Modular Dialysis System Sorbent Cartridge Potable Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dialysis systems require large volumes of purified water, are bulky, and often necessitate complex infrastructure, making them impractical for frequent or portable use, especially in developing regions or for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who need more frequent treatments.

Innovation Solution

A modular dialysis system with a controlled compliant flow path that allows for selective metering of fluid and uses a sorbent cartridge and microbial filter, capable of operating with potable water, eliminating the need for sterile saline and reducing system size and weight, enabling more frequent and portable hemodialysis treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional dialysis systems are used, then adequate fluid removal and waste product removal are achieved, but the systems require large volumes of purified water and complex infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of purified waterVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the chemical parameters of water by adding chlorine and bromine to the controlled compliant flow path, transforming ordinary water into a functional dialysis medium that eliminates the need for large volumes of purified water while maintaining effective dialysis function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses disposable test strips that detect specific chemical parameters (chlorine, bromine, pH) to monitor the dialysis fluid quality, replacing the need for complex continuous monitoring infrastructure with simple, inexpensive, single-use testing devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If traditional dialysis systems are used, then effective hemodialysis treatment is provided, but the systems are bulky and not portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the heavy water purification infrastructure from the dialysis system, using instead a simplified approach where ordinary water is chemically conditioned and monitored with lightweight test strips, enabling portable dialysis treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simple visual colorimetric test strips that automatically indicate fluid quality parameters through color changes, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors and processing equipment, thereby reducing system weight while maintaining treatment reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If traditional dialysis systems are used, then adequate fluid control is achieved, but the systems are complex to operate and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment frequencyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs disposable test strips for each dialysis session that provide immediate visual feedback on fluid quality, eliminating the need for complex calibration and maintenance of electronic monitoring systems, making the system easier to operate and enabling more frequent treatments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses colorimetric test strips that change color based on chemical parameters (chlorine, bromine, pH levels), providing intuitive visual indicators of fluid quality that are easy for patients to interpret, simplifying operation and enabling self-monitoring for frequent home treatments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 system enables more frequent and portable hemodialysis treatments using minimal water, simplifying setup and maintenance, and reducing the need for extensive infrastructure, thereby increasing accessibility for ESRD patients.

Implementation Method 1

A sorbent cartridge and microbial filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

A sorbent cartridge and microbial filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

across a semi-permeable membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

Fluid removal is accomplished via pressure-driven convective transport through the membrane, commonly referred to as ultrafiltration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrafiltration: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10532141B2Systems and methods for multifunctional volumetric fluid control

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 MOZARC MEDICAL US LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling fluid movement and volumes of fluid between a subject and a controlled compliant flow path. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the controlled compliant flow path. An extracorporeal flow path is in fluid communication with the controlled compliant flow path across a semi-permeable membrane where the extracorporeal flow path has a first terminal end and a second terminal end.