DIALYSIS SYSTEM WITH FLOW REGULATION DEVICE

• US 20100018923A1
• Filed: 07/25/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Rohde, Justin B., Maliekkal, Shincy J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,265,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/646
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1635 with volume chamber balancing devices between used and fresh dialysis fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates

Abstract

A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine with a variable fluid demand including at least a lower demand and a higher demand. A fluid source is in fluid communication with the dialysis machine and provides fluid to the dialysis machine at a fluid flow rate. A flow regulation device includes a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid source and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the dialysis machine. The flow regulation device is operable to expand and contract to provide a variable internal volume. The flow regulation device expands when the dialysis machine has the lower demand and contracts when the dialysis machine has the higher demand.

Claims

1. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine with a variable fluid demand including at least a lower demand and a higher demand;

a fluid source in fluid communication with the dialysis machine and providing fluid to the dialysis machine at a fluid flow rate; and

a flow regulation device comprising a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid source and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the dialysis machine, wherein the flow regulation device is operable to expand and contract to provide a variable internal volume, wherein the flow regulation device expands when the dialysis machine has the lower demand and contracts when the dialysis machine has the higher demand.

2. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the fluid is dialysate.

3. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the fluid is purified water.

4. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the flow regulation device comprises a first wall and a second wall disposed opposite each other between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to define in part the internal volume, wherein the first wall and the second wall are composed of a compliant material.

5. The dialysis system of claim 4 wherein the first wall and the second wall move away from each other when the device expands and move towards each other when the device contracts.

6. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the flow regulation device comprises a pleated wall, the pleated wall expanding outwardly and contracting inwardly to provide the variable internal volume.

7. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the flow regulation device provides a maximum internal volume between 25 mL and 200 mL.

8. The dialysis system of claim 7 wherein the maximum internal volume of the flow regulation device is between 50 ml and 100 ml.

9. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the fluid source comprises a system for preparing the fluid from a water source.

10. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow rate from the fluid source is generally constant.

11. The dialysis system of claim 10 wherein the fluid flow rate from the fluid source is generally equal to an average fluid demand of the dialysis machine.

12. The dialysis system of claim 1 wherein the dialysis machine is a hemodialysis machine.

13. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine with a variable fluid demand including at least a lower demand and a higher demand;

a fluid source in fluid communication with the dialysis machine and providing fluid to the dialysis machine at a fluid flow rate; and

a flow regulation device comprising a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid source and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the dialysis machine, wherein the flow regulation device contains a gas providing a gas volume, where the gas volume is regulated to provide a variable fluid volume, the flow regulation device providing a maximum fluid volume between 25 mL and 200 mL, wherein the gas volume decreases when the dialysis machine has the lower demand and increases when the dialysis machine has the higher demand.

14. The dialysis system of claim 13 wherein the flow regulation device comprises a rigid canister.

15. The dialysis system of claim 13 wherein the gas volume is regulated by discharging gas from the flow regulation device and taking gas into the flow regulation device.

16. The dialysis system of claim 15 further comprising a filter for filtering gas entering the flow regulation device.

18. The dialysis system of claim 14 wherein the control signal is provided by wire.

19. The dialysis system of claim 14 wherein the control signal is provided wirelessly.

17. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine with a variable fluid demand;

a fluid source in fluid communication with the dialysis machine and providing fluid to the dialysis machine at a fluid flow rate;

a controller in communication with the dialysis machine and configured to send a control signal indicative of a fluid demand of the dialysis machine; and

a flow control mechanism in communication with the controller and operable to receive the control signal to control the fluid flow rate based on the fluid demand of the dialysis machine.

20. A method of controlling the flow of fluid to a dialysis machine comprising:

providing the dialysis machine, wherein the dialysis machine has a variable fluid demand;

providing a fluid source in fluid communication with the dialysis machine and providing fluid to the dialysis machine;

providing a flow control mechanism to control flow from the fluid source; and

controlling the flow of fluid to the dialysis machine by sending a signal from the dialysis machine, wherein the signal is indicative of a fluid demand of the dialysis machine, and using the signal to regulate the flow control mechanism to control the fluid flow based on the fluid demand of the dialysis machine.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is indicative of a current fluid demand of the dialysis machine.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is indicative of an anticipated future fluid demand of the dialysis machine.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the dialysis machine comprises a pump and a pump controller, wherein the signal is provided by the pump controller.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is provided by wire.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the signal is provided wirelessly.