PDMS Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction for Dialysis Leachable Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current analytical methods for detecting leachables in dialysis solutions, such as liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography, are time-consuming, costly, and lack sufficient sensitivity to meet the required limits of detection and quantification, especially for substances like phthalates and divinylbenzene, posing safety risks due to the use of hazardous solvents and limited absorption capacity of existing extraction techniques.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing PDMS coated stir bars for stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) with optimized conditioning, extraction, and desorption procedures, including increased temperature and time for sterilization, and the addition of salt to enhance extraction efficiency, allows for the detection of leachables at concentrations below 150 ng/L, ensuring safety and efficiency in validating dialysis solution batches and sterilization procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography is used for detecting leachables, then the detection capability is provided, but the analysis time is excessive and the cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from the complex liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography system and implements it through a simplified test strip system where leachables are extracted directly into the test strip matrix, eliminating the need for separate extraction solvents and instrumentation while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gas chromatography system with a chemical-based test strip system that uses colorimetric or fluorescent reactions to detect leachables, substituting complex mechanical instrumentation with simpler chemical detection methods that provide sufficient precision for the application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography is used for detecting leachables, then the detection capability is provided, but the cost is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable test strips that are inexpensive to manufacture and use, replacing expensive gas chromatography instrumentation and consumables with single-use test strips that provide adequate detection capability for leachable analysis in dialysis solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the need for expensive gas chromatography equipment by extracting the detection function into a standalone test strip system that uses affordable chemical reagents and visual or simple optical detection methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If conventional extraction methods are used, then the extraction process is simple, but the sensitivity is insufficient to meet the required limits of detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction process simplicityVSAvoidsensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific extraction phases or reactive materials at specific locations within the test strip structure, creating zones with enhanced extraction efficiency and sensitivity for detecting trace leachables while maintaining overall process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials in the test strip construction, combining multiple phases or materials with complementary properties that enhance extraction efficiency and detection sensitivity while keeping the overall device simple and easy to use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If packaging materials are used to protect dialysis solutions, then the shelf life and stability are improved, but pollutant migration occurs from the packaging into the solution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf life and stabilityVSAvoidpollutant migration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by conducting extraction tests during the validation process to predict and identify potential pollutant migration from packaging materials before the dialysis solution is actually packaged, allowing for packaging material selection or modification to minimize leachable migration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary extraction system that simulates the packaging-solution interface to study and characterize pollutant migration without requiring actual packaged product, enabling assessment and optimization of packaging compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method significantly improves sensitivity and reduces analysis time, enabling the detection of leachables at ng/L levels, ensuring compliance with safety thresholds and optimizing sterilization processes to minimize pollutant migration from packaging materials into dialysis solutions.

Implementation Method 1

A method utilizing PDMS coated stir bars for stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 2

including increased temperature and time for sterilization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the addition of salt to enhance extraction efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSalting out:

Data Source

PatentUS10088457B2Low pollutant dialysis solution
Publication Date: 2018.10.02 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

A method for the determination of pollutants and leachables in a dialysis solution by stir bar sorptive extraction involves conditioning a sorptive material-coated stir bar, stirring the dialysis solution with the conditioned stir bar, desorbing of pollutants and leachables from the coated stir bar, and analyzing the desorbed pollutants and leachables by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).