Dialysis Machine Sensor Verification for Multi-Chamber Bag Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis systems with multi-chamber containers face challenges in ensuring proper opening of mechanically openable separation arrangements, leading to risks of incorrect mixing and potential harm to patients, as existing solutions lack sufficient security measures for sterility and accurate fluid composition verification.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis machine equipped with a control system and sensors that automatically check the proper opening of the separation arrangement in the multi-chamber container by measuring variables such as temperature, pressure, weight, or optical properties without direct contact with the fluid, ensuring the correct mixing of solutions before treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanically openable separating arrangement is used in a multi-chamber container, then easy handling and storage compatibility of individual solutions is improved, but the risk of improper opening and incorrect mixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors (optical, capacitive, or conductivity sensors) to detect whether the separating arrangement is properly opened and the chambers are correctly connected. This feedback is transmitted to the control system, which can then verify proper operation or alert the user to opening errors, ensuring reliable mixing while maintaining easy mechanical operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical opening verification with sensor-based detection systems. Optical sensors detect the presence/absence of the separator, capacitive sensors detect fluid mixing, and conductivity sensors verify solution composition. This substitution provides more reliable verification than mechanical means alone while maintaining ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If conductivity sensors are used to monitor solution mixing, then mixing accuracy is improved, but sterility requirements in peritoneal dialysis are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from direct contact with the dialysis fluid. Sensors are positioned to detect mixing indirectly through the bag wall or fluid interface without breaching sterility barriers. This allows conductivity and optical measurements to be performed while maintaining the closed, sterile fluid path required for peritoneal dialysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediary detection methods where sensors measure physical properties (optical density, capacitance, temperature) of the fluid or bag contents without direct fluid contact. These indirect measurements provide mixing verification while preserving sterility, acting as intermediaries between the measurement need and the sterile fluid system.
3Device complexity
If manual opening of the separator is required, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of user error and patient harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives feedback from sensors that detect whether the separator is properly opened and chambers are correctly connected. The system can provide real-time verification to the user and prevent treatment initiation if opening is improper, maintaining simple manual operation while eliminating patient risk through automated safety verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of proper opening and chamber connection before allowing treatment to proceed. Sensors check the separator position and fluid mixing status in advance, and the control system validates these conditions are met before initiating dialysis, preventing patient harm from incorrect mixing while keeping the opening mechanism simple.
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 minimizes risks to patients by ensuring the separation arrangement is properly opened before treatment, maintaining sterility, and preventing the use of incorrectly mixed dialysis fluids, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first chamber (310) of the multi-chamber container (300) is heated and a second chamber (320) is not heated, wherein the check is carried out by determining a temperature or a temperature change in the fluid system
Implementation Method 2
A dialysis machine equipped with a control system and sensors that automatically check the proper opening of the separation arrangement in the multi-chamber container by measuring variables such as temperature, pressure, weight, or optical properties
Implementation Method 3
a first chamber (310) of the multi-chamber container (300) is heated and a second chamber (320) is not heated
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dialysis machine, in particular a peritoneal dialysis machine, to which a fluid system having a multi-chamber container having at least two chambers can be coupled, which chambers have individual solutions and are separated by a separating arrangement to be opened mechanically, comprising a controller and at least one sensor for determining a measured variable in the fluid system, wherein the controller has a device for automatically checking if the separating arrangement of the multi-chamber container is opened properly, which device automatically checks if the separating arrangement of a multi-chamber container of a fluid system coupled to the dialysis machine is opened properly based on the measured variable determined by the sensor.