Haemodialysis machines has three major functions; to regular blood flow out and back to the body, preparing an electrolyte bath called “dialysate” and to regulate removal of access of bodily fluid.
The blood out side the body is know as “extra corporeal” blood and this blood is channeled through a set of plastic tube to the dialyser and another set of tube returning it to the body. The flow of blood is regulated by a pump of the machine.
The dialysate or electrolyte bath is a mixture of three components; an acid component, a bicarbonate component and highly filtered water. These two concentrated solutions (acid and bicarbonate components) of the dialysate contain certain electrolytes such as sodium, calcium and potassium. The highly filtered water is filtered via a filtration system usually by reverse osmosis method. These will ensure a proper balanced composition of the patient’s blood to prevent complications during treatment while metabolic waste products are readily removed.
The dialysate is channeled to the “dialyser” and filled the dialyser, soaking the hollow-fibers filled with blood. Micro exchanges occur; metabolic waste products and excess water will move from the blood to the dialysate and removed while electrolytes imbalance in the blood is corrected.
The haemodialysis machines can create a negative pressure in the dialysate circuit in order to regulate the amount of water to be removed from the circulatory system via the dialyser. It is pertinent that this function is accurate or else good treatment outcome may not be achieved and complications sets in.
There are many other safety functions built into these machines to ensure patient safety during treatment. These include “blood leak” detector, “air bubble” detector, temperature regulator and others. More innovative gadgets and functions are added with the introduction of new haemodialysis machines.
While seeking new and latest innovations, basic principles of treatment and care must not be overlooked. Each patient is different from the next, their needs are different…..
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