Modular Hemofiltration Apparatus for Neonatal CRRT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemodialysis systems require inconvenient and time-consuming setup procedures for different blood therapies, often necessitating removal of equipment from the patient's bedside for configuration changes, and lack effective safeguards against volumetric errors during continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT).
Innovation Solution
A modular hemofiltration apparatus with an interactive operator control system that calculates and displays maximum allowable fluid gain or loss based on patient weight, triggering alarms and stopping pumps to prevent volumetric errors, and allows for easy panel and filter cartridge changes, ensuring safe and efficient CRRT therapies, particularly for neonatal and pediatric patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed-configuration hemodialysis system is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the setup time for different blood therapies is long and the apparatus must be removed from patient bedside for reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a control unit with blood pump, fluid pump, and removable panel assemblies. Each panel assembly contains specific tubing configurations that can be independently changed. This segmentation allows the main control unit to remain at patient bedside while only the panel assemblies are changed for different therapies.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel assemblies are designed to be removable and replaceable, transforming the static configuration into a dynamic one. The system can adapt its tubing configuration by swapping panel assemblies, enabling quick transitions between different blood therapy types without complete reconfiguration or relocation of the apparatus.
2Device complexity
If manual setup procedures are used for different blood therapies, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the operation convenience is poor and requires removal from patient bedside
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically identifies the installed panel assembly type through sensors and barcodes, and autonomously configures the blood pump and fluid pump parameters according to the detected panel type. This self-service capability eliminates manual reconfiguration steps and allows therapists to quickly change therapies by simply swapping panel assemblies without complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts operational parameters (pump speeds, flow rates, pressures) based on the detected panel assembly type. When a panel assembly is changed, the control unit detects the new configuration and modifies the relevant parameters to match the required therapy protocol, simplifying the operation for different blood therapy types.
3Device complexity
If standard hemodialysis systems are used, then the device structure is simple, but the safety against volumetric errors is insufficient for neonatal and pediatric patients
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the actual fluid volumes delivered by the blood pump and fluid pump, comparing them against the maximum allowable limits calculated from patient weight. When approaching the safety threshold, the system provides feedback warnings to the operator. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures real-time detection and prevention of dangerous volumetric errors in vulnerable pediatric and neonatal patients.
Solution Approach 2:
Before starting a blood therapy, the system requires entry of patient weight and automatically calculates the maximum allowable fluid gain or loss limits. This preliminary action establishes safety boundaries before the therapy begins, ensuring that the control system is pre-configured with appropriate safety parameters specific to each patient's size and condition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If prepackaged therapy assemblies are used, then the therapy selection is flexible, but the initial setup and component assembly time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the therapy-specific components into removable panel assemblies that contain pre-configured tubing sets and filters. This segmentation allows the flexible, therapy-specific components to be pre-packaged while keeping the time-consuming assembly steps minimal, as only the panel assemblies need to be swapped rather than assembling entire therapy systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing sets and filters within each panel assembly are pre-assembled and pre-configured for specific therapy types during manufacturing. This preliminary action transfers the assembly work from the clinical setting to the manufacturing setting, allowing therapists to simply install pre-assembled units rather than assembling components during patient setup.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus configured for carrying out CRRT on patients weighing up to 20 kg incorporates a control unit having a blood pump and a plurality of fluid pumps, and a controller configured for operating the blood pump and fluid pumps, and an interactive operator control system including an operator interface screen connected to the controller, the controller including software configured to operate the apparatus in response to operator input selections. The interactive operator control system includes inputs for setting patient weight, blood pump flow rate and fluid pump flow rates and is configured to calculate and display maximum allowable fluid gain or loss based on patient weight settings between 0-20 kg and trigger warnings and alarms for selected or calculated levels of patient fluid gam or loss and stop operation of the pumps or termination of CRRT in response to patient fluid gain or loss exceeding the maximum.