Measuring conductivity of a medical fluid
First Claim
1. A dialysis device comprising:
- a flow channel that comprises a disposable flow-through container, the flow channel and the container containing a fluid and in fluid communication with each other, wherein the disposable flow-through container comprises a fluid inlet port through which the fluid enters the container from an inlet line of the flow channel, and a fluid outlet port through which the fluid exits the container to an outlet line of the flow channel;
a toroid configured to accept, through an aperture of the toroid, at least a portion of the container;
an electromagnetic coil wrapped around the toroid, such that the coil passes around an outer surface and an inner surface of the toroid, and covers less than the entire circumference of the toroid, the coil configured to;
generate an electromagnetic signal;
concentrate the electromagnetic signal on the fluid in the container such that the electromagnetic signal traverses the container in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the flow channel, wherein a portion of the fluid resides substantially stagnantly within the container while flow is maintained in the inlet line and the outlet line; and
read the electromagnetic signal after it has traversed the fluid in the container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In certain aspects, a dialysis device includes a flow channel that includes a disposable flow-through container. The flow channel and the container contain a fluid and are in fluid communication with each other. The dialysis device also includes a toroid configured to accept, through an aperture of the toroid, at least a portion of the container. The dialysis device also includes an electromagnetic coil wrapped around the toroid, such that the coil passes around an outer surface and an inner surface of the toroid, and covers less than the entire circumference of the toroid. The coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic signal. The coil is also configured to concentrate the electromagnetic signal on the fluid in the container such that the electromagnetic signal traverses the container in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the flow channel. The coil is also configured to read the electromagnetic signal after it has traversed the fluid in the container.
198 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A dialysis device comprising:
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a flow channel that comprises a disposable flow-through container, the flow channel and the container containing a fluid and in fluid communication with each other, wherein the disposable flow-through container comprises a fluid inlet port through which the fluid enters the container from an inlet line of the flow channel, and a fluid outlet port through which the fluid exits the container to an outlet line of the flow channel; a toroid configured to accept, through an aperture of the toroid, at least a portion of the container; an electromagnetic coil wrapped around the toroid, such that the coil passes around an outer surface and an inner surface of the toroid, and covers less than the entire circumference of the toroid, the coil configured to; generate an electromagnetic signal; concentrate the electromagnetic signal on the fluid in the container such that the electromagnetic signal traverses the container in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the flow channel, wherein a portion of the fluid resides substantially stagnantly within the container while flow is maintained in the inlet line and the outlet line; and read the electromagnetic signal after it has traversed the fluid in the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22)
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16. A method comprising:
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using a dialysis fluid pump of a dialysis machine to deliver fluid through a flow channel that comprises a disposable flow-through container, the flow channel and the container containing a fluid and in fluid communication with each other, wherein the disposable flow-through container comprises a fluid inlet port through which the fluid enters the container from an inlet line of the flow channel, and a fluid outlet port through which the fluid exits the container to an outlet line of the flow channel; introducing at least a portion of the container into an aperture of a toroid; generating, by an electromagnetic coil wrapped around the toroid, such that the coil passes around an outer surface and an inner surface of the toroid, and covers less than the entire circumference of the toroid, an electromagnetic signal; concentrating the electromagnetic signal on the fluid in the container such that the electromagnetic signal traverses the container in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the flow channel, wherein a portion of the fluid resides substantially stagnantly within the container while flow is maintained in the inlet line and the outlet line; and measuring at least one electrical characteristic of the fluid in the container. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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19. A dialysis device comprising:
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a flow channel that comprises an inlet line, an outlet line, and a disposable flow-through container, wherein the disposable flow-through container comprises a fluid inlet port through which the fluid enters the container from the inlet line, and a fluid outlet port through which the fluid exits the container to the outlet line, the container configured to allow the fluid to accumulate in the container; and a toroid configured to accept, through an aperture of the toroid, at least a portion of the container; and an electromagnetic coil wrapped around the toroid configured to; generate an electromagnetic signal; concentrate the electromagnetic signal on the fluid in the container, wherein a portion of the fluid resides substantially stagnantly within the container while flow is maintained in the inlet line and the outlet line; and read the electromagnetic signal after it has traversed the fluid in the container.
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20. A dialysis device comprising:
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a flow channel that comprises an inlet line, an outlet line, and a disposable flow-through container, wherein the disposable flow-through container comprises a fluid inlet port through which the fluid enters the container from the inlet line, and a fluid outlet port through which the fluid exits the container to the outlet line, the container configured to allow the fluid to accumulate in the container; and a toroid having a top surface configured to accept, from the top surface, through an aperture of the toroid, at least a portion of the container, such that the inlet line, the outlet line, and the rest of the container reside above the top surface of the toroid; and an electromagnetic coil wrapped around the toroid configured to; generate an electromagnetic signal; concentrate the electromagnetic signal on the fluid in the container, wherein a portion of the fluid resides substantially stagnantly within the container while flow is maintained in the inlet line and the outlet line; and read the electromagnetic signal after it has traversed the fluid in the container.
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Specification