Tips and Guidelines to Choose the Right Hemodialysis Machine

02/17/2022
Hemodialysis Machine

While browsing online, you have probably noticed that there are many brands and models of hemodialysis machines to pick from. And you are probably wondering how you are going to narrow down the options and choose the one that best fits your practice and workflow. We understand that it can be a challenge. That is why we have rounded up all the important information surrounding hemodialysis machines so that you know what to look for—types, parts, features, use, safety, warranty, price—when buying your hemodialysis machine.

But before we dive into the whats and hows of hemodialysis machines, let’s first start with the basics.

What is a dialysis machine?

When your kidneys are damaged or you are experiencing kidney failure, your kidneys are not able to remove the excess wastes, toxins, and fluids from your blood. Therefore, you will need a machine that acts like a kidney to remove these excess products for you. This machine is called a dialysis machine. It filters your blood through an artificial kidney called a dialyzer. Dialysis machines are also known as HD machines, dialyzers, and dialysis equipment.

How does a dialysis machine work?

A dialysis machine acts as a kidney. Below are the steps of getting a hemodialysis treatment:

  • Two tubes get connected to the machine by your hemodialysis access.
  • Your blood runs through one of the tubes and into the dialysis machine.
  • A monitor and a pump keep the flow at an appropriate rate.
  • Your blood gets filtered through a dialyzer.
  • In the dialyzer, a solution called a dialysate removes waste products from your blood.
  • Your blood goes through a monitor to make sure the pressure and flow are appropriate and to ensure there is no air.
  • Once it passes through the monitor, your filtered blood goes back into your body through the second tube.

Types of dialysis machines

There are two different types of dialysis machines that we will compare: hemodialysis machines and peritoneal dialysis machines:

  • Hemodialysis Machines

The most common type of dialysis is hemodialysis. Hemodialysis machines use a hemodialyzer that functions as a kidney to help remove excess waste products from your blood and then return the clean blood to your body.

To ensure that the blood flows properly to the dialyzer, a doctor will surgically create access to your blood vessels. The access point will be one of the three:

  • Arteriovenous (AV) fistula: This type of access is the most preferred and is used for long-term dialysis treatments. It connects an artery and a vein.
  • AV graft: This type of access involves a looped tube and is used for long-term dialysis treatments.
  • Vascular access catheter: This type of access involves inserting a catheter into the large vein in your neck and is used for short-term dialysis treatments.

How long do hemodialysis treatments last?

Most hemodialysis treatments are administered at a hospital or a dialysis treatment center. The length of treatment depends on your body size, the number of waste products in your body, and your current overall health status. These treatments typically last three to five hours and are administered three times per week; however, they can also be administered in less time per session but more than three days a week.

2. Peritoneal dialysis machines

Before receiving peritoneal dialysis, a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter must be surgically implanted into your abdomen.2 The PD catheter helps filter your blood through an abdominal membrane called the peritoneum.2 Dialysate then goes into the peritoneum to absorb and draw out the excess wastes from your blood and then is drained from your abdomen.

How long do peritoneal dialysis treatments last?

Peritoneal dialysis treatments are given four to six times a day with each treatment generally lasting a few hours.

What are the different types of peritoneal dialysis?

The most common types of peritoneal dialysis include:

  • Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): During this type of peritoneal dialysis, your abdomen gets filled and drained several times a day. However, a machine is not required, and it must be administered while you are awake.
  • Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD): As the name infers, this type of peritoneal dialysis cycles fluid in and out of your abdomen via a machine. This process is usually done while you are asleep.
  • Intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD): Although this type of peritoneal dialysis uses the same machine as CCPD, it takes longer but can be done at a hospital or at home.

Components of a hemodialysis machine and its functions?

A hemodialysis machine consists of two tubes, a pressure monitor and pump, a dialyzer, and a dialysate solution.1

The two tubes, as we mentioned before, are connected to the machine by your hemodialysis access, allowing your blood to pass through the machine to be filtered and then get returned to your body. The pressure monitor and pump ensure that your blood flow rate is maintained appropriately.The dialyzer cleans your blood via the dialysate solution.

What should you look for when buying a hemodialysis machine?

Choosing the right dialysis machine for your practice requires the consideration of several factors.

Types: First, you’ll want to ask yourself if your practice will be performing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis machines receive your blood and transport it through a dialyzer where it gets filtered and returned to your body.2 In contrast, peritoneal dialysis is completed within your body using the peritoneum as a natural filter to remove excess wastes that get absorbed by the dialysate solution and then drained from your abdomen.2

For this article, We will be talking about (more details about )hemodialysis machines.

Features: Next, you’ll want to consider your machine’s features. Most dialysis machines come with a blood pump, dialysate delivery system, safety monitors, alarms, various options, and system disinfection3:

  • The blood pump transports your blood through the dialyzer and back into your body.
  • The dialysate delivery system prepares the final dialysate solution by blending concentrate and water. This system also controls dialysate pressure and monitors the dialysate for temperature, composition, and blood leaks. In addition, it also provides patient-protective methods and a disinfection system.
  • Safety monitors are used to monitor the blood circuit and include arterial pressure monitors, venous pressure monitors, venous air traps and air detectors, and monitors for the dialysis solution circuit.
  • Hemodialysis machines also contain several alarms that go off when there is a problem. There are alarms that go off when they detect high positive dialysate pressure, low negative dialysate pressure, air, high temperature, low temperature, high conductivity, low conductivity, and blood leaks.
  • Hemodialysis machines may also offer many options, including a heparin pump, bicarbonate, variable sodium, controlled ultrafiltration, programmable ultrafiltration, dialysate urea sensor, and a single blood pathway.
  • A dialysis machine’s disinfection procedure should be completed regularly to minimize the risk of contamination by bacteria and viruses.

User friendly: Before purchasing a dialysis machine, you’ll want to consider who will be using this machine to ensure that it is user-friendly and fits the workflow in your practice.

Safety: You’ll want to consider safety before purchasing a hemodialysis machine. All dialysis machines should come with monitors and alarms that detect arterial and venous pressures, high positive dialysate pressure, low negative dialysate pressure, air, high temperature and low temperature, high conductivity, and low conductivity, and leaks.3,4 These alarms usually make sounds when they go off, but you may want to consider visual alarms such as light for patients who cannot hear well or are deaf.

Display monitor: Display monitors show detailed information, including pump speed, blood pressure, and dialysate temperature.1

Warranty: When purchasing a hemodialysis machine, it’s important that you review your warranty for coverage on equipment, repairs, and labor.

Price: If you’re looking to purchase a hemodialysis machine, whether it is Fresenius Medical Care, NxStage, Baxter, B. Braun, Melsungen, Nipro Cooperation, Nikkiso, Asahi Kasei, JMS, or Toray Medical, you’ll likely spend at least a couple thousand dollars.

But with Medwish.com, you get a wholesale price advantage.

Where can you buy hemodialysis machines in bulk at wholesale pricing?

Jiangsu Medwish Network Technology Co., Ltd.

You can buy hemodialysis machines in bulk at wholesale price from Jiangsu Medwish Network Technology Co., Ltd., a professional Chinese supplier located in Jiangsu, China. They have been established in 2018 and are committed to the research, development, production, sales, and export of medical equipment to buyers all around the world, including North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Eastern Asia, South Asia, Africa, Oceana, and domestic.

With Medwish.com, you can complete all your shopping online—sourcing, ordering, paying, shipping, receiving and confirming. You will also receive free global logistic insurance, professional product inspection services, and you will obtain access to complete medical equipment categories that will fit your needs and preferences for your practice. We’re all about connecting global buyers with quality products.

To learn more about the products Jiangsu Medwish Network Technology Co., Ltd. offers or to send an inquiry, please visit: https://www.medwish.com

Comments

No posts found

Write a review