Dialüüsiaparaat

Dialüüsiaparaat, also known as a dialysis machine, is a medical device used to perform extracorporeal blood purification for patients with kidney failure. It essentially acts as an artificial kidney, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the patient's own kidneys are no longer able to do so effectively. The process, called dialysis, is vital for individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI).

The core components of a dialüüsiaparaat include a blood pump, which circulates the patient's blood, and a dialyzer, also known as an artificial kidney. The dialyzer contains a semipermeable membrane that separates the blood from a dialysis fluid, or dialysate. Waste products such as urea and creatinine, along with excess electrolytes and water, pass from the blood across the membrane into the dialysate due to diffusion and convection. The dialysate is then drained away, carrying the removed waste.

Modern dialüüsiaparaadid are sophisticated and often automated, offering precise control over blood flow rates, dialysate composition and temperature, and ultrafiltration (the removal of excess fluid). They are equipped with various sensors to monitor the process and ensure patient safety, detecting issues like air bubbles in the blood lines or clotting. The operation of a dialüüsiaparaat requires trained medical personnel, typically nurses or technicians, who manage the treatment and monitor the patient throughout the dialysis session. The frequency and duration of dialysis treatments vary depending on the individual patient's condition.