Abstract
By using several cartridges in turn, which contain activated carbon immersed in dialysate or substitution fluid, considerable amount of urea and other toxins can be removed from recycled dialysate or ultrafiltrate. In in vitro dialysis experiments, using 6 cartridges, each containing 1kg of activated carbon immersed in 1.5L of dialysate, 58% of urea, 74% of uric acid, and 77% of creatinine were removed from 30L of body fluid, containing 2g/L of urea et al., in 6 his of dialysis. In similar in vitro tests on filtration, using 6 cartridges, each containing 500g of activated carbon immersed in 750ml of substitution fluid, 51% of urea, 73% of uric acid, and 70% of creatinine were removed from body fluid in 6 his of operation. In in vitro experiments on simultaneous filtration/dialysis, using 4 cartridges, each containing 1kg of activated carbon and 1.5L of dialysate, 52% of urea, 63% of uric acid, and 77% of creatinine were removed in 5 hrs of operation.
These systems require 3 to 6kg of activated carbon immersed in only several liters of dialysate or substitution fluid, conveniently packed in presterilized cartridges. Large amount of dialysate or substitution fluid and machines to prepare these fluids at the bed side are not required.
