Dialysis Concentrate Line Flushing to Prevent Crystal Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dialysis units face issues with crystal formation in connecting lines due to stagnant dialysis fluid concentrates, leading to inefficient and costly flushing processes during disinfection, which prolongs therapy preparation time and increases software complexity.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis unit with a control unit that flushes unused dialysis fluid concentrates through connecting lines during the preparation phase, using a predetermined volume based on line geometry, and switches to the required concentrate only after flushing, minimizing inactive line time and preventing crystallization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing is performed during disinfection, then crystal formation is removed, but disinfection time increases and software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary flushing of connecting lines during the dialysis fluid preparation phase, before the actual dialysis therapy begins. The control unit automatically flushes lines that will not be used during the upcoming therapy, using a predetermined volume based on line geometry. This preliminary action prevents crystal formation without requiring additional time during disinfection, as the flushing occurs during the mandatory preparation phase anyway.
2Reliability
If flushing is performed during disinfection, then crystal formation is removed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines which connecting lines require flushing based on the therapy parameters and automatically executes the flushing sequence. The system self-manages the flushing process without requiring complex external control or manual intervention. The control unit stores geometry data of the connecting lines and automatically calculates the required flushing volume, making the system self-sufficient in managing crystal prevention.
3Ease of manufacture
If flushing is performed with permeate, then lines are cleaned, but large quantity of dialysis fluid concentrate must be discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of the flushing fluid from permeate to dialysis fluid concentrate. By using dialysis fluid concentrate for flushing, the system eliminates the need to discard large quantities of concentrate, as the flushed fluid can be integrated into the dialysis fluid preparation. The control unit automatically determines the appropriate flushing volume based on line geometry, optimizing the use of dialysis fluid concentrate and minimizing waste.
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 prevents crystal formation in connecting lines without significantly extending therapy preparation time, optimizing the process by integrating flushing into the preparation phase and reducing the need for post-therapy disinfection flushing.
Implementation Method 1
If the flow of the dialysis fluid concentrate in the corresponding line is stagnant, residual water can diffuse out of the concentrate
Implementation Method 2
This dialysate is conventionally prepared in the dialysis machine by diluting and mixing a basic and an acidic dialysate concentrate with reverse osmosis water/permeate
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a dialysis unit (1) with a dialysis machine (2) which has a dialysis fluid preparation device (30), a first central dialysis fluid concentrate supply device (5a) which is connected to the dialysis machine (2) via a first connecting line (9a), at least one second central dialysis fluid concentrate supply device (5b) which is connected to the dialysis machine (2) via a second connecting line (9b), and a control unit (14).When preparing the dialysis fluid for the subsequent dialysis therapy, the control unit (14) is configured to introduce a dialysis fluid concentrate or dialysis fluid concentrates not to be used in this therapy from the first dialysis fluid concentrate supply device (5a) and/or the second dialysis fluid concentrate supply device (5b) into the dialysis fluid preparation device (30) and to use them for mixing the dialysis fluid in order to flush the first connecting line (9a) and/or the second connecting line (9b), and only then to introduce a dialysis fluid concentrate to be used in the subsequent therapy into the dialysis fluid preparation device (30) and to use it for mixing the dialysis fluid. The disclosure further relates to a method for preparing a dialysis therapy and a computer program.