hemodialüüsiseadmes

A hemodialysis machine, known in Estonian as a hemodialüüsiseade, is a medical device used in hemodialysis treatment. Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for individuals whose kidneys have failed to adequately filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The hemodialysis machine acts as an artificial kidney, performing these essential functions.

The core components of a hemodialysis machine include a dialyzer, pumps, and monitors. The dialyzer, often called an artificial kidney, is a specialized filter where the blood is cleaned. Blood is drawn from the patient's body, typically through an arteriovenous fistula or graft, and passed through the dialyzer. Inside the dialyzer, the patient's blood flows on one side of a semipermeable membrane, while a special cleaning fluid called dialysate flows on the other side. Waste products and excess fluid from the blood diffuse across the membrane into the dialysate, which is then discarded. Essential substances like electrolytes and red blood cells are retained in the blood.

The machine's pumps ensure a controlled flow of blood and dialysate, maintaining appropriate pressures and rates. Various sensors and monitors within the hemodialysis unit continuously track vital parameters such as blood pressure, blood flow rate, dialysate temperature, and conductivity. These monitors are crucial for patient safety, alerting healthcare professionals to any potential complications or deviations from the prescribed treatment. The dialysate itself is prepared by the machine, mixing purified water with concentrated electrolytes and buffers according to precise ratios. The hemodialysis machine allows for precise control over the entire process, ensuring effective and safe removal of toxins and fluid from the patient's blood.