Dialysis Kit Reuse via Ozone Sterilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dialysis systems face challenges with the disposal of disposable kits after a single use due to contamination risks, particularly with fluid temperature heating accelerating bacterial growth, necessitating a method to extend the use of these kits while ensuring sterility.
Innovation Solution
A method involving ozone generation to create a disinfecting solution for recirculation through the dialysis system, followed by rinsing with sterile water to sanitize the kit and its components, allowing for reuse while maintaining sterility and preventing microbial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable dialysis kits are used, then contamination risks are minimized, but resource waste increases and cost-effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery and reuse system for disposable dialysis kits. After the dialysis treatment, the kit is not discarded but rather recovered, sanitized through ozone treatment, and reused for subsequent treatments. This directly addresses the contradiction by maintaining sterility (27) while reducing kit replacement frequency (23).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the kit environment by introducing ozone (O3) as a sanitizing agent. The ozone treatment transforms the kit from a potentially contaminated state to a sanitized state, enabling reuse. This parameter change (chemical composition) allows the kit to maintain sterility (27) across multiple uses, reducing replacement needs (23).
2Loss of substance
If kits are reused, then resource waste decreases, but microbial growth risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone (O3), a strong oxidant, to sanitize the dialysis kit before reuse. The ozone treatment accelerates the oxidation process that destroys microorganisms on the kit surfaces. This strong oxidant approach effectively kills bacteria and other contaminants, enabling safe reuse of the kit (reducing 23) without increasing microbial growth risk (30).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful presence of microorganisms on reused kits into a beneficial sanitizing process. By applying ozone treatment, the harmful bacterial growth risk (30) is transformed into a controlled sanitization process that actually eliminates contaminants, enabling safe reuse (reducing 23).
3Reliability
If ozone treatment is applied to extend kit use, then sterility is maintained, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service sanitization process where the ozone generation system automatically treats the kit without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the ozone generation, application, and timing, reducing the operational complexity despite adding the ozone treatment step. This maintains sterility (27) while minimizing the increase in process complexity (36).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the ozone sanitization into a continuous process that occurs automatically after each dialysis treatment. The useful action of sanitization continues seamlessly from one treatment to the next without interruption or manual handling. This continuous automation maintains sterility (27) while reducing the perceived complexity (36) through streamlined integration.
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
This approach effectively extends the use of disposable dialysis kits by killing microorganisms and maintaining sterility, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing contamination risks, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of dialysis treatments.
Implementation Method 1
generating ozone to prepare a disinfecting solution
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing a portion of the disinfecting solution
Data Source
AI summary
A medical fluid machine, such as a dialysis machine, includes a pump that pumps a medical fluid and sterile water or other disinfecting liquid, such as ozonated water, for flushing and reconditioning the medical fluid machine. The machine may also include a heater that heats the medical fluid or disinfecting solution in order to kill bacteria and other microorganisms that may contaminate the machine after use. Disinfecting the machine, and a disposable kit used with the machine, may allow re-use of the disposable within a reasonable amount of time after completion of the disinfecting procedure. Dialysate treated with ultra-violet light or water with low concentrations of ozone also helps make the disposable kits suitable for reuse.