[Design and application of a pressure control device for the continuous renal replacement therapy integrated...

Patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) often need concurrent continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). At present, there are various connection methods between ECMO and CRRT circuits, among which in-series integration is the most common. However, ECMO blood flow and catheter type, pressure changes at the pre-pump, post-pump pre-oxygenator, and post-oxygenator segments frequently result in circuit pressures that exceed the alarm threshold of the device. Excessive negative or positive pressures may compromise blood withdrawal and return within the CRRT circuit, leading to frequent system alarms, interruptions in therapy, filter occlusion, and an increased risk of thrombus formation. To address this issue, the critical care nursing team of Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, developed a novel pressure-regulating clamp for CRRT vascular access in ECMO patient, which has been granted a National Utility Model Patent of China (patent number: ZL 2021 2 1496610.7). The device comprises opposing left and right clamp arms joined at the top by a flexible plastic bridge, with dual internal compression surfaces designed to fit CRRT tubing of various calibers. A locking mechanism and serrated strip at the base enable precise adjustment of the compression distance, thereby modulating the tubing's cross-sectional area. This configuration allows real-time regulation of blood flow and stabilization of pressures at blood withdrawal and return sites within the CRRT circuit. By reducing pressure-related alarms and extending filter life, the device may enhance the safety and efficiency of CRRT delivery during ECMO. It is user-friendly, cost-effective, and well-suited for broad clinical implementation, with the potential to alleviate the overall treatment burden on patients and their families.