Hemodialysis Filter Rotor

UVM Reference Number: C834

Summary:

Heparin-free hemodialysis is usually obligatory in immediate post-operative states, bleeding diathesis and in critically ill patients. Conventionally, this is achieved through normal saline flushes and regional citrate anticoagulation, however, dialysis filters often clot requiring extra saline flushes and/or anticoagulation drugs, including, heparin. In addition, such maintenance prevents at home dialysis and disrupts the consistency of the treatment.

To solve these problems, UVM researchers developed a hemodialysis filter rotor, that rotates the hemodialysis filter, via a programmable rotation schedule, that prevents clotting of the extracorporeal system. Using a small motor, the to-and-fro, back-and-forth and alternating rotational movements of the horizontally placed hemodialysis filter was able to maintain fluidity of the blood in the hemodialysis filter capillaries, enabling consistent and successful completion of anticoagulation-free frequent home hemodialysis in our patient over the past 10 months at a frequency of 4 hemodialysis treatments a week.

Applications:

Anticoagulation free hemodialysis

Advantages:

Programable rotation reduces clotting disruption
Avoids medical complications of use anticoagulation drugs
Provides consistency of treatment
Allows for at home treatment
Reduces costs of treatment and care

Reference:

Timed Controlled Repeated Rotation of the CAR-170-C NXSTAGE Chronic Cartridge Hemodialysis Filter: A Novel Approach to Enabling Heparin-Free Frequent Daily Home Hemodialysis; Locke et al PMID 33718796