Reusable PD Cycler Disinfection With pH-Controlled Anti-Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated peritoneal dialysis systems generate significant disposable waste, requiring cumbersome setup procedures and increasing costs due to the use of disposable items, which can lead to errors and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The system converts fluid-carrying components into reusable parts that are disinfected after treatment, using a PD cycler with reusable fluid lines, valves, and a pump, and employs a control unit to manage disinfection with anti-scaling fluid to prevent precipitation, allowing for reduced waste and simplified setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable items are used in automated peritoneal dialysis systems, then reliability and ease of operation are improved, but loss of substance and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reusable fluid path system where the fluid path is disassembled into components, cleaned using a cleaning solution delivered through the same fluid path, and then reassembled for reuse. This eliminates the need to discard the entire fluid path after single use, recovering valuable components while maintaining sterility standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the fluid path into removable components that can be individually extracted and cleaned. The fluid path is designed as a disassemblable structure where the soft circuit and connectors can be taken out from the housing, cleaned separately, and reassembled, allowing selective recovery of components rather than discarding the entire system.
2Ease of operation
If disposable items are used in automated peritoneal dialysis systems, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables recovery and reuse of the fluid path components through a simplified cleaning process. The automated cleaning system delivers cleaning solution through the existing fluid path components, cleans them in place, and prepares them for reuse, reducing the complexity of setup procedures while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid path components are designed to be self-cleaning through the automated cleaning system. The cleaning solution is delivered through the fluid path itself, and the system automatically performs the cleaning operation without requiring manual disassembly or complex cleaning procedures, making the reuse process as easy as the disposable process.
3Reliability
If heat disinfection is used on reusable fluid paths, then reliability is improved, but precipitation occurs due to pH changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a cleaning solution to the fluid path components before heat disinfection to prevent precipitation. The cleaning solution adjusts the pH or chemical composition of the fluid path environment in advance, creating conditions that prevent calcium and phosphate precipitation during the subsequent heat disinfection process at elevated temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the fluid path environment by introducing a cleaning solution with specific pH properties before heat disinfection. This parameter change prevents the formation of precipitates during heating by maintaining the fluid path chemistry in a state that is resistant to precipitation, allowing effective heat disinfection without the harmful side effect of scaling.
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
The solution reduces treatment costs, minimizes user interaction, and prevents precipitation during disinfection, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operation of the PD system.
Implementation Method 1
a PD fluid heater to heat the PD fluid to a treatment temperature
Implementation Method 2
anti-scaling fluid to prevent precipitation, allowing for reduced waste and simplified setup
Data Source
AI summary
A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a plurality of PD fluid components, a reusable PD fluid line selectively fluidly communicating with the PD fluid components, a source of PD fluid selectively fluidly communicating with the reusable PD fluid line, a source of anti-scaling fluid selectively fluidly communicating with the reusable PD fluid line, and a control unit configured to (i) operate the plurality of PD fluid components during treatment using PD fluid from the source heated to a treatment temperature, and (ii) circulate unused PD fluid heated to a disinfection temperature in combination with anti-scaling fluid from the source of anti-scaling fluid after treatment for disinfecting the plurality of PD fluid components and the reusable PD fluid line, the anti-scaling fluid provided in an amount configured to lower the pH of the unused PD fluid to a level below which precipitates are formed and above which the pH causes disinfection.