Integrated Dialyzer Pump Rotor to Reduce Setup Time and Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood treatment systems for renal dysfunction are cumbersome, require multiple setup steps, and have potential for human error, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically driven, magnetically levitating pump rotor integrated into a dialyzer with pressure sensor chambers and a treatment module that consolidates multiple functionalities, reducing setup complexity and minimizing extracorporeal tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional blood treatment systems are used with separate pumps and multiple setup steps, then the system can perform blood treatment functions, but the setup time increases and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump function and dialyzer into a single integrated unit. The pump rotor is positioned within the dialyzer housing, eliminating the need for separate external pumps and reducing the number of connection steps required during setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialyzer housing serves multiple functions: it contains the dialysis membrane for blood purification, houses the pump rotor for fluid circulation, and provides mounting structures for both components. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional blood treatment systems with separate pumps and extensive tubing are used, then blood treatment can be performed, but the risk of hemolysis increases due to longer tubing and more connections
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the pump rotor directly into the dialyzer housing, the patent eliminates extensive external tubing and multiple connection points, thereby reducing the risk of hemolysis associated with traditional systems.
3Productivity
If traditional blood treatment systems with multiple separate components are used, then the required functions can be achieved, but the treatment costs increase due to inefficiencies and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of pump and dialyzer into a single unit reduces the number of components that require assembly, monitoring, and maintenance, thereby improving treatment efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows the pump rotor to be driven directly by a magnetic field generated within the dialyzer housing, eliminating the need for external drive mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
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 integration reduces setup time, minimizes tubing length, lowers hemolysis risk, and decreases potential for errors, thereby lowering treatment costs and improving patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field-generating pump drive unit
Implementation Method 2
The waste and toxins, including excess fluids, dialyze out of the blood through the semi-permeable membrane into the dialysate
Implementation Method 3
diffuse mass transport is predominant in hemodialysis (HD)
Implementation Method 4
pressure sensor chambers with flexible membranous walls against which corresponding pressure transducers of the treatment modules can interface to detect arterial and/or venous pressures
Data Source
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AI summary
Dialyzer systems can consolidate multiple technologies and functionalities of blood treatment systems in a significantly integrated fashion. For example, this disclosure describes dialyzer systems that include a magnetically driven and magnetically levitating pump rotor integrated into the dialyzer. Such a dialyzer can be used with treatment modules that include a magnetic field-generating pump drive unit. In some embodiments, the dialyzers include pressure sensor chambers with flexible membranes with which corresponding pressure transducers of the treatment modules can interface to detect arterial and/or venous pressures.