Ask a Librarian

Threre are lots of ways to contact a librarian. Choose what works best for you.

HOURS TODAY

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Reference Desk

CONTACT US BY PHONE

(802) 656-2022

Voice

(802) 503-1703

Text

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR EMAIL A QUESTION

Schedule an Appointment

Meet with a librarian or subject specialist for in-depth help.

Email a Librarian

Submit a question for reply by e-mail.

WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE RIGHT AWAY?

Library Hours for Tuesday, March 19th

All of the hours for today can be found below. We look forward to seeing you in the library.
HOURS TODAY
8:00 am - 12:00 am
MAIN LIBRARY

SEE ALL LIBRARY HOURS
WITHIN HOWE LIBRARY

MapsM-Th by appointment, email govdocs@uvm.edu

Media Services8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Reference Desk10:00 am - 3:00 pm

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Special Collections10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Dana Health Sciences Library7:30 am - 11:00 pm

 

CATQuest

Search the UVM Libraries' collections

UVM Theses and Dissertations

Browse by Department
Format:
Print
Author:
Boamah, Edward Kwasi
Dept./Program:
Mathematics
Year:
2005
Degree:
Ph. D.
Abstract:
Hemodialysis (HD) is one type of procedure for eliminating toxic chemicals and infusing bicarbonate in people whose kidneys do not function properly. Research and development in the hemodialyzer industry have, hitherto, depended mostly on empirical evidence to optimize HD therapy. This is often costly and involves numerous clinical trials. In search for optimal HD, researchers have used 'black box' input-output ordinary differential equation models to study the dynamic exchange of solutes during HD. In the era of advances in contemporary HD therapy, these models are oversimplistic. In collaboration with Nephrologists and HD centers, we have developed a comprehensive mathematical model to describe the dynamic exchange process of solutes in the hemodialyzer. We have developed the models to determine the steady state and the time-dependent patterns of the solute changes in the hemodialyzer unit. The model, which is represented by a coupled set of transport equations, delineates the blood and dialyzate compartments of the hemodialyzer, and includes bicarbonate buffering reaction in the blood channel and bicarbonate replenishment mechanism in the dialyzate. A numerical solution of the model using finite difference schemes give solute concentrations at various distances along the blood and dialyzate channels at different times. This modeling exercise has allowed us to examine some physical mechanisms of the hemodialyzer, some of which include key fiber properties, ultrafiltration rate, blood and dialyzate flow rates, duration of HD, and their affects on the dynamic exchange of solutes during HD therapy.