Modular Recharging System for Sorbent Cartridges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recharging sorbent materials in dialysis systems are costly, complex, and inefficient, requiring separate recycling processes for zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide, which involve laborious steps and generate chemical waste, and do not allow for immediate reuse within sorbent cartridges.

Innovation Solution

A modular recharging system that connects multiple rechargers to share infrastructure and resources, enabling simultaneous or separate recharging of zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide in sorbent cartridges using a single set of recharging solutions, with connectors allowing for easy connection and efficient fluid flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional separate recycling processes are used for zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide, then the sorbent materials can be recharged, but the process becomes laborious and generates chemical waste requiring additional disposal steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverechargeability of sorbent materialsVSAvoidcomplexity of recycling process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the recharging of zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide into a single integrated process. Multiple sorbent cartridges containing different sorbent materials are placed in series within a single recharger, allowing them to be recharged simultaneously through a common fluid pathway, thereby simplifying the overall recycling process and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The recharger system is designed with universal capability to handle multiple types of sorbent materials (zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and combinations) within a single device. The system uses a single set of recharging solutions that can effectively recharge all sorbent types, eliminating the need for separate recycling processes for each material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate recharging systems are used for different sorbent cartridges, then each cartridge can be recharged independently, but infrastructure requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to recharge different sorbent typesVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple recharging functions into a single recharger unit. Multiple sorbent cartridges can be connected in series through fluid pathways, allowing one recharger to serve multiple cartridges simultaneously. This shared infrastructure approach reduces the number of separate systems needed and lowers overall costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sorbent materials are recharged and repackaged for sale, then the materials can be reused, but the process requires additional time and cannot be immediately reused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability of sorbent materialsVSAvoidtime required for recharging and repackaging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the recharging process from the traditional repackaging workflow. By placing sorbent cartridges directly into the recharger system, the sorbent materials are recharged in situ without requiring removal, repackaging, or resale steps. This eliminates unnecessary time-consuming operations while maintaining reusability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables preliminary recharging actions to be performed on sorbent cartridges before they are needed for dialysis treatment. The cartridges can be recharged in advance within the recharger system, and the recharged sorbent materials are ready for immediate use in dialysis, eliminating the time delay associated with traditional repackaging processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system reduces costs and complexity by allowing for efficient recharging of multiple sorbent cartridges with a single set of solutions, facilitating immediate reuse and safe disposal of chemical waste, while minimizing infrastructure requirements.

Implementation Method 1

Zirconium phosphate is a sorbent material that removes ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions from dialysate and zirconium oxide is a sorbent material that removes anions such as phosphate or fluoride ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP3354298B1Ganged modular recharging system

Publication Date: 2023.07.05 MEDTRONIC INC

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AI summary

The invention relates to systems and methods for recharging sorbent materials and other rechargeable dialysis components. The systems and methods include rechargers, flow paths, and related components for connecting multiple rechargers together to sharing infrastructure and resources. The rechargeable dialysis components can include zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and other sorbent cartridge materials including any combination thereof or any other rechargeable component of a dialysis system. Additionally, a single-use cartridge or a multi-use cartridge can be used in the present invention.