Use of Solenoid Valves In Dialysis Machines

These valves deliver the accurate concentration and pressure of the gas to the patients. 

A solenoid valve provides the desired oxygen flow rate with great speed and precision for providing effective care to patients.

Solenoid valves are controlled by the central processing units (CPU). They contain an electromagnetic coil that is surrounded by an iron core. Its speciality is that whenever it gets charged, it changes the position of the valve to ON or OFF instantly to control the flow rate.

Solenoid proportional valves come in various types and shapes and power profiles and are used in a number of medical equipment, machines and systems to ensure accuracy.

What is Dialysis?

Dialysis is the name of a treatment that is done for patients who are facing kidney problems or whose kidneys are failing. Basically, there are two types of dialysis that are:

• Hemodialysis.
• Peritoneal Dialysis.

Hemodialysis:

In this type of dialysis, a machine is used to remove the blood from the body and filters it with the help of a dialyzer. This dialyzer is an artificial kidney that cleans the blood and returns this blood back to the body. It takes 3 to 5 hours and can be done at a hospital or at a dialysis center. This process is done three times a week. During this process, the main priority is the reliability and the safety of the patient which is achieved with the help of a solenoid proportional valve. One can perform this type of dialysis at home. But it will require to perform it four to seven times per week. 

What happens during Hemodialysis?

When you are performing hemodialysis, the dialysis machine:

• Extract the blood with a needle from the arm.
• Regulate the blood to the dialyzer filter where waste is extracted into a dialysis solution.
• Returns the blood to the body with a different needle from the arm.
• Shows the blood pressure so that you can easily adjust it to define a set value on which the blood will flow in or out of the body. 

Peritoneal Dialysis:

In peritoneal dialysis, small blood vessels filter the blood by using a dialysis solution. This is a cleaning liquid that contains water, salt and other add-ons. 

Here we have listed the two ways to perform this treatment:

Automated peritoneal dialysis: This is done with the help of a machine that is called a cycler. 

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): This process can only be done manually. 

What happens during Peritoneal Dialysis?

Performing peritoneal dialysis requires you to:

• Grab the catheter and connect it with one branch of the y-shaped tube that is connected to the dialysis solution-containing bag. When you finish connecting it, the solution flows from the tube and catheter to reach the peritoneal cavity.
• Keep the tube connected until the bag gets empty. It will approximately take ten minutes. When the bags gets empty disconnect the tube.
• Now cap off the Catheter.
• Let the patient do the usual activities of the day while having the dialysis solution inside the perineal cavity where it will absorb the waste and extra fluids. This process usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. 
• Remove the cap of the catheter and utilize the other branch of the y-shaped tube to drain the fluid into an empty bag.
• Repeat this process up to four times a day to perform the peritoneal dialysis accurately.

The Function of a Solenoid Valve:

Control Blood Flow:

The machines that are used in dialysis are very complex and their functionality depends upon the reliability of all the components. Because it’s more complex than switching ON and Off the flow. The manufacturers need to use the components in the dialysis machines that are capable of controlling the flow of blood. In this regard, solenoid proportional valves are very helpful. Their ability to provide strong control over the flow rate makes them a suitable component for dialysis machines. In dialysis machines, these valves provide a controlled flow path for the travel of the blood when required between the system and the patient.

Solenoid controlled valve can be easily positioned and used to replace the disposable tube harness after performing the treatment of an individual. Contamination can be very harmful to the dialysis patient. That’s why the valve should be capable to withstand the harsh chemicals that are often used to wash and clean various areas of the systems. 

It’s necessary for solenoid proportional valves to create a little noise and little heat during the operation to keep the patient safe and comfortable. Feedback signals of the valves made it possible to perform the whole process with ease and accuracy. 

Deliver Accuracy:

Solenoid valves are widely used at various places to provide accuracy and strong control over the flow rate of the fluid. They are used in ventilators, incubators, blood-changing machines, blood pressure monitoring instruments etc. In a dialysis machine, two valves work collaboratively to manage different levels of blood while performing the dialysis. These valves squeeze the blood flow as per the need. This makes the whole dialysis process painless for the patients. 

The most efficient and reliable solution for controlling the fluid flow rate is the solenoid proportional valve. In past, controlling the fluid flow and managing the pressure of the systems was a hectic process. But today, the revolution of technology has made it a piece of cake. The operator can easily set the value of the flow rate and the pressure. We can further expect to see more development and improvements in the functionality of these valves. 

Conclusion:

Solenoid proportional valves are integral components of many residential and industrial and medical applications. By providing strong control over the flow of the fluid or gas, they are getting more popular day by day. Managing the flow rate and the pressure inside a system was never as simple and easy as it is in this present time. Solenoid operated valves come in various types, shapes and sizes depending on the specific application, the purpose of use, and the required flow rate, pressure and temperature.