Application of sensors in dialysis machines

　　In order to provide patients with fluids at the same temperature as body temperature and ensure patient safety, temperature management solutions and pressure sensors are used in dialysis machines. Purchasing heater components and pressure sensors from a single accessory manufacturer, rather than looking for a variety of temperature technologies and sensors from multiple suppliers, can not only streamline the manufacturing process and supply chain, but also simplify assembly and reduce design time, allowing developers to have more time and energy to study other systems. Platform sensing can provide complete components that meet regulatory requirements, allowing the system to meet the corresponding quality standards.

　　The heater assembly heats the blood and dialysate to body temperature before it is reintroduced into the patient. During this process, the heater controller precisely controls the temperature of the dialysate. The circuit board mounted pressure sensor measures the flow rate of fluids leaving and entering the patient, obtaining dialysate and venous pressure readings without impeding fluid flow.

　　Image caption: Honeywell's TruStability HSC/SSC - 26PC liquid media compatible sensors allow customers to use one of the sensor's ports for exposure to condensing environments or non-corrosive liquid media such as deionized water, eliminating the complexity and expense of adding protection to the sensor from these media.

　　In order to realize the combination of temperature sensor and temperature regulating device, the design of heater assembly needs to consider a variety of heating technologies and materials suitable for different dialysis equipment design requirements. The design of these dialysis machines often requires different types of heating technologies due to the requirements of different sizes and different temperature ranges of heater assemblies.

　　Heater assemblies should be available in a variety of sizes, wattages, mounting options, and temperature monitoring and temperature control capabilities. This is because different heater assembly configurations (flat, transparent composite, and high temperature) and manufacturing materials (silicon, polyimide film, polyester indium tin oxide, and other dielectric materials) can create very different application options within the same dialysis machine application.

　　Accurately measuring dialysate and venous pressure is critical to patient safety during dialysis treatment. Pressure sensors need to accurately detect fluid and blood flow pressure to ensure that pressure is maintained within the applicable range and to avoid overpressure or underpressure. Because overpressure or underpressure can cause blood vessel rupture or bubbles in the tubing, respectively.

　　The best way to achieve greater accuracy and faster response time is to place the sensing element as close as possible to the fluid flow. This requires the use of pressure sensors that are compatible with the liquid media to reduce the complexity and cost associated with sensor protection design.

　　In addition, pressure sensors should offer a variety of mounting options to suit different applications. For example, by providing cable assembly options, the sensor platform can be installed in remote locations or in products with limited internal space. This allows designers to place the sensor exactly where it can be accurately measured.