Dialysis machine with a device for preparing dialysis solutions

• US 20010040127A1
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joachim Dopper, Rainer Donig, Wolfgang Schulz
• Original Assignee: Joachim Dopper, Rainer Donig, Wolfgang Schulz
• Inventors: Schulz, Wolfgang, Dopper, Joachim, Donig, Rainer
• Granted Patent: US 6,685,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/321.71
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dialysis machine with a device for preparing dialysis solutions. Simple and reliable preparation of dialysis fluids of different concentrations is achieved by the fact that the device has a detector device, at least two connections and at least two interchangeable storage containers to hold the solution ingredients to be metered, each being connected to at least one connector, and with the connectors being connectable to the connections, and with the connectors or the areas of a connecting tube near the connectors having identification means which can be detected by the detector device. The present invention also relates to a connector for connecting a storage container with solution ingredients to a medical apparatus, where the connector or areas of a connecting tube near the connector has identification means. The present invention also relates to a method of detecting a connection of a solution ingredient storage container. A simple and reliable implementation of the method is guaranteed by the fact that the connector is provided with identification means and is attached to a matching component, and a reader unit determines the type and position of the connector.

Claims

1. A dialysis machine comprising:

a preparation device for preparing dialysis solutions, the preparation device including a detector device, a first connection and a second connection, first and second interchangeable storage containers for solution ingredients, and a first connector for connecting the first storage container to the first connection and a second connector for connecting the second storage container to the second connection, the first connector or a connecting tube of the first storage container having an identifier detectable by the detector device.

2. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 1

wherein the first storage container is a solution bag, the solution bag including the connecting tube, the first connector being provided at an end of the connecting tube.

3. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 1

wherein the identifier is provided at a predetermined position on the first connector, and the detector device is capable of detecting the type and the position of the identifier.

4. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 1

wherein the identifier includes a bar code.

5. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 4

wherein the bar code is arranged on the first connector so that bars of the bar code run circumferentially around the connector.

6. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 1

wherein the identifier includes information on a type and volume of the solution ingredients from the storage container.

7. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 1

further comprising an analyzer unit connectable to the detector device, the analyzer unit capable of comparing required values for quantities of the dialysis solution ingredients with actual values determined by the detector device.

8. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 7

further comprising a signaling unit or cutoff device connectable to the analyzer unit.

9. The dialysis machine as recited in

claim 8

wherein the cutoff device operates mechanically and/or electrically.

10. A connector for connecting a storage container with solution ingredients to a dialysis machine, the connector comprising:

an identifier for identifying the storage container.

11. The connector as recited in

claim 10

wherein the identifier includes a bar code.

12. The connector as recited in

claim 11

wherein the bar code runs circumferentially.

13. A method of detecting connection of a solution ingredient storage container comprising the steps of:

providing a connector with an identifier;

connecting the connector to a matching connection, and

reading the identifier so as to determine a type and a position of the connector.

14. The method as recited in

claim 13

wherein the identifier includes a bar code.

15. A method of providing a dialysis solution comprising the steps of:

providing a connector with an identifier;

connecting the connector to a solution bag at one end and a mixing chamber at another end;

reading the identifier; and

analyzing a mixture at an output of the mixing chamber so as to compare at least one mixture value to at least one predetermined value.

16. The method as recited in

claim 15

further comprising providing a second connector with a second identifier and connecting the second connector to the second solution bag at one end and to the mixing chamber at another end.

17. The method as recited in

claim 15

wherein the reading step results in at least one solution value, the at least one predetermined value being a function of the at least one solution value.

18. The method as recited in

claim 15

further comprising stopping flow from mixing chamber if the at least one mixture value does not correspond to the at least one predetermined value.

19. The method as recited in

claim 15

further comprising controlling solution flow to the mixing chamber as a function of the at least one mixture value.