Hemodialysis Fluid Container with Filtered Bicarbonate Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hemodialysis systems require large quantities of water to achieve the desired bicarbonate concentration in dialysate solutions, which is unsustainable in water-scarce environments, leading to non-homogeneous solutions due to incomplete powder dissolution.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a first portion for bicarbonate powder and a second portion in fluid communication, featuring a filter that allows dissolved bicarbonate to pass through while retaining undissolved powder, along with sensors to monitor and adjust fluid flow for consistent concentration, and optional baffles for turbulence to ensure homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large quantities of water (150 L) are used to mix with bicarbonate powder in existing bibags, then the desired concentration of dialysate solution is achieved, but water consumption becomes unsustainable in water-scarce environments
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a first portion for receiving fluid and a second portion for containing bicarbonate powder, separated by a filter. This segmentation allows controlled interaction between fluid and powder, enabling complete dissolution with minimal water while maintaining solution concentration consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary element between the fluid reception portion and the bicarbonate powder. The filter enables selective passage of dissolved bicarbonate while retaining undissolved powder, ensuring homogeneous solution concentration even when using reduced water quantities (5 L per treatment).
2Quantity of substance
If significantly less water is used to mix with bicarbonate powder in existing bibags, then water consumption is reduced, but the powder does not dissolve entirely resulting in non-homogenous solution
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the container into distinct portions for fluid reception and powder containment, separated by a filter, the system enables complete powder dissolution with minimal water. The filter ensures that only fully dissolved bicarbonate passes into the solution portion, maintaining homogeneity even at 5 L water consumption per treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary that selectively allows dissolved bicarbonate to pass while blocking undissolved powder particles. This mechanism guarantees solution homogeneity and compositional stability regardless of the reduced water quantity used for dissolution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a filter is added between the first portion and second portion to retain undissolved powder, then solution homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into two portions connected by a filter, creating a relatively simple dual-chamber structure. This segmentation achieves solution homogeneity while adding minimal structural complexity compared to conventional single-chamber bibags.
Solution Approach 2:
A porous filter material is used to separate the fluid reception portion from the powder containment portion. The filter's pore structure allows dissolved bicarbonate to pass while retaining undissolved powder, achieving homogeneity with a relatively simple and inexpensive filter component.
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 design reduces water usage to 5 L per treatment, ensuring a homogenous bicarbonate solution by filtering undissolved powder and using sensors to maintain concentration, making hemodialysis feasible in resource-limited areas.
Implementation Method 1
a filter disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The container may be configured to receive a fluid flow into the first portion to at least partially dissolve the powder thereby forming a solution, such that the solution and at least a portion of a dissolved powder is passable through the filter into the second portion, and further such that any undissolved portion of the powder is not passable through the filter into the second portion
Implementation Method 2
optional baffles for turbulence to ensure homogeneity
Data Source
AI summary
A container for forming a solution for use in a hemodialysis device comprises a first portion comprising a powder, a second portion disposed separate from and in fluid communication with the first portion, and a filter disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The container is configured to receive a fluid flow into the first portion to at least partially dissolve the powder thereby forming a solution, such that the solution and at least a portion of the dissolved powder is passable through the filter into the second portion, and further such that any undissolved portion of the powder is not passable through the filter into the second portion. The filter may be configured such that the solution of the fluid and the at least the portion of the dissolved powder is filtered into the second portion of the container is homogenous.