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Equipment for Dialysis

Dialysis equipment is used to treat kidney failure. It is used for those who suffer from acute kidney failure, where there is temporary loss of kidney function, as well as for those who have permanently lost kidney function. The equipment works by removing excess fluid and waste from the blood using filters. There are two types of dialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). Both types of dialysis can be done in a hospital or, increasingly, in the home. Before undertaking home dialysis it is important to understand the components of the dialysis machine.

  1. Pressure Monitors

    • There are two pressure monitors in dialysis machinery, known as arterial and venous monitors. The arterial pressure monitor measures the pressure between the blood pump and the point the blood accesses the body. A negative pressure is expected. The monitor's reading is converted into an electrical signal and in built alarms sound if the pressure falls outside the expected range. This can occur if the patient becomes disconnected from the equipment, the blood tubing becomes separated from the body or if there is a block in the blood circuit. Venous pressure is vascular pressure to the veins or atria of the heart. Normally this pressure is positive but, if the pressure is outside the expected range, the venous pressure monitor activates alarms, triggers the clamping of the blood line and stops the blood pump. Low venous pressure is caused by connections being disrupted whereas high venous pressure results from low blood flow upstream from the blood pump.

    Pumps

    • Two pumps are required for the dialysis process, a blood pump and a heparin pump. The blood pump measures the blood flow rate and pumps the appropriate amount of blood for the diameter of the blood tubing at a rate of 200 to 600 mL/min, according to an article in the journal Hemodialysis International. The blood pump also has two in built rollers that keep blood moving along the tubing. The heparin pump is a syringe or a roller pump that is used to infuse heparin into the blood circuit.

    Blood Tubing

    • Blood tubing is made out of nontoxic material which is treated with silicone in order to reduce blood clotting. The tubing is expensive and so it is normally only used with dual-use dialysis systems.

    Air Leak Detectors

    • Air leak detectors are normally ultrasound based. They are a very important feature of dialysis equipment as they stops air embolus (air bubbles) occurring, a problem in 1 in 2000 treatments, according to an article in Hemodialysis International. Air leaks originate from the arterial needle or tubing.

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