determine optimal dialysis fluid or blood flow rates based on specific criteria to maximize treatment effectiveness while minimizing fluid consumption, using a computing unit to calculate the optimal flow rates as a function of blood flow, dialysis fluid flow, and mass transfer coefficients, and storing these in a memory for different dialyzers, allowing for automatic adjustment during treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high dialysis fluid flow is used to achieve high clearance, then dialysis effectiveness is improved, but dialysis fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dialysis fluid flow rate adjustable and adaptable during treatment. The system dynamically determines optimal flow rates based on patient-specific parameters (body weight, surface area, age) and treatment conditions, allowing the flow rate to be optimized in real-time rather than using fixed high flows. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high clearance when needed while reducing fluid consumption during sufficient treatment phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of dialysis fluid flow rate from a fixed high value to a variable parameter determined by calculation. The system calculates optimal flow rates based on multiple parameters including patient characteristics, dialyzer properties, and treatment goals. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high clearance when necessary while minimizing fluid consumption when lower flows are sufficient, directly resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If constant high dialysis fluid flow is used, then clearance is maintained, but treatment efficiency decreases due to excessive fluid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring treatment progress and patient response, then using this information to adjust the dialysis fluid flow rate. The system calculates whether the current flow rate is achieving the desired clearance and adjusts accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable clearance maintenance while improving treatment efficiency by avoiding excessive fluid consumption once adequate clearance is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static constant flow to dynamic adaptive flow. The dialysis fluid flow rate is continuously adjusted based on real-time assessment of treatment effectiveness and patient response. This dynamic approach maintains reliable clearance when needed while improving overall treatment efficiency by reducing fluid consumption during phases where lower flows are sufficient.
3Ease of operation
If manual flow rate setting is used, then operational flexibility is improved, but optimization of fluid consumption is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically calculate and determine the optimal dialysis fluid flow rate without requiring manual optimization by the operator. The system uses built-in algorithms that consider patient parameters, dialyzer characteristics, and treatment goals to self-determine the optimal flow rate. This maintains operational flexibility while significantly improving fluid consumption optimization beyond what manual setting can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated computational determination. Instead of relying on operator experience and manual flow rate setting, the system uses computational algorithms to automatically calculate optimal flow rates. This substitution maintains ease of operation (as the system is user-friendly) while dramatically improving fluid consumption optimization through precise calculation rather than manual estimation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (18) and to a method for determining the dialysis fluid flow rate for an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The dialysis fluid flow rate Qd is determined in accordance with the blood flow rate Qb or the blood flow rate Qb is determined in accordance with the dialysis fluid flow rate Qd, wherein by increasing about a specific value, the increase of a variable characterising the efficiency of the blood treatment, in particular clearance K, does not exceed the specific value. The invention also relates to a blood treatment device comprising a device (18) for determining the dialysis fluid flow rate or blood flow rate and to a method for operating an extracorporeal blood treatment device. As a result, an optimal dialysis fluid flow rate and/or blood flow rate calculates the requirement in accordance with a high efficiency of the dialysis treatment and in accordance with a reduced consumption of the dialysis liquid.