Dialysis Fluid Management Air-Free Filling With Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern dialysis machines face challenges in ensuring air-free filling of hydraulic systems due to geometric constraints in fluid lines, leading to incomplete disinfection and ineffective removal of gas bubbles, particularly at constrictions like coupling points.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system with a locking device and control device that alternately controls fluid conveying means to create pressure differentials, using pumps to separate fluid line portions and facilitate air bubble removal through recirculation and pressure compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a simple filling of the hydraulics with an even flow of the flushing solution is used, then the filling process is simple and fast, but air bubbles cannot be removed from components with impeding geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid line is divided into two separate portions (first and second fluid line portions) by a locking device. This segmentation allows independent pressure control in each portion, enabling the system to create pressure differentials that facilitate air bubble removal from geometrically challenging areas while maintaining overall system filling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is opened and closed repeatedly in a periodic manner during the filling process. This periodic action creates alternating pressure differentials that help dislodge and remove air bubbles from components with impeding geometry, ensuring complete air-free filling while maintaining reasonable filling speed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the hydraulic system is filled with air prior to disinfection, then the filling process is simpler, but complete wetting of surfaces with disinfectant cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air removal action during the filling process itself, before disinfection begins. By using the locking device to create pressure differentials that actively remove air bubbles, the system ensures complete wetting of surfaces is achieved in advance, making the subsequent disinfection process effective without requiring additional complex air removal steps.
3Reliability
If a locking device with pressure differential control is used to remove air bubbles, then air-free filling is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the flushing solution flow itself to create the pressure differentials needed for air bubble removal. The fluid conveying means generate pressure changes that are utilized by the locking device to segment and purge air from the system. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional dedicated air removal devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable air-free filling.
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
Effectively removes air bubbles from fluid lines, ensuring complete disinfection and efficient disinfectant distribution, even at constrictions, by repeatedly creating pressure differentials and recirculating flushing solution.
Implementation Method 1
control the first fluid conveying means for conveying liquid in the direction of the locking device in order to increase a pressure in the first fluid line portion upstream of the locking device
Implementation Method 2
control the second fluid conveying means for conveying liquid away from the locking device in order to lower a pressure in a second fluid line portion of the fluid line system downstream from the locking device
Implementation Method 3
chambers and hollow spaces comprising a geometry, which has the result that the ascending bubbles are located outside of the liquid flow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for filling and flushing the hydraulics of a dialysis machine, whereby a removal of air bubbles from the hydraulics is ensured.