Dialyzer Priming Reverse Filtration for Air-Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dialysis apparatuses require cumbersome manual procedures to eliminate air bubbles during the priming process, especially when the vein passage is facing upward, necessitating inversion of the dialyzer.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis apparatus with a bypass passage, pressurizing and depressurizing devices, and controlling mechanisms to facilitate reverse filtration of priming fluid through the blood purification membrane, allowing air bubbles to be discharged without inverting the dialyzer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dialyzer is held with the vein passage facing upward during priming, then the dialyzer can be positioned correctly for dialysis treatment, but air bubbles accumulate in the upper part of the dialyzer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse filtration by inverting the normal filtration direction. During priming, the blood purification membrane performs reverse filtration where priming fluid flows from the dialysis fluid flow path side to the blood flow path side, causing air bubbles to be pushed toward the dialysis fluid supply passage (upper position) and discharged, rather than accumulating in the upper part of the dialyzer during normal filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure control through the pressurizing device to apply pressure to the dialysis fluid circuit, driving the priming fluid through the blood purification membrane in reverse direction. This hydraulic pressure mechanism enables the priming fluid to flow against the normal direction, pushing air bubbles out of the dialyzer without inverting it
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the dialyzer is inverted to eliminate air bubbles, then air bubbles can be removed from the dialyzer, but the procedure becomes cumbersome requiring manual work and monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the dialyzer to self-eliminate air bubbles through automated reverse filtration control. The controlling device automatically manages the pressurizing device and open/close valves to perform reverse filtration, pushing air bubbles out without requiring manual inversion or monitoring by workers. The system serves itself by using its own pressure control mechanisms to remove air bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual inversion procedure with an automated pressure control system. Instead of physically inverting the dialyzer (mechanical action requiring human intervention), the system uses the pressurizing device and controlling device to create pressure differences that automatically drive reverse filtration and air bubble discharge, substituting mechanical manual operations with automated pneumatic control
3Object-generated harmful factors
If reverse filtration is performed using the pressurizing device, then priming fluid flows into the blood flow path and air bubbles are discharged, but the dialysis fluid circuit requires additional valves and bypass passages
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass passage serves multiple functions: it allows the dialysis fluid supply passage and dialysis fluid retrieval passage to communicate with each other, enables pressure equalization during normal operation, and facilitates the reverse filtration process during priming. The open/close valves serve dual purposes of controlling normal dialysis fluid flow and enabling the reverse filtration mode, reducing the need for entirely separate components
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
Efficient elimination of air bubbles within the dialyzer without manual intervention, reducing worker burden and enhancing the priming procedure efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
causes the priming fluid to be reversely filtered through the blood purification membrane and to flow from the dialysis fluid flow path into the blood flow path
Implementation Method 2
causes the depressurizing device to depressurize the dialysis fluid circuit to cause a pressure difference between the blood circuit and the dialysis fluid circuit
Implementation Method 3
the priming fluid in the blood flow path to be filtered forward through the blood purification membrane, so that the priming fluid flows into the dialysis fluid flow path and is discharged into the dialysis fluid supply passage together with air bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A dialysis apparatus including a dialyzer with an interior sectioned by a blood purification membrane into blood and dialysis flow paths, a blood circuit including vein and artery passages connected to the blood flow path, and a dialysis fluid circuit including a dialysis fluid supply and fluid retrieval passages connected to the dialysis fluid flow path. The apparatus includes a bypass passage allowing communication between the dialysis fluid supply and retrieval passages, a dialysis fluid supply open/close valve provided between a connection position at which the dialysis fluid supply passage is connected to the bypass passage and the dialyzer, a dialysis fluid discharge open/close valve provided between a connection position at which the dialysis fluid retrieval passage is connected to the bypass passage and the dialyzer, a pressurizing device for pressurizing the dialysis fluid circuit, and a depressurizing device for depressurizing the dialysis fluid circuit and a controlling device.