Peritoneal Dialysis Manifold With Peristaltic Pump for Sealing Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) systems face issues with sealing failures in pneumatic cassette systems, leading to delayed treatment start times and acoustic noise, and require significant patient effort and time for manual dialysis procedures.

Innovation Solution

A peristaltic pump and manifold assembly with a rigid plastic manifold, pressure and capacitive sensing mechanisms, and a control unit to manage air and fluid flow, ensuring seamless operation and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If pneumatic cassette systems are used for automated peritoneal dialysis, then automation is improved, but sealing failures occur leading to treatment delays and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautomationVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pneumatic cassette system from the automated peritoneal dialysis machine and replaces it with a peristaltic pump system. This extraction eliminates the sealing interface between the cassette and machine housing, thereby removing the source of sealing failures while maintaining automation through the peristaltic pump's rotor-stator mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system with a peristaltic pump system that uses a rotor and stator to create peristaltic motion. This substitution eliminates the need for pneumatic seals and gaskets, resolving the sealing reliability issue while preserving automated fluid management capabilities.

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

2Device complexity

If manual dialysis procedures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but patient time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpatient time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated peritoneal dialysis machine performs fluid exchange, air removal, and treatment monitoring without requiring continuous patient intervention. The system autonomously manages the dialysis process, significantly reducing patient time and effort while maintaining controlled device complexity through integrated automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If pneumatic sealing systems are used, then automated fluid management is achieved, but acoustic noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid management efficiencyVSAvoidacoustic noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic system with a peristaltic pump system that generates minimal acoustic noise. The peristaltic pumping action is inherently quieter than pneumatic systems, eliminating the harmful acoustic factor while maintaining efficient automated fluid management through the rotor-stator mechanism.

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

4Reliability

If sealing components are added to prevent failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for additional sealing components by removing the pneumatic cassette system entirely. The peristaltic pump system requires no seals or gaskets between moving parts, achieving inherent sealing reliability without adding device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 system enhances treatment efficiency by minimizing sealing issues, reducing noise, and automating fluid management, thereby improving patient experience and reducing operational delays.

Implementation Method 1

a peristaltic pump tube extending from the first chamber to the second chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Implementation Method 2

a pair of capacitive sensing plates positioned to be operable with the first chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

Waste, toxins and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream, through the capillaries in the peritoneal membrane, and into the dialysis fluid due to diffusion and osmosis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Implementation Method 4

An osmotic agent in the PD dialysis fluid provides the osmotic gradient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmotic gradient: Osmotic Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP4591898A1Peritoneal dialysis system including manifold assembly and peristaltic pump
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 BAXTER INT INC
  • EP4591898A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4591898A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4591898A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A peritoneal dialysis ("PD") system includes a cycler including an actuation surface having a peristaltic pump actuator; a manifold assembly including a rigid manifold having first and second chambers, the rigid manifold configured and arranged to be abutted against the actuation surface for operation, a peristaltic pump tube extending from the first chamber to the second chamber of the rigid manifold, a dialysis fluid container line extending from the first chamber, and a branch line extending between the dialysis fluid container line and the second chamber; and a control unit configured to cause the peristaltic pump actuator to actuate the peristaltic pump tube to pump dialysis fluid from the branch line into the second chamber and from the second chamber into the first chamber.