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A portable dialysis machine provides a steady manual blood supply to the patient. It provides the necessary pressure to facilitate blood movement and decreases the nephron's burden by providing renal-like conditions. However, due to its portability, unlike regular machines, it can also be used in areas without power or water supply. It is classified into different types.
This kind of dialysis machine is commonly used for patients with renal failure. In such machines, the patients' blood is filtered through cleansing solutions to get rid of the waste substances. The situation is very different regarding the working mechanism of internal hemodialysis machines. These parts, called dialyzers, are made from semi-permeable membranes that allow toxic substances to filter through but not blood cells or proteins. The filtered blood is then returned to the patient's body. The prime feature of this machine is its efficiency; it can achieve up to 93%-96% clearance in a short time, and the patients need to undergo the procedure three times a week for five hours each time. Due to their efficiency, they are ideal for most patients with end-stage renal disease. Thus, they can also be used in the home when patients are trained to use them. Therefore, training is required to maintain the hemodialysis machine.
A peritoneal dialysis machine works differently. It makes use of the peritoneal membrane lining of the abdomen as a natural filter. In this type, cleansing solution is sent into the abdominal cavity via a catheter. The solution detoxifies blood by absorbing waste substances and excess water through the peritoneal membrane. After the absorption is complete, the solution is drained, taking the waste elements with it. This type of machine is considered less demanding, with the patients not required to visit the hospital often; thus, it can be done at home or while traveling, making travel and normal life activities easy for patients. It, however, is less effective than hemodialysis and also requires frequent manual exchanges of solutions. It is convenient for those who have just discovered renal failure.
The CRRT machine is used in patients who are critically ill and unable to tolerate the rapid fluid shifts associated with standard dialysis. The CRRT machine provides gentle, continuous dialysis over 24 hours, allowing for gradual fluid and waste removal. This type of dialysis machine is often found in intensive care units (ICUs) where patients are in unstable health situations.
CRRT machines can be more complex and often require specialized nursing staff to manage, but they are essential for providing dialysis in emergency and critical care settings. Its gentle approach to waste removal and fluid balance makes it a lifesaver for patients in critical condition.
Some of the common features of these machines are the power supply, dialyzer compatibility, digital displays, alarms, water treatment systems, etc. The machine can be anything from a simple manual one to a complex electronic one due to the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis machines.
The specifications on the machine may affect its functioning, and knowing them will help in the choice and maintenance of the machine and running of the dialysis smoothly. Some of the key specifications for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis machines include:
Portable dialysis machines are used in various situations to meet the needs of patients with kidney disease. With advancements in technology, these machines have become more compact, efficient, and user-friendly, allowing patients to maintain their quality of life while receiving the necessary medical care. The machines can be used in the following situations:
In home healthcare, patients use portable dialysis machines for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. This arrangement helps patients avoid frequent hospital visits and receive treatments more conveniently. The machines help patients who need to keep up with their work or travel schedules or who live in areas without easy access to healthcare facilities. This arrangement does allow the patients some mobility and control over their health schedules.
For people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), having a dialysis machine that works when traveling is a huge convenience. These units are small and light, making them easy to transport in ambulances, aircraft, or disaster zones. People who are traveling and have not been able to identify a good place to undergo dialysis or patients caught in a natural disaster use these machines. During any electrical or mechanical breakdown or when the normal water supply is cut, these machines act as a backup.
Portable dialysis machines also fulfill the need for areas that have limited access to healthcare services. These systems operate on batteries and don't need complicated infrastructure, so they are ideal for rural areas or regions with little healthcare access. Remote healthcare workers use these machines to treat people with kidney diseases who otherwise don't have any treatment.
Dialysis machines are also found in normal and critical care patients in hospitals. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) machines, designed to provide gentle, continuous dialysis to patients in critical condition, are often used in intensive care units. These machines are used when the patient's condition does not support conventional dialysis due to the instability of the patient's health.
They are used in health camps and disaster relief operations to provide dialysis to affected persons. Because these are portable, they can easily go to the sites where the assistance is needed the most.
Portable dialysis machines are helpful in various scenarios, as stated above, but the machines have to be chosen regarding the patient's needs, environment, and treatment modality, such as.
It is important to note that one has to consider what kind of dialysis is needed to be performed while choosing a portable machine. Patients requiring hemodialysis need a machine capable of supporting higher blood flow rates. On the other hand, peritoneal dialysis machines are more straightforward and can be easily positioned in homes or carried when traveling.
This aspect becomes important for patients who continually travel or have limited storage spaces, such as RVs or boats. It is important to go for a small and light machine.
Again, one must consider if he will use the machine in normal conditions or in emergencies, such as during natural disasters or in rural areas where electricity is not available. While choosing such machines, one has to look for battery power and energy-efficient ones so that they can work for many hours on a single charge.
If one is looking for a machine that performs hemodialysis, they must ensure that the machine has a proper water treatment system because such dialysis requires the use of purified water. However, peritoneal dialysis machines do not have this requirement because dialysis is performed internally.
Operators are advised to pick machines with simple interfaces and instructions for operating them, especially in situations where many will operate them. The complexity of the machine and its operation should be considered in stress environments like war or disaster.
Selecting machines with fewer maintenance requirements and easy-to-find spare parts is advisable, especially in rural areas. One also needs to understand the availability of filters, membranes, and other consumables for the smooth running of the machines. Portable dialysis devices that come equipped with built-in alerts about impending maintenance can be very resourceful and help one avoid unexpected breakdowns during critical times.
A1. The maintenance of the efficiency of the machines depends on the selection of the right machines for the right patients in the suitable environment and their proper use and care. They can be as effective as regular ones with proper training, adequate power, water supply, and maintaining machine hygiene. They can particularly be very useful in rural and disaster-effected areas when fixed systems are not available.
A2. Portable dialysis machines are very costly due to the latest technological advancements and the convenience they provide in various situations. They require less maintenance and operational cost than regular machines. The costs involved in moving patients to static dialysis facilities and maintaining the infrastructure for water treatment and power supply are the same as or sometimes higher than the operational costs of these machines.
A3. They are used in rural areas with little access to healthcare, during emergencies like natural disasters or wars, in health camps, and in the military. They offer a critical service by enabling dialysis where hospitals cannot provide it, particularly in mobile conditions.
A4. The peritoneal dialysis machine does not require any special water conditions, but the hemodialysis machine requires purified water. Users must treat the water properly before using the machine to ensure safety and effectiveness because unpurified water will cause infections and complications.
A5. There is a need to provide adequate technical assistance to people, especially while using these machines in rural areas, to ensure proper operation and troubleshooting. Similarly, there must be after-sales service arrangements to replace broken parts and provide maintenance.