Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
11:12
Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves
Published on: October 17, 2013
Hemodialysis using a valveless pulsatile blood pump.
Kyungsoo Lee1, Cho Hae Mun, Sa Ram Lee
1Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|March 22, 2008
Summary
A novel pulsatile blood pump designed for hemodialysis significantly reduces blood trauma compared to conventional roller pumps. This valveless design ensures safety and effective waste removal in renal failure models.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Technology
- Renal Replacement Therapy
Background:
- Pulsatile blood flow offers benefits in extracorporeal life support.
- Limited research exists on pulsatile pumps for hemodialysis despite positive outcomes.
- Existing pulsatile devices often use valves, raising clinical concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a novel valveless pulsatile blood pump for hemodialysis.
- To assess the pump's performance in terms of blood trauma and dialysis efficacy.
- To compare the new pump against a conventional roller pump.
Main Methods:
- In-vitro hemolysis tests using bovine blood and normalized index of hemolysis.
- Experimental hemodialysis in a canine renal failure model.
- Evaluation of blood trauma, flow rates, and molecular removal.
Main Results:
- The devised pulsatile pump showed significantly lower normalized index of hemolysis (45 +/- 21 mg/100 L) than the roller pump (103 +/- 10 mg/100 L).
- No technical issues occurred during canine hemodialysis.
- Satisfactory blood/dialysate flow rates and urea/creatinine reduction (61.8%/57.4%) were achieved.
Conclusions:
- The novel valveless pulsatile pump demonstrates reduced blood trauma and effective hemodialysis performance.
- The absence of valves enhances safety for clinical applications.
- This pump represents a promising advancement for hemodialysis technology.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hemodialysis I: Introduction
Hemodialysis (HD) is a medical treatment that artificially removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively. In this process, blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane, allowing for the selective removal of waste while preserving necessary components like blood cells and proteins. Hemodialysis is typically performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney...
01:24Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
01:26Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in critically...
01:30Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or those experiencing drug overdose often require extracorporeal methods to eliminate accumulated drugs and metabolites. Hemoperfusion, hemofiltration, and dialysis are the primary techniques to rapidly remove harmful substances without disrupting the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. For those with compromised renal function, dosage adjustments of concurrent medications may be necessary during extracorporeal drug removal.Dialysis is a process...
01:30Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, also known as CRRT, is a procedural treatment for acute kidney injury (AKI) that gradually removes uremic toxins and fluids while maintaining acid-base balance and stabilizing electrolytes. It is particularly useful for hemodynamically unstable patients. Unlike intermittent hemodialysis, which is faster, CRRT provides a gentler approach over 24 hours, closely mimicking the function of natural kidneys. However, CRRT is not ideal for patients with...
01:25Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management
The nursing management of a patient undergoing hemodialysis includes several critical steps, starting with a thorough assessment before the procedure.Before the Hemodialysis ProcedureFirst, record the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature—to establish a baseline. This baseline is essential for detecting conditions such as hypotension that could impact the patient's response to dialysis. Document the patient's pre-dialysis weight, as this measurement...