Inclusive Design for Hemodialysis Machine - Sara Ghirardo, Laima Krecko, Samavia Mohammad by Laima Krecko - STUDENT

Device Overview - Portable Hemodialyzer

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 09:51:54 UTC

Our project is a portable hemodialysis machine designed to be lightweight and backpack-sized, allowing patients with kidney failure to receive dialysis anywhere. It includes a compact filtration system with reusable dialysate technology, powered by a rechargeable battery powered by solar panels for easy mobility. The device connects to a mobile app that monitors key information such as battery level, treatment progress, water quality, and filter status, while also sending alerts and data to healthcare providers for remote supervision. This design aims to make dialysis more accessible, convenient, and inclusive, especially for patients in remote or low-resource areas.

Trends & Challenges

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 10:21:55 UTC

Inclusivity

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 10:35:53 UTC

Societal Responsibility

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 11:49:23 UTC

The device should improve access to dialysis for people in remote, low-income, or underserved areas, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits. It promotes health equity, independence, and better quality of life for patients. It’s our responsibility to ensure it’s affordable, safe, and easy to use for all.

Ethical Responsibility

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 11:50:00 UTC

We must ensure patient safety, data privacy, and informed use. The device should meet medical standards, give accurate readings, and alert users to any risks.

Envirnomental Responsibility

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 11:50:35 UTC

Dialysis traditionally uses large amounts of water, power, and disposable materials. The portable system should minimize waste, recycle or regenerate dialysate and use energy-efficient components. End-of-life recycling plans and reduced single-use plastics support sustainable healthcare.

Empathy Map

s00256343 — 2025-10-07 17:30:12 UTC

Problem Statement

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:03:12 UTC

Access to dialysis remains a major challenge for people with kidney failure, especially in remote or low-income communities. Current machines are large, expensive, and require specialized facilities, limiting independence and equitable access to care. There is a need for a portable, affordable dialysis solution that enables all patients, regardless of location, income, or ability, to manage their treatment safely and live more independently.

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:05:49 UTC

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:06:30 UTC

Ideation Phase

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:10:37 UTC

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:22:12 UTC

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:22:28 UTC

Selected Design

s00256343 — 2025-10-21 11:28:15 UTC

This design is inclusive because it addresses key barriers to healthcare access faced by diverse users worldwide. Its portable, wheelchair-attachable, and trolley-compatible form ensures ease of mobility for people with varying physical abilities. The recyclable water system makes it sustainable and practical for regions with limited water resources, while the solar panel recharge option enables use in areas without reliable electricity and on the go. Paired with an intuitive app for monitoring and remote medical support, the device supports patients from different socio-economic and geographic backgrounds to manage their dialysis safely and independently.

Materials for Hemodialysis Machine

s00256343 — 2025-11-25 20:28:57 UTC

Outer shell:

-Recycled PET fabric (rPET)

-Non-toxic, hypoallergenic

-Durable, water-resistant

-Made from recycled plastic bottles, environmentally responsible

Frame & internal structure:

-Aluminium alloy or recycled aluminium

-Lightweight

-Strong

-Fully recyclable

-Culturally neutral + widely available globally

Medical tubing compartment + handles:

-Medical-grade silicone

-Hypoallergenic, biocompatible

-Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-free

-Heat resistant and flexible

Solar panels:

-Thin-film, flexible photovoltaic sheets (CIGS or organic PV)

-More sustainable than silicon

-Lower energy footprint to manufacture

-Can integrate smoothly into device casing (inclusive aesthetics)

Medical components (filter, connections, etc.):

-BPA-free, PVC-free polymers such as polyurethane

-Avoids phthalates

-Safer for chronic-use patients

Why these materials are inclusive & sustainable:

-Non-toxic + hypoallergenic - safe for users with chronic illnesses, kidney patients, or immune vulnerabilities

-Environmentally responsible - recycled, recyclable, reduced PFAS usage

-Culturally appropriate - no animal products

-Affordable + available globally - rPET, aluminium, silicone all easy to source in low-resource settings

Manufacturing Methods

s00256343 — 2025-11-25 20:45:20 UTC

1. Injection moulding (for casing edges, tubing slot, control panel frame)

-Highly scalable

-Low per-unit cost

-Consistent quality

-Works well for medical-grade polymers

2. CNC machining (for aluminium frame/base wheels)

-Precision manufacturing

-Durable components

-Good for high-accuracy alignment of tubing channels and internal supports

3. 3D printing (for early prototype components)

-Supports localised, low-cost fabrication

-Easily adaptable for users needing different sizes or ergonomic customizations

-Low waste - environmentally responsible

4. Assembly performed regionally

-Lower shipping footprint

-Creates local economic inclusion

-Supports maintenance in low-resource contexts

Why these methods meet the EDI requirements:

-Scalable + cost-effective - accessible for both wealthy and low-resource areas

-Localized production - culturally inclusive, reduces global shipping emissions

-Adaptable for assistive tech - mobility-friendly handles, tubing compartments, ergonomics

Inclusive Finishing Tehniques

s00256343 — 2025-11-25 20:50:35 UTC

-Soft-touch matte coating (non-reflective finish)

-High-contrast visibility

-Reduces glare for users with visual impairments

-Provides secure grip for users with reduced dexterity

-Tactile markers on buttons and tubing compartment

-Helps low-vision users

-Ensures intuitive usage

-Symbol-based and multilingual labelling

-Makes device globally accessible

-Useful in low-literacy contexts

-Medical-safe surface sealants

-Non-toxic

-Durable

-Easy to wipe clean (important for infection control)

MDR Testing Requirements

s00256343 — 2025-12-02 14:16:42 UTC

Labelling Information

s00256343 — 2025-12-02 14:20:50 UTC