Multi-lumen Dialysis Hose Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis fluid hoses lack effective insulation, leading to temperature instability and increased energy consumption due to ambient temperature influences, which affects the accuracy of temperature control and ultrafiltration processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lumen hose design with a central main flow channel and secondary flow channels arranged radially around it, providing thermal insulation and allowing for adjustable cross-sectional geometry to minimize temperature loss and maintain temperature accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a single-lumen hose design is used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but temperature stability deteriorates due to ambient temperature influences
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is divided into multiple lumens (at least two lumens) within a single hose wall structure. Each lumen can be independently configured for fluid flow or thermal insulation, allowing the system to achieve temperature stability without requiring multiple separate hoses. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by internalizing the insulation function within the hose structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose wall structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: transporting dialysis fluid through the lumens and providing thermal insulation through the hose wall material and air chambers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation components, maintaining device simplicity while achieving temperature stability.
2Productivity
If hose length is increased to reduce back pressure, then flow rate capability improves, but temperature loss increases due to greater exposure to ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The hose incorporates localized thermal insulation features at critical sections where temperature control is most needed, such as increased insulation thickness or air chamber configuration in sections exposed to extreme ambient temperatures. This allows the hose to maintain adequate flow rates throughout its length while minimizing temperature loss at vulnerable points.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose wall is constructed using composite materials that combine flexible polymer layers with thermal insulation layers (including air chambers). This composite structure provides both the flexibility and flow capacity needed for long hose runs while simultaneously reducing heat transfer to the surrounding environment, thus minimizing temperature loss over extended lengths.
3Stability of the object's composition
If thermal insulation is added to the hose, then temperature stability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation function is merged with the hose structure itself by forming air chambers and insulation layers as integral parts of the hose wall during the extrusion or molding process. This integration eliminates the need for separate insulation components and their associated assembly steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose structure includes self-contained insulation features such as air chambers and insulating layers that are built into the hose wall during manufacturing. These features automatically provide thermal insulation without requiring additional components, assembly operations, or external insulation materials, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving temperature stability.
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 solution reduces temperature-related mass changes and improves ultrafiltration accuracy, while being cost-effective and easily retrofittable to existing systems, ensuring consistent temperature control and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The hose line (2, 7) is designed with at least one air-filled chamber structure (20e, 20g) as part of its insulation, which reduces the transfer of heat between the dialysis fluid and the environment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A dialysate fluid hose line is proposed for establishing a fluid connection between a dialysate fluid outlet on a dialysis machine and a dialysate fluid inlet on a dialyzer and/or establishing a fluid connection between a dialysate fluid outlet on the dialyzer and a dialysate fluid inlet on the dialysis machine, comprising at least one lumen designed for conveying dialysate fluid of a predetermined cross-section and/or diameter, wherein the at least one lumen is arranged to provide a dialysate fluid flow such that a temperature loss of the dialysate along the fluid path between the dialysis machine and the dialyzer is limited and a predetermined temperature accuracy of the dialysate is maintained at least at the dialysate fluid inlet of the dialyzer.In one embodiment, the at least one lumen is divided into at least two lumens of the same or different cross-section and/or diameter, wherein the at least two lumens can be supplied with a flow of dialyzing fluid individually or in parallel by an external device on the inlet side of the dialysis machine, and open into a single lumen on the outlet side of the dialyzer.