Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Line Chemical Testing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current peritoneal dialysis systems lack an efficient method for early detection of peritonitis, relying on subjective visual observations of effluent clarity, which can be ambiguous and delay diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A chemical testing device is integrated into the peritoneal dialysis fluid line set, featuring test pads with reactive reagents that change color upon contact with leukocytes or nitrites, providing a clear visual indicator of infection as spent dialysate flows through the system, facilitating real-time diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual observation of effluent clarity is used for infection detection, then the system remains simple and cost-effective, but the diagnosis becomes ambiguous and delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual observation system with a chemical testing system. Test strips containing chemical reagents react with substances in the effluent (such as leukocytes, nitrites, or glucose) to produce visible color changes, providing objective chemical detection instead of subjective visual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chemical reagents as intermediaries between the effluent and the detection process. These reagents specifically react with infection markers in the effluent, amplifying the detection signal and making infection presence clearly visible through color changes on the test strips.
2Loss of time
If early detection of peritonitis is achieved through chemical testing, then treatment can be prompt and effective, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs test strips that are pre-prepared with multiple reagents applied to different sections of the strip. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid simultaneous detection of multiple infection markers (leukocytes, nitrites, glucose) without requiring sequential testing, thus reducing diagnosis time while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the testing function into multiple specialized test strips or sections on a single strip, each containing reagents for detecting specific infection markers. This segmentation allows parallel detection of multiple parameters, enabling comprehensive infection assessment quickly without requiring a complex multi-device system.
3Reliability
If multiple infection markers are detected simultaneously, then diagnostic reliability improves, but the test device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic function across multiple test strips or distinct regions on a single strip, with each segment containing reagents specific to one infection marker (leukocytes, nitrites, or glucose). This allows simultaneous detection of multiple markers while keeping each individual test region simple and well-defined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal testing platform where a single test strip system can detect multiple infection markers through different reagent sections. This multi-functional approach improves diagnostic reliability by assessing various infection indicators simultaneously without requiring separate specialized devices for each marker.
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 chemical testing device offers a user-friendly, reliable means for early-stage diagnosis of peritonitis, reducing ambiguity and enabling prompt treatment by providing distinct color changes indicative of infection, thus benefiting patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
Implementation Method 1
test pads with reactive reagents that change color upon contact with leukocytes or nitrites
Data Source
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AI summary
A peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid line set includes a fluid line configured to carry spent dialysate to a drain receptacle and a chemical testing device disposed along the fluid line. The chemical testing device is configured to detect a presence of a substance in the spent dialysate as the spent dialysate flows past the chemical testing device, and the chemical testing device is configured to provide a visual indicator of the presence of the substance in the spent dialysate.