Dialyzer

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Dialyzer

Dialyzer (pronounced: /daɪˈalɪzər/) is a medical device used in hemodialysis to remove waste and excess substances from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.

Etymology

The term "dialyzer" is derived from the Greek words "dia", meaning through, and "lysis", meaning loosening or splitting. It refers to the process of dialysis, where waste products are removed from the blood through a semi-permeable membrane.

Function

The dialyzer works by allowing blood and a dialysis solution, known as dialysate, to flow through it. The two fluids are separated by a thin membrane. Waste products in the blood, due to their small size, pass through the membrane and into the dialysate, while the larger blood cells and proteins remain in the blood.

Types of Dialyzers

There are two main types of dialyzers: the hollow-fiber dialyzer and the flat-plate dialyzer. The hollow-fiber dialyzer is the most commonly used type. It consists of thousands of tiny tubes, or fibers, through which the blood flows. The flat-plate dialyzer consists of many parallel plates and is less commonly used.

Related Terms

  • Hemodialysis: The process of cleaning the blood of waste products when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
  • Dialysate: The solution used in dialysis to draw waste products out of the blood.
  • Hollow-fiber dialyzer: A type of dialyzer consisting of thousands of tiny tubes through which the blood flows.
  • Flat-plate dialyzer: A type of dialyzer consisting of many parallel plates.

External links

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