Peritoneal Dialysis Vacuum Drainage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current peritoneal dialysis systems require significant manual effort and time, especially for batch-type systems like CAPD, and often rely on gravity for both fill and drain cycles, which can be inefficient and uncomfortable for patients, particularly when sleeping on the floor or at low elevations.
Innovation Solution
A peritoneal dialysis system that combines gravity for filling with a vacuum source for draining, utilizing a control unit with a microprocessor to optimize fluid flow rates and pressure, allowing patients to drain fluid even when at low elevations, and incorporating a heater plate for dialysate temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gravity is used for both fill and drain cycles, then the system structure is simple, but the patient cannot drain fluid effectively when sleeping at low elevations and the treatment is uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gravity-based filling with vacuum-based draining in a single integrated system. The fill cycle uses gravity by positioning the dialysate bag above the patient, while the drain cycle uses a vacuum source connected to the drain bag to create negative pressure for fluid removal, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vacuum source (pneumatic component) to create negative pressure in the drain line and drain bag during the drain cycle. This pneumatic mechanism enables effective fluid drainage regardless of patient elevation, improving ease of operation while accepting increased device complexity.
2Productivity
If manual PD procedures are performed four times daily, then the treatment is effective for waste removal, but the patient spends significant time and effort on connections and disconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a twin bag set where the drain bag is pre-connected to the catheter and remains in place throughout multiple treatment cycles. Only the dialysate bag needs to be connected and disconnected, reducing the frequency of connections and disconnections while maintaining effective waste removal through repeated fill-dwell-drain cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain bag serves multiple functions: it collects spent dialysate during drain cycles, maintains a closed system during fill cycles, and can be gravity-drained into a collection container. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and frequent disconnections, improving productivity while reducing time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drain bag is positioned at high elevation for gravity drainage, then the system is simple, but the patient cannot sleep on the floor or at low elevations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vacuum source to create negative pressure that actively pulls fluid from the peritoneal cavity through the catheter and into the drain bag, regardless of elevation differences. This pneumatic drainage mechanism enables patients to sleep on the floor or at any elevation while maintaining effective fluid removal, achieving adaptability with acceptable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum source creates a counteracting force (negative pressure) that opposes gravity's effect on fluid drainage. This allows the drain bag to be positioned at any elevation below the patient without compromising drainage effectiveness, providing positioning flexibility while accepting the addition of a vacuum system.
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 provides a more efficient, comfortable, and automated dialysis process that reduces manual effort, allows for effective fluid exchange even at low elevations, and achieves optimal flow rates and dwell times, enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
A heater plate is positioned at the top of the stand. The heater plate supports and heats one or more supply bag
Implementation Method 2
A peritoneal dialysis system that combines gravity for filling with a vacuum source for draining
Implementation Method 3
A peritoneal dialysis system that combines gravity for filling with a vacuum source for draining
Implementation Method 4
Waste, toxins and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream, through the peritoneal membrane and into the dialysate due to diffusion and osmosis
Implementation Method 5
Waste, toxins and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream, through the peritoneal membrane and into the dialysate due to diffusion and osmosis
Data Source
AI summary
A peritoneal dialysis system includes a drain container; a drain line in fluid communication with the drain container and a patient's peritoneal cavity; a solenoid configured to permit a pneumatic force through a vacuum line and open a drain valve of the drain line; the vacuum source configured to apply and adjust the pneumatic force; the vacuum line; a weight sensor configured to output a weight of used dialysis fluid delivered to the drain container from the patient's peritoneal cavity; and the controller configured to: (i) determine an actual flow rate of used dialysis fluid removed from the patient's peritoneal cavity based on the output from the weight sensor; (ii) compare the actual flow rate to a desired flow rate; and (iii) adjust the pneumatic force applied by the vacuum source via the solenoid to attempt to match the actual flow rate to the optimal flow rate.