Forward Osmosis PD Fluid Production Using Effluent Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of centrally manufactured PD fluids for peritoneal dialysis adds treatment costs and environmental impact, and patient handling of these fluids is burdensome, requiring a cost-effective and space-efficient solution for producing PD fluid at the point of care.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a forward osmosis unit to dilute PD concentrates with effluent water, controlled by a concentration sensor and pumps to produce PD fluid on-site, reducing water demand and simplifying patient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PD fluid is centrally manufactured and shipped to patients, then the fluid can be readily available for use, but transportation costs increase and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The PD fluid is divided into two components: a concentrated solution that can be stored and transported efficiently, and water that is added locally. This segmentation allows the valuable medicinal components to be shipped in minimal volume while the bulk water is sourced locally, reducing transportation costs and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is extracted from the final PD fluid product and replaced with local water sources. The concentrated PD solution contains all necessary medicinal components, and water is added at the point of use, separating the transportable essential components from the non-transportable bulk component.
2Ease of operation
If PD fluid is stored in the patient's home, then it is ready for immediate use, but storage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The PD fluid storage requirement is segmented into a small concentrated solution that can be easily stored at home, and water that is sourced locally during treatment. This dramatically reduces the storage volume needed in the patient's home while maintaining treatment readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrated PD solution is prepared and stored in advance in a compact form. During treatment, water is added to the concentrate to create the full-volume PD fluid, eliminating the need to store large volumes of ready-to-use fluid at home.
3Extent of automation
If PD fluid is handled by the patient prior to treatment, then the treatment can be performed autonomously, but the patient burden increases due to the weight of PD fluid bags
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy PD fluid bag is segmented into a lightweight concentrated solution container that the patient can easily handle, and a water source that is obtained locally during treatment. This reduces the weight the patient must move and position while maintaining the ability to perform treatment autonomously.
4Loss of substance
If a forward osmosis unit is used to dilute PD concentrates with effluent water, then water demand is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forward osmosis unit automatically dilutes the PD concentrate using effluent water from the patient's body, eliminating the need for external water purification systems. The system uses the patient's own effluent as the water source, and the forward osmosis process automatically separates and concentrates the water without requiring complex filtration or purification equipment.
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 achieves a 50-70% reduction in pure water demand and simplifies patient handling by producing PD fluid efficiently at the point of care, minimizing transportation and storage needs.
Implementation Method 1
water from the effluent is transported to the one or more PD concentrate fluids through the FO-membrane by means of an osmotic pressure gradient between the draw side and the feed side
Data Source
AI summary
A system for producing fluid for peritoneal dialysis (PD) is disclosed. The system includes a fluid path including two or more PD concentrate connectors that are each connected to a source of PD concentrate fluid, and an inlet connector connected to a fluid line arranged for transportation of effluent fluid from a patient. The system also includes a forward osmosis (FO)-unit including a draw side and a feed side separated by a FO-membrane. The FO-unit is fluidly connected to the fluid path and receives one or more PD concentrate fluids at the draw side and the effluent fluid at the feed side. Water is transported from the effluent fluid to the one or more PD concentrate fluids through the FO-membrane via an osmotic pressure gradient between the draw side and the feed side, thereby diluting the one or more PD concentrate fluids into a diluted PD concentrate fluid.