Portable Dialysis Device with Hydraulic Membrane Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis methods require large membrane surfaces and significant vascular access, leading to discomfort and stress on the cardiovascular system due to frequent and time-consuming treatments.
Innovation Solution
A portable dialysis device with a compressible blood chamber and a flexible delivery membrane, using hydraulic fluid to compress the chamber and control blood flow, allowing for continuous round-the-clock dialysis with a reduced membrane surface and eliminating the need for arterio-venous shunts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large membrane surfaces are used to achieve effective blood purification in short time, then dialysis efficiency is improved, but device size and treatment time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic compression of the blood chamber through a flexible membrane actuated by a pump, creating continuous blood flow and pressure variations that enhance mass transfer efficiency. This dynamic operation allows a small membrane surface (2-200 cm²) to achieve dialysis effectiveness comparable to much larger static membranes, resolving the contradiction between dialysis efficiency and membrane surface area by making the system dynamically active rather than statically passive
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous round-the-clock dialysis through continuous blood circulation driven by the pump system. The continuous flow regime maintains constant concentration gradients across the membrane, maximizing purification efficiency throughout 24 hours. This continuous operation allows significantly reduced membrane surface area compared to intermittent dialysis, as the cumulative purification effect accumulates over time without requiring large surface area for peak performance
2Speed
If arterio-venous shunts are placed to ensure large volume flow, then blood flow rate is improved, but cardiovascular stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic chamber filled with hydraulic fluid as an intermediary system between the blood chamber and the pump. The pump compresses the hydraulic chamber, which in turn compresses the flexible membrane of the blood chamber, indirectly driving blood flow without the pump directly contacting or mechanically loading the blood. This intermediary hydraulic system enables controlled blood flow rates while minimizing direct mechanical stress on the cardiovascular system, as the compression is distributed and controlled through the flexible membrane rather than applied directly to blood vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical arterio-venous shunt system with a hydraulic compression system. Instead of creating a permanent high-flow shortcut through the cardiovascular system (shunt), the invention uses a pump-driven hydraulic chamber that periodically compresses the blood chamber to drive blood flow through the dialysis membrane. This substitution eliminates the need for high-stress vascular access while maintaining adequate blood flow rates for effective dialysis
3Reliability
If frequent dialysis treatments are administered to achieve purification, then blood cleanliness is improved, but patient comfort and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous 24-hour dialysis treatment through a pump system that continuously circulates and compresses the blood chamber. This continuous operation maintains constant purification activity, allowing blood to be progressively cleaned over the entire day rather than through intermittent sessions. The cumulative effect of continuous low-intensity purification over 24 hours achieves the same or better blood cleanliness as multiple intensive sessions, but without the repeated start-stop interruptions and associated time losses for setup, travel, and recovery between treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of dialysis from intermittent high-intensity sessions to continuous low-intensity operation. By maintaining a constant, low-level pumping action throughout 24 hours, the system achieves effective purification through accumulated effect rather than peak performance. This parameter change from discrete sessions to continuous operation eliminates the need for frequent treatment scheduling, reducing patient time loss and improving comfort while maintaining reliable blood purification quality
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 continuous, efficient blood purification with reduced membrane surface area and decreased cardiovascular stress, allowing patients to perform dialysis without frequent visits to dialysis centers.
Implementation Method 1
During the process of filling the hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid, the delivery membrane can be moved towards the blood chamber such that a compression of the blood chamber and thus an expulsion of the blood contained therein occur
Implementation Method 2
a pump for a controllable filling and/or emptying of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber so that blood can thereby be conveyed into and/or out of the blood chamber
Implementation Method 3
dialysis occurs by way of diffusion. Diffusion means an exchange of particles from that side of the membrane having the higher particle concentration to the side having the lower concentration
Implementation Method 4
dialysis uses the principle of ultrafiltration wherein liquids and/or particles pass through the membrane owing to a pressure gradient
Implementation Method 5
In addition to the aspects mentioned, osmotic effects may also be used in dialysis
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a portable dialysis device, comprising the following steps: continuously and alternately filling and emptying a hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid by a pump, wherein upon filling the hydraulic chamber, an at least partially flexible delivery membrane is moved towards a blood chamber adjoining the hydraulic chamber, in which blood is received, and wherein the blood flows tangentially along an inner wall of the blood chamber through an inlet side, whereby the blood chamber is compressed to eject the blood, and enhancing a return flow of the blood from the blood chamber while avoiding dead points in the flow in the blood chamber, and wherein upon emptying the hydraulic chamber, the delivery membrane is moved away from the blood chamber so that the blood chamber expands to receive the blood, so that a continuous, alternate compression and expansion of the blood chamber by the delivery membrane occurs, such that a continuous uninterrupted exchange of the blood in the blood chamber is performed while avoiding the formation of thrombi.