Ultrafiltration Device Venting in Dialysis Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extracorporeal blood treatment devices face challenges in venting the secondary side of the dialysis fluid system without contaminating fresh dialysis fluid, often requiring additional components that increase maintenance costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The ultrafiltration device is designed to operate in both ultrafiltration and deaeration modes, allowing it to withdraw used dialysis fluid from the air separation container to raise the liquid level, thereby displacing air and venting the system without additional components, ensuring separation between the primary and secondary sides of the dialysis fluid system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an additional connecting line is used to raise the fluid level in the air separator on the secondary side, then the venting function is improved, but the risk of contamination of fresh dialysis fluid with used dialysis fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the venting function from the traditional air separator design by using the ultrafiltration device to remove air from the dialysis fluid system. The ultrafiltration device is positioned to draw air out of the dialysis fluid path, eliminating the need for separate air separator connecting lines that could cause contamination between fresh and used dialysis fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrafiltration device serves as an intermediary component that performs both ultrafiltration and air removal functions. By using the ultrafiltration device as a mediator to remove air from the dialysis fluid system, the invention avoids direct connection between primary and secondary sides through additional lines, thus preventing contamination while maintaining venting capability.
2Ease of operation
If an additional pump is used to supply dialysis fluid to the air separator's reservoir, then the venting function is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies multi-functionality by enabling the ultrafiltration device to perform both ultrafiltration and air removal functions. The ultrafiltration device is configured to operate in a mode where it removes air from the dialysis fluid system, eliminating the need for separate pumps or additional components dedicated to air separator fluid supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the air removal function with the ultrafiltration function by configuring the ultrafiltration device to handle both tasks. The ultrafiltration device is positioned and configured to draw air out of the dialysis fluid path while maintaining its primary ultrafiltration function, thus combining multiple functions into a single component.
3Ease of operation
If the fluid level in the air separator container drops due to air accumulation, then the venting function is improved, but the fluid balance accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback control by using sensors to detect the fluid level in the air separator container and the volume of air removed. The control unit receives signals from these sensors and adjusts the ultrafiltration device operation accordingly, ensuring that the fluid level is maintained at the correct height while accurately measuring the volume of air removed for proper fluid balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual or mechanical fluid level adjustment with an automated system using sensors and control units. The control unit electronically monitors and adjusts the ultrafiltration device operation to maintain proper fluid levels, substituting mechanical adjustment methods with electronic control for improved precision and accuracy.
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 simplifies the device structure, reduces maintenance, prevents contamination, and allows for precise volume-controlled air replacement, ensuring accurate balancing during blood treatment by using the ultrafiltration device to manage fluid levels in the air separation containers.
Implementation Method 1
a dialyzer which is divided into a blood chamber and a dialysis fluid chamber by a semipermeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
an ultrafiltration unit that removes a predetermined volume of dialysis fluid from the dialysis system
Implementation Method 3
The separated air collects in the container above the fluid level
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment, having a device 1 for supply of fresh dialysis liquid, an outlet 2 for used dialysis liquid, a balance device 4 for balancing fresh dialysis liquid and used dialysis liquid, an ultrafiltration device 15 and a dialyzer 3, the latter being divided by a semipermeable membrane 5 into a blood chamber 6 and a dialysis liquid chamber 7. The invention further relates to a method for operating such an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment. The apparatus according to the invention is based on using the ultrafiltration device 15 of the blood treatment apparatus to raise the liquid level in the air separator 12 on the secondary side of the dialysis liquid system I. In the apparatus according to the invention, the ultrafiltration device 15 is designed in such a way that the ultrafiltration device can be operated not only in an ultrafiltration mode but also in a vent mode. In the ultrafiltration mode, the ultrafiltration device 15 is operated in such a way that used dialysis liquid is withdrawn from the receptacle 12A of the first air separator 12, while in the vent mode the ultrafiltration device 15 is operated in the reverse sense, such that used dialysis liquid is fed to the receptacle 12A of the first air separator 12, as a result of which the liquid level 12D in the receptacle of the first air separator rises.