Wearable Peritoneal Dialysis System with Ion-Selective Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialysis methods, such as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, are invasive, time-consuming, and require frequent medical supervision, limiting patient autonomy and quality of life, while also removing essential ions that are difficult to replace effectively.
Innovation Solution
A wearable peritoneal dialysis system that recirculates and regenerates dialysis solution using a replaceable cartridge with a urea removal layer that rejects calcium and magnesium ions, allowing continuous operation and reducing the need for large dialysate volumes, enabling patients to perform daily activities independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional peritoneal dialysis is used to remove uremic waste metabolites, then toxin removal is achieved, but large volumes of dialysate must be drained and replaced, making the process inconvenient and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by implementing a dialysis system with a recirculating dialysate loop. Instead of discarding and replacing large volumes of dialysate solution, the system recovers and recirculates the same dialysate continuously, significantly reducing the time and effort required for fluid management while maintaining effective toxin removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through a closed-loop recirculating dialysis system that operates continuously. The dialysate is constantly circulated through the patient's peritoneal cavity, ensuring continuous toxin removal without the interruptions required for draining and replacing fluids in conventional peritoneal dialysis
2Productivity
If ion exchange resins are used to remove urea from dialysate, then urea clearance is improved, but essential ions like calcium and magnesium are also removed and must be rapidly replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using ion-selective membranes with specific pore sizes and charge characteristics that allow selective passage of ions based on their properties. The membrane is designed to permit the passage of monovalent ions (sodium, chloride) while blocking divalent ions (calcium, magnesium), achieving localized selectivity in ion transport
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ion removal function into separate functional layers within the dialysis membrane structure. Different regions of the membrane have different ion selectivity characteristics, allowing selective removal of urea and monovalent ions while preserving essential divalent ions through spatial separation of filtration functions
3Productivity
If hemodialysis is used to replace kidney function, then toxin filtration is effective, but the procedure requires medical supervision and significantly decreases patient autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a portable peritoneal dialysis system that patients can operate independently at home. The system includes automated pumps, microprocessors for control, and user-friendly interfaces that enable patients to perform dialysis treatments without requiring constant medical supervision, thereby restoring autonomy while maintaining effective toxin removal
4Productivity
If peritoneal dialysis is performed semi-continuously, then kidney function is replaced, but the process is unwieldy and requires large volumes of solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatics and hydraulics by using an automated peristaltic pump system to circulate dialysate through the peritoneal cavity. The pump mechanism, controlled by a microprocessor, automatically manages fluid delivery and removal, eliminating the manual unwieldy process of solution management and reducing the complexity of operating the dialysis system
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 allows for continuous, safe, and effective removal of uremic waste metabolites without removing essential ions, improving patient well-being and quality of life by reducing the burden of dialysis treatments and eliminating the risk of blood loss associated with wearable hemodialysis systems.
Implementation Method 1
The peritoneal membrane serves as a natural dialyzer and toxic uremic waste metabolites and various ions diffuse from the patient's bloodstream across the membrane into the dialysis solution via an osmotic gradient
Implementation Method 2
The peritoneal membrane serves as a natural dialyzer and toxic uremic waste metabolites and various ions diffuse from the patient's bloodstream across the membrane into the dialysis solution via an osmotic gradient
Implementation Method 3
an aluminum oxide layer bound to urease which degrades the urea in the dialysate into ammonium carbonate
Implementation Method 4
an aluminum oxide layer bound to urease which degrades the urea in the dialysate into ammonium carbonate
Implementation Method 5
a hydrated zirconium oxide layer that exchanges phosphate and other anions (i.e., fluoride) for acetate
Implementation Method 6
an activated carbon layer that absorbs other organic compounds (i.e., creatinine and uric acid)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wearable peritoneal dialysis system and a replaceable cartridge in the wearable peritoneal dialysis system that regenerates the peritoneal dialysis solution without removing essential ions from the solution and, consequently, the patient. The invention also relates to methods of removing uremic waste metabolites from a patient using the wearable peritoneal dialysis system. A source of one or more enzymes that degrades uremic waste metabolites can be administered orally in conjunction with use of the wearable peritoneal dialysis system such that the load of toxins needing to be eliminated by the wearable peritoneal dialysis system is reduced. The wearable peritoneal dialysis system is meant to operate continuously or semi-continuously, its components small and light enough that it can be comfortably worn by a patient constantly, without burden.