Electrodeionization Dialysis Fluid Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sorbent-based dialysis systems are costly, disposable, and face challenges in removing all uremic toxins and tap water impurities, with concerns over solution purity and potential chemical leaching, such as zirconium, leading to pH and sodium balance issues.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electrodeionization (EDI) system with removable carbon and urease cartridges in portable dialysis devices, which recycles dialysate by removing ionic contaminants, providing a reusable and cost-effective solution with high purity output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sorbent technology is used to remove uremic toxins from waste dialysate, then very low volumes of fluid are required to achieve high volume dialysis treatments, but the system incurs high cartridge costs and requires disposability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a regenerative system where the sorbent cartridge is not discarded but regenerated in place. The cartridge undergoes cyclic regeneration using a small volume of regeneration solution that is then discarded, while the cartridge itself is restored and reused. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining low fluid volume requirements while eliminating the need for disposable cartridges, thereby reducing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If sorbent cartridges are used for toxin removal, then high cartridge costs and disposability are incurred, but using reusable alternatives may compromise solution purity due to insufficient removal of tap water impurities and uremic toxins
Solution Approach 1:
The regenerative cartridge system maintains solution purity through a multi-step regeneration process that thoroughly cleans the sorbent material. The cartridge is washed with water to remove accumulated toxins, then treated with regeneration solution to restore its adsorption capacity, and finally rinsed again. This cyclic recovery process ensures the cartridge reliably removes toxins across multiple uses without compromising solution purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous toxin removal capability by maintaining the cartridge in a ready state through automated regeneration cycles. The cartridge continuously alternates between service mode (removing toxins from dialysate) and regeneration mode (being cleaned and restored), ensuring that whenever needed, the cartridge is in a high-performance state capable of reliably removing toxins and impurities.
3Manufacturing precision
If sorbent cartridges are used, then selective ion removal is achieved, but chemical leaching from the sorbent material (e.g., zirconium) may occur, leading to pH and sodium balance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration process actively removes leached chemicals from the cartridge by washing it with large volumes of water and regeneration solution. This flushing action dissolves and removes any zirconium or other chemicals that may have leached from the sorbent material during use, preventing accumulation of harmful substances and maintaining pH and sodium balance in the dialysis fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of chemical leaching into a beneficial regeneration signal. The presence of leached chemicals and accumulated toxins in the cartridge serves as an indicator that regeneration is needed. The regeneration process then uses these same chemicals as part of the washing and restoration sequence, ultimately removing them and restoring the cartridge to a safe, effective state.
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
EDI systems achieve verifiably pure recycled dialysis fluid with reduced fluid usage, long-term reusability, and low operating costs, effectively addressing the shortcomings of sorbent systems by removing all ionic contaminants and maintaining fluid balance.
Implementation Method 1
passing a spent dialysis fluid from a dialyzer through a carbon source, a urease source and an electrodeionization unit to produce a clean dialysis fluid
Implementation Method 2
passing a spent dialysis fluid from a dialyzer through a carbon source
Implementation Method 3
passing a spent dialysis fluid from a dialyzer through a carbon source, a urease source
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system (10) includes a carbon source (40), a urease source (50) and an electrodeionization unit (30). The carbon source (40) and urease source (50) can be in the form of removable cartridges.