Extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus with multiple treatment solution reservoirs

• US 10,328,193 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2013
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Frugier, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Vickie Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spies, Bradley R
• Application Number:
  US13/786,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,302 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters

Abstract

The blood treatment apparatus described herein include a plurality of treatment solution reservoirs connected to a junction which feeds an output controller through an output line. The reservoirs feed the junction through one or more liquid-gas separation filters that limit or prevent air from passing. One or more of the reservoirs can typically be emptied during a treatment session without drawing air into the system.

Claims

1. An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus comprising:

a filter comprising a primary chamber and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber by a semi-permeable membrane;

a blood circuit that includes an arterial line configured to deliver blood from a patient to the primary chamber and a venous line configured to remove the blood from the primary chamber and return the blood to the patient; and

a treatment solution delivery system configured to deliver treatment solution within the blood treatment apparatus through a treatment solution port, wherein the treatment solution delivery system comprises;

a plurality of treatment solution reservoirs, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs comprises an outlet, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs contains the same treatment solution;

a tubing set comprising a junction, a plurality of feeder lines connected to the junction, and an outlet line connected to the junction, wherein each feeder line is attached to one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs, the tubing set configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the outlet line through the junction;

a reservoir status monitor configured to determine when a treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement, wherein the reservoir status monitor comprises a gravimetric scale configured to measure the combined weight of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs at the same time;

a plurality of a liquid-gas separation filters, wherein liquid-gas separation filter of the plurality of liquid-gas separation filters is positioned in each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines of the tubing set, wherein each liquid-gas separation filter along each feeder line is located between the junction in the tubing set and the treatment solution reservoir to which the feeder line is attached, wherein all treatment solution passing through the outlet line passes through at least one liquid-gas separation filter, wherein each of the plurality of liquid-gas separation filters comprises a hydrophilic membrane through which the treatment solution passes;

an output flow controller operatively connected to the outlet line and having a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein the output flow controller delivers treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port in the first operating mode, wherein the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs are in simultaneous fluid communication with the junction of the tubing set through the plurality of feeder lines such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs empty simultaneously as the treatment solution flows through the outlet line to the output flow controller; and

a control unit operably connected to the output flow controller, wherein the control unit is configured to selectively operate the output flow controller in the first operating mode to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid gas filter in each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines is located closer to the treatment solution reservoir to which the feeder line is attached than the junction in the tubing set.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir status monitor comprises at least one pressure sensor configured to measure treatment solution fluid pressure in the tubing set, and wherein the at least one pressure sensor is operably connected to the control unit.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir status monitor comprises a sensor configured to detect treatment solution in the tubing set downstream from the empty treatment solution reservoir and upstream of the junction.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet line is connected to the blood circuit through the treatment solution port.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the output flow controller in the second operating mode after replacement of at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs.

21. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to selectively operate the output flow controller in the second operating mode to deliver a portion of treatment solution in the tubing set back into at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs.

5. A method of controlling treatment solution flow in an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus that includes a blood circuit and a treatment solution delivery system configured to deliver treatment solution within the blood treatment apparatus through a treatment solution port, wherein the treatment solution delivery system includes a plurality of treatment solution reservoirs and a tubing set that includes a junction, a plurality of feeder lines connected to the junction, and an outlet line connected to the junction, the tubing set configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the outlet line through the junction, the method comprising:

removing blood from a patient and returning the blood to the patient after passing the blood through a blood circuit such that the blood passes through a primary treatment chamber of a filter comprising the primary treatment chamber and a secondary chamber separated from the primary treatment chamber by a semi-permeable membrane;

delivering treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to an output flow controller through the tubing set at the same time such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs empty simultaneously as the treatment solution is delivered to the output flow controller, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs contains the same treatment solution, wherein the treatment solution from each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs passes through one feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines and a liquid-gas separation filter in each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines, wherein the liquid-gas separation filter in each feeder line is located between the treatment solution reservoir to which the feeder line is attached and the junction of the tubing set, wherein each liquid-gas separation filter comprises a hydrophilic membrane through which the treatment solution passes;

determining when at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement, wherein the determining comprises weighing the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs at the same time using a single gravimetric scale; and

controlling operation of the output flow controller based at least in part on the determination that at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises operating the output flow controller in a reverse operating mode after replacing at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the liquid gas filter in each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines is located closer to the treatment solution reservoir to which the feeder line is attached than the junction in the tubing set.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein determining when at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement comprises measuring treatment solution fluid pressure in the tubing set.

9. A method according to claim 5, wherein determining when at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement comprises sensing treatment solution in the tubing set upstream of the junction.

11. A method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises delivering the treatment solution to the blood circuit using the output flow controller.

22. A method according to claim 5, wherein controlling operation of the output flow controller comprises:

selectively operating the output flow controller in a forward operating mode to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port; and

selectively operating the output flow controller in a reverse operating mode in which at least a portion of the treatment solution in the tubing set between the liquid-gas separation filter and the output flow controller is delivered back into the tubing set between the liquid-gas separation filter and the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs.

13. An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus comprising:

a filter comprising a primary chamber and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber by a semi-permeable membrane;

a blood circuit that includes an arterial line configured to deliver blood from a patient to the primary chamber and a venous line configured to remove the blood from the primary chamber and return the blood to the patient; and

a treatment solution delivery system configured to deliver treatment solution within the blood treatment apparatus through a treatment solution port, wherein the treatment solution delivery system comprises;

a plurality of treatment solution reservoirs, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs comprises an outlet, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs contains the same treatment solution;

a tubing set comprising a junction, a plurality of feeder lines connected to the junction, and an outlet line connected to the junction, the tubing set configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the outlet line through the junction;

a reservoir status monitor configured to determine when a treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement, wherein the reservoir status monitor comprises a gravimetric scale configured to measure the combined weight of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs at the same time;

at least one liquid-gas separation filter positioned in the tubing set, wherein all treatment solution passing through the outlet line passes through the at least one liquid-gas separation filter, wherein each of the at least one liquid-gas separation filters comprises a hydrophilic membrane through which the treatment solution passes;

an output flow controller operatively connected to the outlet line, wherein the output flow controller is configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port, wherein the at least one liquid-gas separation filter is positioned between the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs and the output flow controller such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs are in simultaneous fluid communication with the at least one liquid-gas separation filter through the plurality of feeder lines of the tubing set such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs empty simultaneously as the treatment solution flows through the outlet line to the output flow controller, wherein each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines is connected to one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs; and

a control unit operably connected to the output flow controller, wherein the control unit is configured to;

operate the output flow controller in a forward operating mode to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port; and

operate the output flow controller in a reverse operating mode causing a portion of treatment solution in the tubing set between the liquid-gas separation filter and the output flow controller to be delivered back into the tubing set between the liquid-gas separation filter and the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs;

wherein a volume of treatment solution in the plurality of feeder lines of the tubing set between the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs and the at least one liquid-gas separation filter is less than a volume of treatment solution between the at least one liquid-gas separation filter and the output flow controller.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the output flow controller in the reverse operating mode after replacement of at least one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs.

15. An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus comprising:

a filter comprising a primary chamber and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber by a semi-permeable membrane;

a blood circuit that includes an arterial line configured to deliver blood from a patient to the primary chamber and a venous line configured to remove the blood from the primary chamber and return the blood to the patient; and

a treatment solution delivery system configured to deliver treatment solution within the blood treatment apparatus through a treatment solution port, wherein the treatment solution delivery system comprises;

a plurality of treatment solution reservoirs, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs comprises an outlet, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs contains the same treatment solution;

a tubing set comprising a junction, a plurality of feeder lines connected to the junction, and an outlet line connected to the junction, the tubing set configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the outlet line through the junction;

a reservoir status monitor configured to determine when a treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement, the reservoir status monitor comprising a gravimetric scale configured to measure the combined weight of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs at the same time;

at least one liquid-gas separation filter positioned in the tubing set, wherein all treatment solution passing through the outlet line passes through the at least one liquid-gas separation filter, wherein each of the at least one liquid-gas separation filters comprises a hydrophilic membrane;

an output flow controller operatively connected to the outlet line, wherein the output flow controller is configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port, wherein the at least one liquid-gas separation filter is positioned between the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs and the output flow controller such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs are in simultaneous fluid communication with the at least one liquid-gas separation filter through the plurality of feeder lines of the tubing set such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs empty simultaneously as the treatment solution flows through the outlet line to the output flow controller, wherein each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines is connected to one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs; and

a control unit operably connected to the sensor and the output flow controller, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the output flow controller and wherein the sensor is configured to supply weight information to the control unit.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the reservoir status monitor is configured to determine when a treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution requires replacement based on the combined weight of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs at the same time.

17. An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus comprising:

a filter comprising a primary chamber and a secondary chamber separated from the primary chamber by a semi-permeable membrane;

a blood circuit that includes an arterial line configured to deliver blood from a patient to the primary chamber and a venous line configured to remove the blood from the primary chamber and return the blood to the patient; and

a treatment solution delivery system configured to deliver treatment solution within the blood treatment apparatus through a treatment solution port, wherein the treatment solution delivery system comprises;

a plurality of treatment solution reservoirs, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs comprises an outlet, wherein each treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs contains the same treatment solution;

a tubing set comprising a junction, a plurality of feeder lines connected to the junction, and an outlet line connected to the junction, the tubing set configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the outlet line through the junction;

a reservoir status monitor configured to determine when a treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs requires replacement, wherein the reservoir status monitor comprises a gravimetric scale configured to measure the combined weight of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs at the same time;

at least one liquid-gas separation filter positioned in the tubing set, wherein all treatment solution passing through the outlet line passes through the at least one liquid-gas separation filter, the at least one liquid-gas separation filters being configured to pass liquid while substantially preventing the passage of gases, wherein each of the at least one liquid-gas separation filters comprises a hydrophilic membrane through which the treatment solution passes;

an output flow controller operatively connected to the outlet line, wherein the output flow controller is configured to deliver treatment solution from the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs to the treatment solution port, wherein the at least one liquid-gas separation filter is positioned between the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs and the output flow controller such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs are in simultaneous fluid communication with the at least one liquid-gas separation filter through the plurality of feeder lines of the tubing set such that the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs empty simultaneously as the treatment solution flows through the outlet line to the output flow controller, wherein each feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines is connected to one treatment solution reservoir of the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs; and

a control unit operably connected to the output flow controller, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the output flow controller;

wherein a volume of treatment solution in the plurality of feeder lines of the tubing set between the plurality of treatment solution reservoirs and the at least one liquid-gas separation filter is less than a volume of treatment solution between the at least one liquid-gas separation filter and the output flow controller.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at least one liquid-gas separation filter is configured to stop fluid flow through the at least one liquid-gas separation filter if air reaches the at least one liquid-gas separation filter.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the treatment solution delivery system further comprises, for each of the feeder lines, a connector used to connect the respective feeder line to a reservoirs, wherein each connector comprises one of the at least one liquid-gas separation filters.

20. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of the at least one liquid-gas separation filter includes a hydrophilic media configured to provide a passage for liquid and/or a hydrophobic membrane configured to provide a vent for gas separated from the liquid passing the filter.