Semipermeable Membrane Catheter for Continuous Intra-corporeal Dialysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis methods are costly and inconvenient, often requiring hospital visits and causing side effects such as muscle cramps, hypotension, and fatigue, while also involving complex equipment and procedures that are not suitable for home use.
Innovation Solution
An artificial kidney system with a semipermeable membrane catheter that combines features of peritoneal and hemodialysis, allowing for continuous daily dialysis with minimal fluctuation, no need for peritonitis or abdominal muscle weakening, and no blood lines or fistula, using a supportive device that simplifies operation and monitoring, and is portable and wearable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hemodialysis is used, then dialysis treatment can be provided, but side effects such as muscle cramps, hypotension, dizziness, and fatigue occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using controlled pulsed blood flow and controlled pulsed dialysate flow through the semipermeable membrane catheter. This pulsing mechanism enhances mass transfer across the membrane while avoiding continuous high-flow rates that cause side effects, thereby resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and harmful side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a semipermeable membrane catheter as an intermediary device that enables dialysis to occur directly within the body (intra-corporeal) rather than requiring extracorporeal blood circulation. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for blood lines and fistulae, reducing trauma and side effects while maintaining dialysis effectiveness.
2Reliability
If conventional dialysis systems are used, then dialysis treatment is available, but the system complexity and cost are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from conventional dialysis systems, including blood lines, fistulae, grafts, water treatment plants with reverse osmosis modules, filters, and softeners. By removing these complex and costly elements while retaining the essential dialysis function through the semipermeable membrane catheter, the system achieves simplicity and cost-effectiveness without compromising treatment availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the patient's own body cavities (such as the peritoneal cavity or blood cavity) as the dialysis chamber, eliminating the need for external dialysis machines and complex infrastructure. The semipermeable membrane catheter performs dialysis in situ, reducing system complexity and enabling home-based treatment.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If peritoneal dialysis is used, then continuous therapy is possible, but peritonitis and abdominal muscle weakening occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a semipermeable membrane catheter as an intermediary that enables continuous dialysis therapy without direct contact between dialysate and the peritoneal cavity. By performing hemodialysis or hemofiltration through the catheter within the blood cavity or vein, the system achieves continuous therapy while avoiding peritonitis and abdominal muscle weakening associated with traditional peritoneal dialysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing the semipermeable membrane catheter specifically within the blood cavity or vein, concentrating the dialysis action locally at the membrane-blood interface. This localized approach enables continuous therapy without affecting the peritoneal cavity, thereby avoiding peritonitis and abdominal muscle weakening while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
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 solution reduces dialysis costs, minimizes side effects, and allows for safe and effective home treatment with reduced hospitalization, simplified operation, and fewer technical issues, while enhancing patient safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
enhance the mass transfer across the semipermeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
a dialysate solution may be sent to a blood cavity
Implementation Method 3
warm-up a fresh dialysate bag on a warmer unit
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial kidney and its supportive device comprising a catheter having an internal semipermeable membrane tube to act as an artificial kidney. Said catheter comprising a proximal portion having a semipermeable membrane tube, a blood/infusion lumen, a dialysate lumen and side holes, while a distal portion having a dual septa port assembly. Said supportive device comprising a device house with its cover that covers its internal cavity that includes sorbent bags with different sizes and arrangement, a screen, buttons, set knobs, two contactless conductivity cells, bidirectional rotary pumps, rotary valves, pressure sensors, a slot for memory card, a temperature sensor, scales, an IV pole and a blood leak detector.A method comprising: inserting the catheter having an internal semipermeable membrane tube that acts as artificial kidney into a suitable vein or artery, then using the supportive device to supporting, facilitating, and controlling the operation of the artificial kidney and to managing the dialysate inflow and outflow to and from the dialysate lumen within the catheter and also to managing the blood inflow and outflow to and from the infusate/blood lumen within the catheter to be on opposite direction across the semipermeable membrane of the artificial kidney.