Plasma Electrolyte Management for Real-Time RRT Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing renal replacement therapies (RRT) lack clinical decision support for managing electrolyte concentrations, requiring clinicians to rely on standardized guidelines and frequent blood tests to avoid adverse patient conditions, while current models are not readily available and do not provide real-time electrolyte management.

Innovation Solution

A plasma electrolyte management system using kinetic physiological models calculates current and predicts future electrolyte concentrations based on real-time input/output data, allowing for automated adjustment of RRT parameters to achieve target equilibrium and prevent rapid electrolyte changes, reducing the need for frequent blood tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If frequent blood tests are performed to monitor electrolyte concentrations, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and increased device complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte concentration monitoring accuracyVSAvoidtime for frequent blood sampling and testing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical blood sampling and laboratory testing with an optical sensor system that directly measures electrolyte concentrations in the dialysate flow. This substitution eliminates the need for frequent blood draws while providing continuous real-time monitoring data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dialysate as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure patient electrolyte concentrations. By analyzing electrolyte levels in the dialysate fluid that has exchanged with patient blood through the dialyzer membrane, the system obtains patient electrolyte data without direct blood sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If standardized guidelines are used for electrolyte management, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and real-time management capability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of treatment protocolVSAvoidreal-time electrolyte concentration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where real-time electrolyte concentration measurements from the dialysate are continuously fed back to the control unit. The system automatically adjusts dialysis parameters based on this feedback to maintain target electrolyte levels, providing both simplicity and real-time precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of dialysis treatment parameters based on real-time electrolyte measurements. The control unit automatically modifies pump speeds, flow rates, and other parameters without requiring constant clinician intervention, combining automated precision with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If RRT parameters are adjusted rapidly to correct severe electrolyte imbalances, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of electrolyte correctionVSAvoidadverse patient conditions from rapid correction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of RRT parameters based on real-time electrolyte concentration measurements. The system continuously monitors electrolyte levels and automatically modifies treatment intensity, allowing rapid correction when safe and slowing down when approaching target levels, thus optimizing both speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by predicting when electrolyte levels will reach dangerous thresholds and preemptively adjusting RRT parameters to prevent adverse conditions. The real-time monitoring allows the system to counteract potential harmful effects before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20250295842A1Plasma electrolyte management system, methods, and apparatus for continuous renal replacement therapies (RRT)

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 GAMBRO LUNDIA AB

AI summary

Plasma electrolyte management system, methods, and apparatus for continuous renal replacement therapies (RRT) are disclosed. The example system, methods, and apparatus use one or more kinetic physiological models to calculate a current electrolyte rate of change in plasma sodium or other electrolytes based on current data for patient weight, input/output of water, sodium, and potassium (e.g., input/output of known infusions, dialysis, urine, blood loss, etc.) This input/output data is acquired through known data, such as infusion data, dialysis data, urine data, and blood loss data, which are typically stored to a patient's electronic medical record (“EMR”) as the data is generated/received. The use of available point-in-time input/output data to generate accurate electrolyte concentration estimations means that fewer (or none) blood tests are needed, thereby providing accurate electrolyte determinations without frequent burdensome blood analyses.