Peritoneal Dialysis Sensor Apparatus Systems, Devices and Methods

• US 20080208111A1
• Filed: 10/12/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Kamen, Dean, Demers, Jason A., Perry, N. Christopher, Tracey, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,366,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/154 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/155 with treatment-fluid pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1561 at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/15625 the reservoirs acting as balance chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1565 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1605 Physical characteristics of the dialysate fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1639 linked by membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1664 with temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1666 by dissolving solids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/287 Dialysates therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3324 PH measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/37 Haemodialysis, haemofiltration or diafiltration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/427 : the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/43 : using vacuum at the blood pump, e.g. to accelerate filling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/837 : Aspects of flexible displacement members, e.g. shapes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/847 : arranged in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/849 : Disposable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/851 : Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 : Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/894 : Passive valves, i.e. valves actuated by the blood
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/02 : of two or more fluids at the same time
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/06 : the pumps being all of reciprocating positive-displacement type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/06 : Combinations of two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/00 : Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids F04B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/026 : each plate-like pumping flexible member working in its own pumping chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/06 : Pumps having fluid drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0736 : with two or more pumping chambers in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/02 : having bellows
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/0536 : the actuating fluid being controlled by one or more valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 : Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/22 : by means of valves F04B49/03 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/06 : Venting
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/10 : Valves; Arrangement of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/16 : Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 7/02 : the valving being fluid-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/109 : having plural pumping chambers
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 3/00 : Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 : With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0379 : By fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2521 : Flow comparison or differential response
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 : With pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86139 : Serial

Abstract

A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette-based peritoneal dialysis system is described, including a disposable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a dialysate. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a dialysate. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.

Claims

1. A cassette for performing peritoneal dialysis comprising:

a a fluid path for dialysate;

a thermal well extending into said fluid path, said thermal well comprising;

a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material, said housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface of a predetermined shape so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe, whereby said mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe and whereby the thermal well.

2. A cassette according to claim 1, in which the cassette also comprises at least one pump chamber.

3. A cassette according to claim 1, in which the cassette also comprises at least one valving station.

4. A cassette according to claim 1, in which the cassette also comprises at least one pump chamber and one valving station.

5. A method for determining temperature and conductivity of a dialysate to be used for peritonenal dialysis, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cassette containing at least one thermal well;

thermally coupling a thermal well and a sensing probe such that temperature and conductivity can be determined;

transferring thermal and conductivity signals through at least 3 leads from said sensing probe; and

determining temperature and conductivity using said signals.

6. A method for determining the temperature and conductivity of dialysate to be used for peritonenal dialysis for temperature and conductivity of a dialysate, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cassette containing at least one thermal well;

thermally coupling a thermal well and a sensing probe such that temperature and conductivity can be determined;

transferring thermal and conductivity signals through at least 3 leads from said sensing probe; and

determining temperature and conductivity using said signals;

comparing the conductity determined to a preset conductivity level.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said method further comprises the step of sending a signal to a device for performing peritoneal dialysis if the determined conductivity is not within a certain range of the preset conductivity level.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said method further comprises the step of suspending peritoneal dialysis treatment if the determined conductivity is not within a certain range of the preset conductivity level.

9. Apparatus for peritoneal dialysis comprising a fluid path for dialysate within a cassette including a thermal well for at least one of transmitting temperature and permitting conductivity sensing of dialysate passing through the conduit, wherein the thermal well is adapted for interconnection with a sensor.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, configured so that a portion of the well comes into contact with fluid in the fluid path.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the well is coupled to the cassette using at least one of press fit connection, flexible tabs, adhesive, ultrasonic weld, and a retaining plate and fastener.