Dialysis Liquid Proportioning With Alternating Venturi Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of dialysis liquid for extracorporeal blood treatment is costly and inefficient due to the high financial and maintenance expenses associated with multiple dosing pumps and conductivity probes, which are prone to wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a Venturi mixer to alternately and intermittently add basic and acidic components to water, eliminating the need for multiple pumps and conductivity probes by utilizing a single measuring device and controlling fluid delivery through valves and Venturi mixers, with optional additional mixing devices for homogenization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple dosing pumps and conductivity probes are used for dialysis liquid production, then the composition control and safety monitoring are improved, but the financial expenditures and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dosing pumps into a single dosing pump that delivers both basic and acidic components alternately. This merging reduces the number of pumps from two to one, lowering equipment cost while maintaining composition control through sequential delivery and conductivity monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
A single conductivity probe is used to perform multiple functions: monitoring the basic component concentration, monitoring the acidic component concentration, and controlling the dosing process. This universal use of one probe replaces the need for multiple probes, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining reliable composition control.
2Productivity
If two dosing pumps are used to add basic and acidic components simultaneously, then the dialysis liquid production efficiency is improved, but the wear and tear on pumps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by delivering basic and acidic components alternately in sequences rather than simultaneously. The single dosing pump operates in alternating phases: first delivering basic component, then acidic component. This periodic delivery maintains production efficiency while reducing mechanical wear on the single pump compared to continuous operation of two pumps.
3Device complexity
If a pressure control valve is used to generate negative pressure for component suction, then dosing pumps can be eliminated, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principle by employing a Venturi mixer that generates negative pressure through fluid dynamics. The Venturi effect creates suction to draw basic and acidic components into the dialysis liquid without requiring a pressure control valve or additional pumps. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach eliminates expensive dosing pumps while avoiding the high manufacturing and maintenance costs of pressure control valves.
4Productivity
If continuous delivery of components is used, then the dialysis liquid production is improved, but the measurement accuracy with a single probe decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action with distinct time intervals: basic component is delivered first, then acidic component is delivered afterward. This temporal separation allows the single conductivity probe to measure each component's concentration accurately at different times, maintaining measurement precision while achieving continuous production through alternating delivery sequences.
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
Reduces equipment complexity and costs by minimizing the number of sensors and pumps, ensuring accurate and reliable dialysis liquid production with reduced maintenance, and preventing complications like alkalosis or acidosis.
Implementation Method 1
a conical constriction of the main line is provided immediately in front of an introduction point where the main line is connected to at least one supply line for the two fluids, and a conical widening of the main line is provided immediately after the introduction point... This creates a negative pressure in the main line at the introduction point according to the well-known Venturi principle, whereby the acidic and/or the basic fluid is/are sucked into the main line
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method that can be used to produce dialysis liquid for extracorporeal blood treatment. The device includes a main line for supplying water. An acidic and a basic fluid are introduced in specific dosages. The dosages are set by a control and regulation unit as a function of a chemical and/or physical parameter of the water/fluid mixture. The chemical and/or physical parameter is detected by a measuring device arranged at a section of the main conduit situated downstream of the introduction points for the acidic fluid and for the basic fluid. The control and regulation unit controls introduction of the acidic fluid and basic fluid so that only one of the acid and basic fluids is introduced into the main conduit over a predetermined period or a predetermined interval. Delivery and introduction of the basic fluid and acidic fluid take place alternately.