Dialysis System Pressure Monitoring for Reliable Heater Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis systems rely on mechanical level sensors which are prone to errors such as float jamming, leading to unreliable control of heating devices and valves, posing risks of system damage and malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for controlling dialysis systems using pressure-based monitoring in the degassing section to generate control signals for heaters and valves, allowing reliable operation by indirectly determining fluid levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical level sensors with floats are used to control heating devices, then the system can monitor fluid levels, but the sensors are prone to errors such as float jamming which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical level sensors with pressure sensors to monitor fluid levels. Instead of using floats that can jam mechanically, the system uses pressure measurements in the degassing section to indirectly determine fluid level, thereby eliminating the reliability issues associated with mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure fluid level. Rather than directly sensing the fluid level with mechanical sensors, the system measures pressure in the degassing section, which correlates with fluid level, providing a more reliable indirect measurement.
2Ease of operation
If heating devices are controlled based on mechanical level sensor readings, then heating can be regulated, but system damage and malfunctions may occur when fluid level is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical level sensor-based heating control with pressure-based control. The heating device is activated or deactivated based on pressure readings from the degassing section, which provide more accurate information about fluid level, preventing damage from heating with insufficient fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control using pressure measurements. The pressure sensor continuously monitors the degassing section pressure, and the control unit adjusts heating device operation based on this feedback, ensuring heating only occurs when adequate fluid is present.
3Reliability
If pressure-based control is implemented instead of mechanical level sensing, then reliability improves, but the system requires pressure sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pressure sensor serve multiple functions: it monitors both the pressure in the degassing section and indirectly determines fluid level for heating control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated level sensors, offsetting the added complexity of pressure-based control.
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 method reduces the risk of system damage and malfunctions by providing more reliable control of heating devices and valves, ensuring consistent fluid levels without relying on potentially unreliable mechanical sensors.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring the pressure in a degassing section of a fluid system of the dialysis system
Implementation Method 2
a heating device (105) for heating liquid in the dialysis system
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for a dialysis system for generating control data for pressure-based control of the dialysis system, the method comprising: monitoring the pressure in a degassing section of a fluid system of the dialysis system, generating control data when it is detected that the pressure meets at least one criterion, wherein generating the control data comprises generating a heater control signal for a heater of the dialysis system.