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.

What it 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.

What it doesn't 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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Real-world examples

• 1.Solid powder components for bicarbonate hemodialysis machines
• 2.Two-part dialysis fluid preparation kits