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Dialyzer

In simple words , a dialyzer is  an artificial kidney for human being. It is a gift of technology which can work to reduce toxics from human. It’s a filter-like product filled with synthetic membrane which can remove waste products from blood .

The structure of the dialyzer is made of plastic tube of one to two inches diameter closed on both ends and field with semipermeable  membranes . There are two holes on top and bottom of it. During the process of hemodialysis it comes to touch with blood and dialysate simultaneously. Dialysate is a specific composition of electrolyte and chemical which is used by the hemodialysis machine to pull waste products from blood. When this process is running the waste product from the blood enters to the dialysate via the tine membrane holes. This membrane also prevents blood cell and protein molecules from entering to dialysate. 

 There are mainly two types: 

1. High Flux Dialyzer

2. Low Flux Dialyzer

What is High Flux Dialyzer ?

A high flux dialyzer is specially designed to facilitate more efficient removal of waste products and toxins during dialysis. Unlike conventional dialyzers, high flux have larger membrane pore sizes, allowing for enhanced permeability. This increased permeability enables better clearance of substances, such as middle molecular weight solutes, which are typically more challenging to remove with conventional dialysis.

How Does a High Flux Work?

High flux dialyzers operate based on the principles of diffusion and convection. During the dialysis procedure, blood and dialysate flow on either side of a semipermeable membrane. As the blood passes through the dialyzer, waste products, toxins, and excess fluids diffuse across the membrane into the dialysate. 

A high flux dialyzer is designed with a more permeable membrane compared to a low flux one. This increased permeability allows  the removal of larger molecules, such as certain toxins and inflammatory substances, during the dialysis process. High flux dialyzers are particularly useful for patients with conditions that result in the accumulation of larger molecules in their bloodstream.

Examples:

 Fresenius F60s is the best high flux dialyzer which has more ultrafiltration as compared to others. Its ultrafiltration coefficient is 40 (ml/h x mmHg). Other best high flux are F40S, F50S, F70S, F80S, HDF100S

  What is a Low Flux Dialyzer?

Low Flux dialyzers are another type which are used in the process of dialysis. It is designed with a membrane that has smaller pore size as compared to high flux one. The smaller pore size restricts the movement of larger solutes and which limits the clearance of large molecules from blood during dialysis. 

How Does a Low Flux Work?   

In a low flux dialyzer the blood moves through it in contact with dialysate. When blood passes through it , the waste products and excess fluids diffuse across the membrane into the dialysate. But due to smaller pore sizes the large molecules from blood cannot enter into the dialysate. Commonly low flux are used in most of the cases of kidney failure .

Example :

 Fresenius F6HPS is the best example of low flux dialyzer which has an ultrafiltration coefficient is 13 (ml/h x mmHg). Also the other low flux are F4HPS, F5HPS, F7HPS, F8HPS, F10Hps and all the Fx class dialyzer of Fresenius such as Fx5,Fx8 and Fx10 are the examples of Low Flux .

Price of Dialyzer

The price of dialyzer is very from hospital to hospital and state to state in India. Normally dialyzer price are from Rs 350.00 to Rs8000.00, in different segments , different usability and different quality. Dora, Sunflo , Polmed dialyzer are cheaper in price whether Nippro and Fresenius Dialyzer are costly depending on build quality and performance.

Which is the best dialyzer ?

Depending upon the build quality and product all the Fresenius Dialyzer are the best. Among the high segments the Fresenius F6HPS and Fresenius Fx8 dialyzer are the best dialyzer and these product gives you best output.

Can you reuse Dialyzer ?

Dialyzer can be reuse. By doing this you can reuse one multiple use dialyzer again and again . During this process after dialysis, it is placed into the dialysis reuse machine if the dialyzer contain no blood clot inside. The machine than clean the dialyzer with the help of RO water and Fresenius Puristerial or Puristerial like product. After rinsing the dialyzer is ready for reuse. Always keep in mind that the patient reuse their own dialyzer only. Dialyzer never be shared between other patients.

How many times a dialyzer can be used?

Normally a multiple use dialyzer can be reuse up to three times. After that the tiny holes began to block inside the dialyzer and so the result of dialysis began to drop . So for best result it is recommended to reuse up to three times.