Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Proportioner With Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peritoneal dialysis systems face challenges in ensuring precise fluid balance and sterility due to potential overfilling or overpressurization of the peritoneal cavity, and errors in fluid prescriptions can detriment patient health.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a peritoneal dialysis fluid proportioner/cycler that prepares dialysis fluid at the point of care, using a disposable component with integrated sterilizing filters and separate concentrate containers, minimizing contamination risk and allowing independent scheduling of concentrate replacements, and includes a connection platform for testing filter integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dialysis fluid container is elevated to determine fill pressure by height difference, then the fill pressure is automatically controlled, but the system cannot prevent overpressure from fluid column height and introduces errors in fluid balance calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical height-based pressure control system with an electronic pump system that uses a pressure sensor and controller to actively regulate fill pressure. The pump can be controlled to deliver precise volumes at controlled rates, and the pressure sensor provides feedback to prevent overpressurization, eliminating the errors inherent in passive height-based systems.
2Reliability
If automated cyclers use pumps with pressure limits, then overpressure is prevented, but the system is not foolproof against overpressure from patient-cycler level differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure in the patient's peritoneal cavity during fluid infusion. The controller receives this pressure information and adjusts the pump operation in real-time to maintain pressure within safe limits, providing active compensation for level differences and ensuring foolproof overpressure prevention.
3Reliability
If peritoneal dialysis requires strict sterility, then infection risk is reduced, but the complexity of maintaining sterility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sterile components including a disposable fluid circuit with integrated sterilizing filters that are replaced regularly. The filter assembly can be independently replaced without replacing the entire system, providing maintainable sterility. The disposable nature of these components ensures sterility while allowing for periodic replacement to maintain the sterile barrier.
4Manufacturing precision
If prescriptions are based on patient criteria, then fluid balance is optimized, but errors in prescriptions detriment patient health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple feedback mechanisms including pressure sensors that monitor actual fluid delivery and volume sensors that track infused and drained volumes. The controller uses this feedback information to verify that the prescribed fluid balance is being achieved, providing alerts or corrections if deviations occur, thereby reducing the impact of prescription errors on patient health.
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 approach ensures precise fluid balance and enhanced sterility, reducing waste and operational errors, thereby improving patient safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a disposable component with integrated sterilizing filters
Implementation Method 2
Osmotic exchange with the patient's blood occurs across the peritoneal membrane, removing urea and other toxins and excess water from the blood
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, device, and systems for preparing peritoneal dialysis fluid and/or administering a peritoneal dialysis treatment are disclosed. In embodiments, peritoneal dialysis fluid is prepared at a point of use automatically using a daily sterile disposable fluid circuit and one or more long-term concentrate containers that are changed only after multiple days (e.g. weekly). The daily disposable may have concentrate containers that are initially empty and are filled from the long-term concentrate containers once per day at the beginning of a treatment.