BLOOD TREATMENT APPARATUS

• US 20080149551A1
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nxstage Medical Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Nxstage Medical Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: Brugger, James M., Treu, Dennis M., Burbank, Jeffrey H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/232
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/282 Operational modes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/288 Priming priming in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3643
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3401 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3441 Substitution rate control as a function of the ultrafiltration rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3444 in which the collected ultra-filtrate expels an equal volume of substitution fluid from a reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3448 by mechanically linked pumps in both ultra-filtrate and substitution flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/361 before treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3612 after treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36222 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36225 with blood pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36226 Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362266 Means for adding solutions or substances to the blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3626 Gas bubble detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3639 Blood pressure control, pressure transducers specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3646 Expelling the residual body fluid after use, e.g. back to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/126 with incorporated membrane filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/35 Communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 : providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 : Bar codes

Abstract

A blood processing machine has a compact configuration in which the first and second parts of the machine separate to open a gap between them. The actuators and sensors face into the gap such that when a cartridge with a fluid circuit is placed in the gap and the two parts are brought together closing the gap, the actuators and sensor engage the fluid circuit. One of the parts has an operator interface with a display that is preferably aligned with the gap in such a way that the frontal area of the machine is minimized.

Claims

1. A blood treatment system, comprising:

a blood processing machine having first and second parts that are connected and movable with respect to each other such that they can separate to define a gap in a loading configuration and come together to close the gap in an operating configuration;

a cartridge with a fluid circuit supported by the cartridge, the fluid circuit and cartridge fitting into the gap;

the blood processing machine having actuators and pumps facing the gap and configured to engage with portions of the fluid circuit when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration with the cartridge in the gap;

the second part having an exterior surface to the side of and aligned with and at least partially facing away from the gap, the exterior surface having an operator interface thereon.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the blood processing machine has a base on the first part such that the first part is fixed and the second part is moves relative to the base.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the operator interface has a display.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the operator interface has a display and user-operable controls.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the blood processing machine has a base on the first part such that the first part is fixed and the second part is moves relative to the base and wherein the operator interface faces away from the base.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first part is latched against the second part when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the operator interface is positioned such that it fits substantially within a view of the blood processing machine.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the blood processing machine has a base on a bottom surface of the first part such that the first part is fixed and the second part is moves relative to the base, the second part having a front face substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, a frontal view being defined which is substantially facing the front face, the operator interface fitting within the frontal view.

9. A blood treatment system, comprising:

a blood processing machine having a main unit and a door movably supported by the main unit such that the door can separate from the main unit to a loading configuration and come together with the main unit to an operating configuration;

the main unit having actuators and pumps facing the door at least when in the operating configuration;

the door having an operator interface;

a fluid circuit, engageable with the pumps and actuators, including blood lines connectable to a patient blood access and fluid lines connectable to a source of fluid used in performing a blood treatment;

a support element supporting the blood and fluid lines in an arrangement that aligns respective portions of the fluid circuit with the pumps and actuators when the fluid circuit is engaged with the main unit and to maintain an alignment thereof when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration;

the door having an exterior surface with operator interface thereon, the operator interface facing away from the fluid circuit when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration.

10. A system as in claim 9, wherein the operator interface has a display and user-operable controls.

11. A system as in claim 9, wherein the main unit includes a peristaltic pump actuator and the second part includes a pump race that is pressed against a portion of the fluid circuit when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration.

12. A system as in claim 9, wherein the main unit is latched against the second part with the fluid circuit between the first and second parts such that substantially all actuators required for a blood treatment operation are engaged thereby.

13. A system as in claim 9, wherein the fluid circuit includes blood and treatment fluid lines which are pumped by the at least two pump races and/or pump actuators.

14. A system as in claim 9, wherein the fluid circuit includes blood and replacement fluid lines.

15. A blood treatment system, comprising:

a blood processing machine having a fixed first part and a second, substantially smaller, part supported by and movably connected to the first part such that the first and second parts can separate to a loading configuration and come together to an operating configuration;

the first part having actuators and pumps facing the second part at least when in the operating configuration;

a fluid circuit, engageable with the blood processing machine, including blood lines connectable to a patient blood access and fluid lines connectable to a source of fluid used in performing a blood treatment;

at least one support element supporting the blood and fluid lines in an arrangement that aligns respective portions of the fluid circuit with the actuators and pumps when the fluid circuit is engaged with the blood processing machine and maintain an alignment thereof when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration;

the second part having an operator interface connected to control the pumps and actuators.

16. A system as in claim 15, wherein the first part includes a peristaltic pump actuator and the second part includes a pump race that is pressed against a portion of the fluid circuit when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration.

17. A system as in claim 15, wherein the first part includes a peristaltic pump actuator and the second part includes a pump race that is pressed against a portion of the fluid circuit when the blood processing machine is placed in the operating configuration, the pump race being spring-relieved with respect to the second part.

18. A system as in claim 15, wherein the first part is latched against the second part with the fluid circuit between the first and second parts such that substantially all actuators required for a blood treatment operation are engaged thereby.

19. A system as in claim 15, wherein the fluid circuit includes blood and treatment fluid lines which are pumped by the at least two pump races and/or pump actuators.

20. A system as in claim 15, wherein the fluid circuit includes blood and replacement fluid lines.

21. A system as in 15, wherein the operator interface fits within a view of the blood processing machine.