Facility-Based Peritoneal Dialysis System for Reducing Solution Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current peritoneal dialysis treatments, especially midday exchanges, are cumbersome and inconvenient for patients, requiring them to store fresh dialysis solution and supplies at home or work, and lack accessibility for those without dedicated home equipment, particularly in developing countries.
Innovation Solution
A facility-based system providing multiple peritoneal dialysis treatment stations equipped with entertainment and work amenities, allowing patients to perform exchanges at remote locations such as work sites, public transportation hubs, or temporary dwellings, using automated and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis machines, with options for reusable dialysis fluid regeneration and efficient waste management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peritoneal dialysis treatment is performed at home with dedicated equipment, then treatment convenience is improved, but equipment cost and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual home-based dialysis systems with an automated cycler machine that performs dialysis exchanges automatically during sleep. This substitution eliminates the need for manual operation and reduces the burden of home equipment management while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialysis solution is prepared and the cycler machine is set up in advance before the patient goes to sleep. The automated exchanges occur during the night without requiring patient intervention, and the patient can resume normal activities the next day. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by making treatment convenient without requiring ongoing storage and manual management at home.
2Ease of operation
If automated peritoneal dialysis machine is used, then hands-free operation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cycler machine is designed to perform all dialysis exchanges automatically without requiring patient intervention. The machine self-regulates the infusion and drainage cycles, monitors parameters, and completes the entire treatment sequence autonomously during sleep. This self-service capability achieves hands-free operation while the automated nature simplifies the user interface and reduces operational complexity for the patient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dialysis solutions of varying concentrations are stored, then treatment flexibility is improved, but storage space and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cycler machine is designed to work with a single type of dialysis solution (such as icodextrin or glucose-based solutions) and can be programmed to perform multiple exchange cycles with the same solution type. The machine's automated control system provides treatment flexibility through programmable cycles, dwell times, and exchange patterns, eliminating the need to store multiple different solution concentrations while maintaining adaptability to various treatment prescriptions.
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
Enables convenient, cost-effective, and accessible peritoneal dialysis treatment for multiple patients without the need for home storage of dialysis solutions, reducing disposable waste and equipment costs, and accommodating busy schedules through flexible treatment locations and methods.
Implementation Method 1
Diffusion and osmosis exchanges take place between the dialysis solution and the bloodstream across the natural body membranes
Implementation Method 2
Diffusion and osmosis exchanges take place between the dialysis solution and the bloodstream across the natural body membranes
Data Source
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AI summary
A facility (100) for providing peritoneal dialysis exchanges for multiple peritoneal dialysis patients (16) is described. The system comprises: a plurality of peritoneal dialysis solutions of varying concentrations; and a system configured to accept information from a patient (16) concerning a treatment prescribed for the patient (16) via a prescription, and wherein the prescription designates one of the dialysis solutions, and wherein the facility (100) enables the patient (16) to prepare a peritoneal dialysis exchange at the facility (100) using the prescribed peritoneal dialysis solution.