Dialysis Priming via Sterilizing Filter Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dialysis machines face challenges in efficiently priming the extracorporeal blood treatment circuit due to the need for large amounts of sterile saline solution, high costs associated with modern machines capable of on-line treatment, and the risk of manual errors and spillage during the priming process.
Innovation Solution
A control system and method that utilize a sterilizing filter in a closed loop of the second flow circuit to sterilize a human-compatible fluid, allowing any dialysis machine to produce a sterile fluid for priming, thereby reducing manual intervention, spillage, and the need for large quantities of sterile solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional priming with sterile saline solution is used, then the extracorporeal circuit can be primed, but large amounts of saline solution are consumed and heavy bags need to be stored and handled
Solution Approach 1:
The dialysis machine uses its own internal treatment fluid to prime the extracorporeal circuit, eliminating the need for external sterile saline bags. The system serves itself by utilizing resources already available within the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment fluid serves dual purposes: it is used for dialysis treatment and also for priming the extracorporeal circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate priming fluids.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modern dialysis machines with on-line capability are used, then substitution fluid can be prepared on-line and used for priming, but the machines are costly with respect to purchase and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential priming function from the complex on-line fluid preparation system. By using a simple sterilizing filter and the existing treatment fluid reservoir, it achieves sterile priming without requiring the full on-line capability infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses a disposable sterilizing filter instead of investing in expensive on-line preparation machinery. This approach provides the necessary sterility function at a much lower cost, accepting that the filter is a single-use component.
3Reliability
If conventional priming with manual handling is used, then the extracorporeal circuit can be primed, but there is a risk of spilling priming fluid at and around the dialysis machine
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically primes the circuit using its own internal fluid supply, eliminating manual handling of external saline bags. The machine performs the priming function itself, reducing human error and spillage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizing filter acts as an intermediary component that enables the connection between the treatment fluid reservoir and the extracorporeal circuit while maintaining sterility. This intermediary allows for a controlled, closed-system approach that minimizes spillage.
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 facilitates the production of sterile fluid for priming, reducing costs, minimizing manual handling and spillage, and enabling the use of existing dialysis machines without on-line capability, thus making the priming process more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the human-compatible fluid flows through the semi-permeable membrane into the second flow circuit
Implementation Method 2
circulate said portion of the human-compatible fluid in the closed loop of second flow circuit, to thereby sterilize said portion of the human-compatible fluid by the sterilizing filter
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A control system is configured to implement a method of preparing a blood treatment apparatus (1) for blood treatment. The method comprises installing, by use of a disposable arrangement, first and second flow circuits (C1, C2) separated by a semi- permeable membrane (25), the first flow circuit (C1) being connected for fluid communication with the apparatus (1) and the second flow circuit (C2) being connected to form a closed loop that includes a sterilizing filter (46) and, optionally, a container (30). The method further comprises performing backfiltration to transfer a human- compatible fluid from the first flow circuit (C1) to the second flow circuit (C2) through the semi-permeable membrane (25), and circulating (304) the human-compatible fluid in the closed loop of second flow circuit (C2), to thereby sterilize the human-compatible fluid by the sterilizing filter (46) and, optionally, collect a resulting sterile fluid in the container (30) for later use.