Dialysis Membrane Conditioning via Controlled Ultrafiltration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dialysis machines exhibit uneven local sieving coefficients along the dialyzer membrane, leading to inconsistent membrane conditioning and increased albumin loss during treatment due to varying transmembrane and oncotic pressures.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis machine with a control unit that implements a conditioning cycle with an ultrafiltration rate exceeding blood flow, creating a pressure gradient for uniform membrane exposure to blood proteins, reducing albumin loss by ensuring even membrane conditioning across the dialyzer length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional dialysis treatment is performed with normal ultrafiltration rates, then treatment proceeds normally, but membrane conditioning remains uneven leading to high albumin loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by performing a conditioning cycle at the beginning of dialysis treatment to prepare the membrane before actual therapy. This preliminary ultrafiltration process creates a more uniform secondary membrane structure in advance, preventing excessive albumin loss during subsequent treatment phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters during the conditioning phase by setting ultrafiltration rate to exceed blood flow rate (reversing the normal relationship), and maintaining dialysate flow at 0-300 ml/min. These parameter changes create uniform transmembrane pressure distribution that promotes even membrane conditioning and reduces albumin loss.
2Productivity
If ultrafiltration rate is increased to improve membrane conditioning, then conditioning speed increases, but pressure gradient becomes uneven across the dialyzer membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies equipotentiality by creating a more uniform pressure distribution across the dialyzer membrane during conditioning. By setting dialysate flow to 0-300 ml/min and making ultrafiltration rate exceed blood flow rate, the system achieves relatively equal transmembrane pressure at all points along the membrane, enabling uniform conditioning without pressure hotspots.
3Manufacturing precision
If dialysate flow is reduced to enhance membrane conditioning uniformity, then conditioning evenness improves, but treatment efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies periodic action by implementing a distinct conditioning cycle phase at the beginning of treatment, separated from the subsequent therapy phase. During this temporary conditioning period, dialysate flow is reduced to 0-300 ml/min to achieve uniform membrane preparation, then normal treatment parameters are restored for efficient albumin removal while benefiting from the pre-conditioned membrane.
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 achieves a uniform secondary membrane structure, reduces albumin loss, and enhances hemocompatibility by ensuring even filtration and reduced sieving coefficients, minimizing the loss of essential proteins and substances.
Implementation Method 1
a dialyzer (104) having a dialysis membrane (105) which separates its blood side from its dialysate side
Implementation Method 2
the deposition of albumin and other blood components on the dialysis membrane forms a secondary membrane
Implementation Method 3
an ultrafiltration rate which exceeds the blood flow through the dialyzer... A pressure gradient is created across the dialysis membrane, which is accompanied by a withdrawal of fluid from the blood
Implementation Method 4
the ultrafiltration rate can be regulated, for example, using an ultrafiltration pump
Implementation Method 5
the deposition of albumin and other blood components on the dialysis membrane forms a secondary membrane, which leads to a desirable better sieving effect for large proteins such as albumin
Implementation Method 6
the screening effect for large proteins such as albumin is greatly improved
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a dialysis device, comprising an extracorporeal blood circuit, a dialyzer, and a dialysate circuit, wherein a blood pump is arranged in the extracorporeal blood circuit, wherein the dialyzer has a dialysis membrane, which separates the blood side of the dialyzer from the dialysate side of the dialyzer, wherein the dialysis device has a control unit, which is designed to perform a conditioning cycle, which comprises a conditioning phase, in which an ultrafiltration rate exceeds the blood flow through the dialyzer, which blood flow is conveyed by the blood pump.