Dialysis patients are so used to treatment routines that include going to the clinic and having them weighed, temperature and blood pressure taken, a needle inserted (if the patient does not have access to a catheter) and a tube placed on the hand. Put it in the catapult and sit in the chair until it's time to go home. While you wait, are you wondering how the catapult works? 

Also, read about the stages of Diabetic kidney disease.

What does my Dialysis do?

The dialyzer mixes and adjusts the dialysate. Dialysis fluid is a fluid that helps remove unwanted waste from the blood. It also helps the body get electrolytes and minerals at proper levels. This device monitors blood flow even when outside the body. Sometimes you hear an alarm clock. This will tell your device that you need to check something.

What are those plastic jugs sitting in front of my machine??

The plastic bottle contains the liquid used to mix the dialysate. The machine mixes a dialysate consisting of an acidified solution, bicarbonate, and distilled water. The acidified solution contains electrolytes and minerals. You could call it 'acid'. Another solution is baking soda or heavy carbohydrates similar to baking soda. Both are mixed with distilled water in the machine. When you're on dialysis, you're on dialysis and the blood passes through the dialyzer (but never in contact). During treatment, fresh dialysate from the device enters the dialyzer. Impurities are filtered from the blood in the dialysate. The dialysate containing unwanted waste and excess electrolyte leaves the dialyzer and flows down the drain.

How does blood get in and out of my body?

A blood tube carries blood through the dialyzer. The blood tube is connected to a blood pump. You can see the blood pump spinning in a circle. The pumping action of the blood pump pushes the blood back into the body through the dialyzer.

What is the syringe attached to my device?

A stain is found when the blood passes through the blood tube. To avoid this, the nurse offers a drug called 'heparin'. The doctor commands the size of all the past treatments. An equal amount of heparin is placed into a syringe and then into a 'heparin pump' machine. Heparin pumps are programmed to deliver the correct amount of heparin into the bloodstream during treatment. Heparin prevents blood clotting.

How does the device make me safe?

The problem that can occur during dialysis is the air hose. To prevent this, the blood hose has two built-in air traps. One trap is in front of the catapult and the other is behind the catapult. This is all the air that falls into the system and approaches. When the air decreases, the internal vehicle stops the blood sensor pump and makes an alarm sound. 

Why are there so many alarms?

This device continuously monitors the pressure that the blood exerts on the vessels and the dialyzer. It also monitors blood flow, temperature, and proper dialysate mixing. If any of these are out of range, the device notifies us by sounding an alarm, flashing lights, and stopping blood or dialysate flow. It also tells you if your blood pressure is too low or too high. Yes, it goes off when it's time to go home.

Read more about Warning signs of Kidney Problems