How to Make Stable Solid Dialysis Powder with Less Odor
A specialized solid powder mixture used to create dialysis fluid that stays stable, smells less like vinegar, and keeps acetate levels within a precise, safe range.
Original patent title: “Solid dialysis A agent containing alkali metal diacetate, and two-part type low-acetate dialysis agent using same”
A specialized solid powder mixture used to create dialysis fluid that stays stable, smells less like vinegar, and keeps acetate levels within a precise, safe range. Granted to Tomita Pharmaceutical Co Ltd in 2020 with 17 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a solid powder (Dialysis Agent A) that, when mixed with water and a separate bicarbonate component, creates a medical fluid for kidney dialysis. The key innovation is using an alkali metal diacetate—a specific chemical compound formed by combining acetic acid and an acetate salt—to manage the acidity of the mixture. By keeping the moisture content extremely low (1.1% or less) and using this specific diacetate ratio, the powder remains stable during storage and produces significantly less of the sharp, vinegary smell typically associated with acetic acid in dialysis solutions. It is designed to result in a final fluid with a specific, controlled concentration of acetate ions between 2 and 6 mEq/L.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover liquid dialysis concentrates that are already dissolved in water.
- Does not cover dialysis agents that use different buffering systems not based on acetic acid and acetate salt.
- Does not cover formulations where the moisture content exceeds 1.1% by weight.
- Does not cover dialysis fluids that require acetate ion concentrations outside the 2 to 6 mEq/L range.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The inventors realized that by locking the acetic acid into a solid alkali metal diacetate structure, they could suppress its volatility (the smell) while maintaining the precise pH balance needed for the final dialysis fluid, all while keeping the powder dry enough to prevent premature chemical reactions.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Solid powder components for bicarbonate hemodialysis machines
Two-part dialysis fluid preparation kits
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Dialysis patients require large volumes of fluid, and shipping liquid concentrates is heavy and expensive. Solid powder agents are much more efficient to transport and store. However, traditional powders often degrade or release strong odors due to the volatile nature of acetic acid. This technology improves the manufacturing of these powders, making them more practical for clinical use while maintaining the strict chemical balance required for patient safety.
Filed
October 2, 2014
Granted
January 7, 2020
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Tomita Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. remains the primary entity associated with this specific formulation technology. The broader field of dialysis concentrate manufacturing is dominated by major medical device and pharmaceutical companies like Fresenius Medical Care and Baxter International, who continuously refine powder-based delivery systems.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing shift in the dialysis industry toward dry-powder concentrates, which reduce the logistical burden and carbon footprint of transporting heavy medical fluids. By solving the stability and odor issues, it enables more widespread adoption of solid-form dialysis agents in clinical settings.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a solid powder (Dialysis Agent A) that, when mixed with water and a separate bicarbonate component, creates a medical fluid for kidney dialysis. The key innovation is using an alkali metal diacetate—a specific chemical compound formed by combining acetic acid and an acetate salt—to manage the acidity of the mixture. By keeping the moisture content extremely low (1.1% or less) and using this specific diacetate ratio, the powder remains stable during storage and produces significantly less of the sharp, vinegary smell typically associated with acetic acid in dialysis solutions. It is designed to result in a final fluid with a specific, controlled concentration of acetate ions between 2 and 6 mEq/L.
The clever bit
The inventors realized that by locking the acetic acid into a solid alkali metal diacetate structure, they could suppress its volatility (the smell) while maintaining the precise pH balance needed for the final dialysis fluid, all while keeping the powder dry enough to prevent premature chemical reactions.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover liquid dialysis concentrates that are already dissolved in water.
- Does not cover dialysis agents that use different buffering systems not based on acetic acid and acetate salt.
- Does not cover formulations where the moisture content exceeds 1.1% by weight.
- Does not cover dialysis fluids that require acetate ion concentrations outside the 2 to 6 mEq/L range.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
11/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$73K – $234K
Midpoint $146K · 8.3 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
17 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kikuishi, J., Yoshimoto, Y., Noguchi, H., MYOSE, M., Aoyama, H., & Hashimoto, M. (2020). How to Make Stable Solid Dialysis Powder with Less Odor (U.S. Patent No. 10,525,078). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10525078/trikafta-elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Make Stable Solid Dialysis Powder with Less Odor cover?
A specialized solid powder mixture used to create dialysis fluid that stays stable, smells less like vinegar, and keeps acetate levels within a precise, safe range.
Who owns patent US 10525078?
Tomita Pharmaceutical Co Ltd owns this patent, granted in 2020.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 7, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Dialysis patients require large volumes of fluid, and shipping liquid concentrates is heavy and expensive. Solid powder agents are much more efficient to transport and store. However, traditional powders often degrade or release strong odors due to the volatile nature of acetic acid. This technology improves the manufacturing of these powders, making them more practical for clinical use while maintaining the strict chemical balance required for patient safety.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover liquid dialysis concentrates that are already dissolved in water.
Patent monitoring