Unidirectional Peristaltic Pump for Dialysis Fluid Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peritoneal dialysis systems face challenges in achieving precise and efficient liquid distribution due to limitations in existing pump technologies, which can lead to inaccuracies in fluid exchange, potentially overfilling the peritoneal cavity and affecting ultra-filtration.
Innovation Solution
A peritoneal dialysis system incorporating a unidirectional peristaltic pump with a rotatable design, integrated with a liquid distribution system featuring two distinct cavities and a flexible membrane with valve elements, allowing for precise control and vibration attenuation, ensuring consistent flow speed during both fill and drain phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional bidirectional peristaltic pump is used, then the device can perform both filling and draining operations, but the flow speed varies during operation leading to inaccuracies in fluid exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into two separate unidirectional pumps: one dedicated to filling operations and another dedicated to draining operations. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining consistent flow speed and direction, thereby eliminating the flow variability inherent in bidirectional pumps while preserving both filling and draining capabilities.
2Device complexity
If a bidirectional pump is used to perform both fill and drain phases, then device complexity is reduced, but the pump flow rate changes over time affecting precision
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into two independent unidirectional pumps operating in sequence. Although this increases the number of pump components, each pump maintains constant flow characteristics for its specific operation, thereby achieving superior fluid exchange precision. The segmentation allows for simpler individual pump designs with fewer moving parts per pump, potentially offsetting the increased component count.
3Productivity
If existing pump technologies are used, then the system can operate, but inaccuracies in fluid exchange may overfill the peritoneal cavity and affect ultra-filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates flow sensors that continuously monitor the actual flow rate of each unidirectional pump. This feedback is fed to a control unit that compares the measured flow against the target flow and dynamically adjusts pump operation parameters to maintain precision within +/−2% margin. This closed-loop control ensures accurate fluid exchange and prevents overfilling of the peritoneal cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating filling and draining into dedicated unidirectional pumps, each pump can be equipped with optimized flow control mechanisms and sensors specific to its function. This segmentation enables more reliable and precise flow measurement and control for each operation phase, improving overall fluid balance reliability.
4Measurement precision
If a unidirectional pump is used, then precision and life time are improved, but the system requires separate mechanisms for filling and draining
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit integrates the management of both unidirectional pumps, coordinating their operation sequences, monitoring their performance, and adjusting their parameters centrally. This centralized control merges the complexity of managing two pumps into a unified system, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the precision benefits of unidirectional operation.
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 achieves precise and efficient liquid exchange with improved accuracy and longer pump life, maintaining fluid balance within the required +/−2% margin, even as the pump flow rate changes over time, thereby enhancing the efficacy of peritoneal dialysis.
Implementation Method 1
A peritoneal dialysis system incorporating a unidirectional peristaltic pump with a rotatable design
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing fluid administration on a patient, the system including a flexible membrane forming a valve of a port having a valve seat, and an actuator having an actuator head, wherein the flexible membrane includes a membrane actuator clip configured to removably connect to the actuator head, the connection between the membrane actuator clip and the actuator head allowing the actuator to push the flexible membrane towards the valve seat to close the valve, and to pull the flexible membrane away from the valve seat to open the valve.