New Horizon

Name: Idowu David Ayooluwa
Matric No: 2019/8221

Department: Biomedical Engineering
Project Title: Development of a miniaturized dialysis machine
Introducton
Dialysis machines are a critical solution for individuals facing kidney problems, especially when
their kidneys can no longer effectively filter waste and maintain the right balance of fluids and
electrolytes in the body. Hospital dialysis sessions using dialysis machines present challenges
both from the patient's perspective and the physiological viewpoint. When viewed from the
patient's standpoint, issues such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, travel restrictions, and treatment
duration pose as disadvantages of this therapy (William H. Fissell et al., 2019).
Research
There has been a growing interest in the advancement of portable hemodialysis machines, driven
by the goal of bringing the benefits of home hemodialysis to patients in a more patient-centric
manner (Borg et al., 2023). In one study, patients were willing to give up about two years of their
life expectancy if it meant they could travel more freely while doing their dialysis at home. This
shows just how much travel restrictions can affect people's lives when they're on dialysis. So,
these new wearable dialysis machines could really make a difference, giving patients more
flexibility and a better quality of life (Shuvo Roy et al., 2020). Therefore, a portable
hemodialysis device would not be bigger and would be easy for routine usage by patients with
ESRD, as well as promoting thorough treatment outside the hospital setting

Idea generation
The aim for miniaturization in dialysis technologies comes from the desire to enhance patient
outcomes by providing more portable, efficient, and potentially cost-effective alternatives to
conventional dialysis machines. Miniaturized systems aim to address the limitations of
traditional dialysis equipment, offering the promise of increased patient mobility, reduced
treatment time, and improved quality of life for individuals requiring regular renal replacement
therapy. These devices aim to enhance patient autonomy by simplifying the process of
performing dialysis at home, compared to older technologies, offering greater freedom and
flexibility. Furthermore, they empower patients to make more personalized dietary choices and
utilize dialysis to lead a more normal life by adjusting the treatment schedule to suit their
lifestyle.
Additionally, the preference for shorter treatment sessions by both patients and dialysis centers
hampers effective waste removal i.e., phosphorus, urea. Moreover, a low dialysis dosage is
linked to malnutrition, which is another significant factor affecting the health outcomes and
survival of individuals on hemodialysis.
Material Selection
The casing for the portable dialysis machine will be designed using SolidWorks software,
ensuring precision and functionality. The system's primary circuit, along with subcircuits for
individual stages and components, will be optimally designed using fritzing software. Electrical
and mechanical mathematical modeling of the device will be done in order to determine optimal
values for controlling specific components, such as the temperature sensor and pressure monitor,
during the integration of necessary sensors using Arduino board. The dialyzer will serve as the
bridge between the extracorporeal circuit which will consist mainly of the blood pump linked to
one of the inputs of the dialyzer with appropriate tubing and the dialysate circuit which will
consist of the dialysate chamber that holds the dialysate, which will pass through a tube to the
dialysate pump where the flow will be controlled further utilizing a flow rate meter and directed
to the second input of the dialyzer. The waste from the dialyzer will be channeled to a disposable
bag while the second output of the dialyzer will channel purified blood to the patient.
All the materials and components to be used are listed below:
1. Peristaltic Blood Pump: Moves blood through the dialysis machine by compressing
tubing, ensuring proper flow.
2. Dialysate Pump: This pump is same with the as the peristaltic pump.
3. Ultrafiltration Pump: Regulates removal of excess fluid from the blood during dialysis.
4. The Dialyzer: Filters blood, removing waste products and excess fluids.
5. Dialysate Tank: Stores dialysis solution and delivers it to the dialyzer.

6. Flowrate Sensor: Monitors flowrate and pressure in the dialysis circuit, ensuring safe
levels.
7. Temperature Sensor: It ensures proper maintenance of the correct temperature of
dialysate and blood.
8. Arduino Micro-controller Board: Controls the operation of the dialysis machine,
coordinating its functions.
Design Requirements
The dialysis machine is to meet certain requirements which include
a) A blood pump flow rate between 100-300bpm
b) A dialysate conductivity of 14ms/cm +_0.5
c) A dialysate temperature of about 37oC (human body temperature)
d) Use of a both a low and high flux dialyzer
e) Ability to stop pumping dialysate to the patient like removing blood from the patient
should in case of any abnormality in operation (alarm system)
f) Use of heparin solution manually or automatically to prevent coagulation of blood in the
blood tubing
g) Implement feedback mechanism to control and adjust parameters based on sensor
readings
h) Microcontroller Setup:
Use of an Arduino microcontroller (Arduino Uno Rev3) due to the project's requirements.
i) Sensor Integration:
In summary, portable dialysis machines will also improve the quality of life by allowing patients
to schedule treatments around their daily activities, giving them more flexibility and
independence.

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Name: Idowu David Ayooluwa

Matric No: 2019/8221

duration pose as disadvantages of this therapy (William H. Fissell et al., 2019).

ESRD, as well as promoting thorough treatment outside the hospital setting

outcomes by providing more portable, efficient, and potentially cost-effective alternatives to

conventional dialysis machines. Miniaturized systems aim to address the limitations of

survival of individuals on hemodialysis.

All the materials and components to be used are listed below:

tubing, ensuring proper flow.

5. Dialysate Tank: Stores dialysis solution and delivers it to the dialyzer.

7. Temperature Sensor: It ensures proper maintenance of the correct temperature of

dialysate and blood.

8. Arduino Micro-controller Board: Controls the operation of the dialysis machine,

coordinating its functions.

The dialysis machine is to meet certain requirements which include

a) A blood pump flow rate between 100-300bpm

b) A dialysate conductivity of 14ms/cm +_0.5

c) A dialysate temperature of about 37oC (human body temperature)

d) Use of a both a low and high flux dialyzer

should in case of any abnormality in operation (alarm system)

f) Use of heparin solution manually or automatically to prevent coagulation of blood in the

g) Implement feedback mechanism to control and adjust parameters based on sensor

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