Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Sensor for Infection Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing peritonitis or infection in peritoneal dialysate are unreliable, leading to false positives and delayed treatment due to reliance on visual inspection and manual testing, which are not definitive or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a peritoneal dialysis cycler with a fluid sensor apparatus that detects markers associated with peritonitis or infection, using a sensor card with light source and photodetector to analyze fluid characteristics such as color and clarity, and a processor to accurately diagnose infections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection and manual testing methods are used to diagnose peritonitis, then the testing process is simple and can be performed at home, but the accuracy is low leading to false positives and delayed treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated optical detection system that uses light sources and photodetectors to measure fluid characteristics. This substitution of mechanical/manual methods with optical measurement systems enables accurate, objective diagnosis of peritonitis by detecting specific markers in the dialysate fluid, eliminating false positives from subjective visual assessment.
2Productivity
If automated fluid sensor apparatus is implemented, then diagnosis accuracy and speed improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid sensor apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects various fluid characteristics including color, clarity, and specific biochemical markers; it can identify different types of infections; and it provides both immediate results and data for trend analysis. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate testing devices into a single apparatus, improving productivity while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to perform accurate peritonitis testing at home without requiring clinical laboratory facilities. The automated sensor apparatus self-calibrates and processes samples independently, providing immediate results that eliminate the need for patients to travel to clinics for testing, thereby dramatically improving testing speed and accessibility.
3Reliability
If multiple fluid markers are detected simultaneously, then diagnosis reliability improves, but measurement complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into separate sensing channels, each dedicated to detecting specific fluid markers such as pH, lactate, glucose, and infection-related proteins. Each channel uses specialized sensors optimized for its target analyte. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-parameter detection while keeping each individual measurement channel relatively simple and manageable, improving overall reliability without overwhelming complexity.
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
Enables rapid, accurate, and automated detection of peritonitis or infection in peritoneal dialysate, reducing false positives and improving treatment timing by analyzing specific markers like MMP8, IL-6, and others, without the need for clinical testing.
Implementation Method 1
a light source directing light onto a first side of the sensor card; and a camera or photodetector detecting light on a second side of the sensor card opposite to the first side of the sensor card
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a testing system and related methods for detecting peritonitis or infection in peritoneal dialysate removed from a patient. The testing system can include a fluid sensor apparatus in a fluid line of a peritoneal dialysis cycler through which spent peritoneal dialysate can be pumped. The fluid sensor apparatus can detect one or more markers associated with peritonitis or infection.