title: Estimation of dialysis quality and adequacy with a new optical technique
reg no: ETF5871
project type: Estonian Science Foundation research grant
subject: 2.13. Biomedical Engineering
3.3. Clinical Medicine
status: accepted
institution: TTU Faculty of Science
head of project: Ivo Fridolin
duration: 01.01.2004 - 31.12.2006
description: The aim of the project is to develop a new technique to estimate dialysis adequacy and quality. The method is based on UV-absorption phenomena enabling on-line monitoring of solutes in the spent dialysate. The technique offers a possibility to follow hemodialysis session continuously, monitor deviations in dialysis efficiency, and estimate the quality and adequacy of the dialysis.
The major advantages of the new technique are:
provides continuous, on-line measurements of spent dialysate (while the other methods often measure intermittently);
no need for repeated blood samples;
no disposables or chemicals (compared with other existing methods);
allows continuous measurements directly on the dialysate line thus providing the simplest plug/unplug possibility without disturbing the ongoing session in some way;
may immediately identify and alert to any deviations in dialysis treatment due to flow changes both in the dialysate and blood side and in the dialyser performance
with the UV-method, it may be possible to measure the elimination of other toxic or non-toxic substances that are retained in the uremic patients and with potential clinical significance.

Hopefully, the UV-method adds a new technique and methodology to the wide discussion about the quality and adequacy of the dialysis, and about the uremic toxicity and the kidney functionality.¿¿

project group
no name institution position  
1.Ivo FridolinTTU Faculty of Sciencevanemteadur 
2.Merike LumanSA Põhja-Eesti Regionaalhaiglavanemarst 
3.Elen SuurkülaTallinna Tehnikaülikoolkvaliteedijuht