Hemodialysis machine

Dialysis, also called "renal replacement therapy," is a medical procedure for people whose kidneys are working very poorly or not at all. Our kidneys are essentially the filters of our body, removing waste from our blood and turning it into urine. Although dialysis can’t perfectly do everything that normal kidneys can, some people can live for decades while on dialysis. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is separated into in-center hemodialysis, which occurs at a dialysis center, and home hemodialysis, which you can do at home. Peritoneal dialysis always occurs at home. Hemodialysis requires a machine known as an artificial kidney machine in order to filter your blood, whereas peritoneal dialysis uses an area in your abdomen to filter blood. Which type you use depends on your individual health requirements and restrictions. The kidney normally works hard to regulate particles like potassium, adjusting the amount released into the urine as needed, as not having the right amount can lead to health problems. Dialysis removes excess fluid from the body and some of these particles, as well as other waste products that would normally go out through your urine. Blood from a vessel—usually from your forearm—travels through the dialysis device. Inside the device, it flows through a series of small tubes. The tubes are surrounded by a type of fluid, called dialysis fluid, which doesn’t have many particles inside it. These tubes are ma...

By Joe S., DaVita Bio-medical Technician Dialysis patients are all too familiar with the routine of their treatments: Go to the clinic, get weighed, have their temperature and blood pressure taken, get stuck with needles (unless the patient has a catheter access), have tubes connected from their access to the dialyzer and then sit in the chair until it is time to go home. While waiting, have you ever wondered how a dialysis machine works? As “the machine man,” I would like to take this opportunity to explain how your dialysis machine works by answering some of the most frequently asked questions. What does my dialysis machine do? The dialysis machine mixes and monitors the dialysate. Dialysate is the fluid that helps remove the unwanted waste products from your blood. It also helps get your electrolytes and minerals to their proper levels in your body. The machine also monitors the flow of your blood while it is outside of your body. You may hear an alarm go off from time to time. This is how the machine lets us know that something needs to be checked. What are those plastic jugs sitting in front of my machine? The plastic jugs hold the liquids used to mix the dialysate. The machine mixes the dialysate, which is made up of an acidified solution, bicarbonate and purified water. The acidified solution contains electrolytes and minerals. You may hear it referred to as “acid.” The other solution is bicarbonate or bicarb, which is like baking soda. Both are mixed inside the mac...

When you are told you have kidney failure and need treatment to stay alive, it can be a difficult time in your life. If your kidney diagnosis is new, you may feel overwhelmed, confused and angry. But there are some important things you can do to help yourself. Learn all you can about your different treatment options and take an active role in decisions about your care. Hemodialysis is a treatment that replaces the work of your own kidneys to clear wastes and extra fluid from your blood. This is done using a special filter called a dialyzer or artificial kidney. Your blood travels through plastic tubing to the dialyzer, where it is cleaned and then returned to you. At the beginning of each treatment, two needles are placed into your access. These needles are connected to the plastic tubing that carries your blood to the dialyzer. Only a small amount of blood is out of your body at any one time. The dialysis machine pumps your blood through the dialysis system and controls the treatment time, temperature, fluid removal and pressure. This basic process is the same for home hemodialysis, except that you and a care partner are trained to do your treatment at home. You can do hemodialysis at a dialysis center where a nurse or technician performs the tasks required during treatment. In-center hemodialysis is usually done three times a week for about three to four hours or longer each session. In-center treatments are done at a pre-scheduled time. You can also do hemodialysis at h...