Hemodiafiltration Apparatus Using Electromagnetic Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemodialysis methods are ineffective in removing protein-bound uremic toxins due to their poor solubility and binding to albumin, which is retained by dialysis membranes, limiting the removal of these toxins during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A hemodiafiltration apparatus that exposes blood to a high-frequency electromagnetic field and/or an electric DC field before and during dialysis, shifting the equilibrium between free and protein-bound toxins, and controlling the infusion rates of replacement fluids to enhance the removal of protein-bound toxins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional hemodialysis methods are used, then water-soluble toxins can be removed, but protein-bound uremic toxins cannot be effectively removed due to their binding to albumin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-frequency electromagnetic fields and/or direct electric fields to change the physical-chemical parameters of the blood-toxin-protein system. These fields alter the equilibrium state between free and protein-bound toxins, increasing the proportion of free toxins available for dialysis removal, thereby resolving the contradiction of ineffective protein-bound toxin removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/physical dialysis process with a combined approach that incorporates electromagnetic field effects. The electromagnetic fields act on the charged toxin molecules and protein structures to modify binding equilibria, substituting field-based manipulation for conventional mechanical diffusion-only removal
2Quantity of substance
If dialysis time is extended to allow equilibrium re-establishment, then more toxins could be removed, but treatment time is not available in clinical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic fields are applied before and during the dialysis treatment to preemptively shift the toxin equilibrium toward the free form. This preliminary action ensures that when dialysis begins, a larger proportion of toxins are already in the removable free state, eliminating the need for extended treatment times to achieve adequate toxin removal
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic fields are applied continuously before and during the dialysis session to maintain the shifted equilibrium state. This continuous application ensures that the favorable equilibrium condition is sustained throughout the entire treatment period, maximizing toxin removal efficiency within the available treatment time
3Quantity of substance
If replacement fluid is supplied upstream from the dialyzer (predilution mode), then protein-bound toxins can be better accessed, but albumin loss and coagulation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic fields modify the binding parameters between toxins and albumin, reducing the strength and affinity of this interaction. This parameter change allows toxins to be more readily available for removal without requiring aggressive predilution that would cause albumin loss and coagulation complications
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic field acts as an intermediary that mediates the interaction between toxins and albumin. By applying the field, the toxin-protein binding equilibrium is modulated to favor toxin release without the need for mechanical dilution that would harm albumin and trigger coagulation
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 approach accelerates the establishment of equilibrium, improving the purification effect for protein-bound toxins, maintaining membrane efficiency, and reducing the risk of albumin loss and coagulation issues, while combining the advantages of predilution and postdilution modes.
Implementation Method 1
the blood to be purified is exposed to the high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field and/or to the electric DC field before and/or during its contact with the dialyzer
Implementation Method 2
This approach accelerates the establishment of equilibrium, improving the purification effect for protein-bound toxins
Implementation Method 3
with a hemodialyzer and/or a hemofilter, which is connected to the blood circulation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for hemodiafiltration with an extracorporeal circulation (10) for receiving blood to be purified and having a hemodialyzer and/or hemofilter (20) which is connected to the blood circulation (10), such that the blood circulation (10) has at least one inlet line (12, 14) for the supply of a replacement fluid upstream and downstream from the hemodialyzer and/or hemofilter (20), characterized in that the apparatus also comprises measurement apparatuses for recording the transmembrane pressure and/or hematocrit (HKT) and/or blood density, such that the measurement apparatuses are connected to a control unit (100) for controlling one or more of the transmembrane pressure and/or the hematocrit (HKT) and/or the blood density, the control unit (100) being constructed so that the control is implemented with the help of at least one of the infusion rates (Qspre, Qspost) of the replacement fluid (13, 15), and the blood to be purified is exposed to a high-frequency electromagnetic field and/or an electric DC field (70) before and/or during contact with the hemodialyzer and/or hemofilter (20).