Elastic Dialysis Container Nesting for Water Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for preparing dialysis solutions require large quantities of ultrapure water, leading to handling and transport challenges, as well as energetic disadvantages during storage and transport.

Innovation Solution

A container arrangement comprising a first, elastic container for holding a concentrate that expands into a second, non-elastic container upon filling with a solvent, such as pure water, to form a ready-to-use dialysis solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large quantities of ultrapure water are used for dialysis solution preparation, then the dialysis solution can be prepared, but handling and transport become difficult and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of ultrapure waterVSAvoidhandling and transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dialysis solution is segmented into two separate containers: a first container holding the concentrate and a second container holding the solvent (ultrapure water). This segmentation allows the concentrate to be transported in a compact form while the solvent is added at the point of use, significantly reducing the amount of water that needs to be handled and transported during storage and transport phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first container (elastically expandable concentrate container) is nested within the second container (solvent container). This nesting arrangement allows the concentrate to be stored in a compact state within the solvent container, and when the solvent is added, the first container expands to accommodate the mixing process, optimizing space utilization and reducing transport volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If large quantities of ultrapure water are transported and stored, then dialysis solution preparation is enabled, but energy consumption for transport and storage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of ultrapure waterVSAvoidenergy for storage and transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the dialysis solution into concentrate and solvent components stored in separate containers, the invention eliminates the need to transport and store large quantities of pre-mixed dialysis solution. Only the concentrated form factor (small volume) needs to be transported and stored, dramatically reducing the energy requirements for these operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If an elastically expandable container is used for the concentrate, then the container can expand upon filling with solvent, but the container needs structural support to bound its expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpandability of containerVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastically expandable first container is nested within the second container, which serves as a bounding structure. The second container provides the necessary structural support and volume constraints, while the first container maintains its elasticity to expand and contract as needed during the filling and mixing process. This nested arrangement simplifies the overall structure by combining the expandability function and the structural support function in two separate but coordinated containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This solution reduces the amount of water needed to be moved during handling and preparation, enhances handling and transport efficiency, and provides structural strength to the container arrangement.

Implementation Method 1

the first container has a greater elasticity than the second container and wherein the first container is configured to expand up to the second container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12337092B2Container arrangement, method of filling a container arrangement, and use of a solution as a dialysis solution

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a container arrangement having a first container wherein the first container is either a container in which a concentrate is located that is configured to form a ready-to-use dialysis solution or a component thereof on a dilution with a solvent, preferably with pure water (water for injection), or an empty container, wherein the container arrangement has a second container in which the first container is received, with the first container having a greater elasticity than the second container and with the first container being configured to expand up to the second container.