PORTABLE POWER DIALYSIS MACHINE

• US 20100022937A1
• Filed: 07/23/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2008
• 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: Lauman, Brian C., Kienman, Richard E., Bedingfield, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,349,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/6.90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/166 Heating for sterilisation A61M1/1686
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/284 Continuous flow peritoneal dialysis [CFPD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3623 Means for actively controlling temperature of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8268 Fuel storage cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.

Claims

1. A method for operating a medical fluid machine, comprising:

providing a portable fuel cell power source;

connecting an output of the power source to a medical fluid machine; and

operating the medical fluid machine,

wherein the power source is adapted to power the medical fluid machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is powered by methanol or ethanol.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable fuel cell power source generates electricity and further comprising storing electricity in a battery or capacitor connected to the portable fuel cell power source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable fuel cell power source comprises a fuel cell and optionally a fuel source connected to the fuel cell.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical fluid machine is a portable peritoneal dialysis machine which is worn by a person.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising warming medical fluid for infusion into the patient using a catalytic heater.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing power to the medical fluid machine from household utility power or vehicle electric power.

8. A method for operating a dialysis machine, comprising:

providing a fuel cell source of electric power;

connecting an electrical output of the fuel cell source to a dialysis machine; and

operating the dialysis machine, wherein the fuel cell source is powered by a liquid fuel and is at least as small, compact and portable as the dialysis machine.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis machine or a hemodialysis machine.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing electricity in a storage device operably connected to at least one of the fuel cell and the dialysis machine.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the dialysis machine and the fuel cell are portable, and wherein the step of operating occurs while the dialysis machine and fuel cell are being worn by a patient.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising converting the electric power to a voltage useable by the dialysis machine.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising warming dialysis fluid for the patient using a catalytic heater.

14. A portable, wearable dialysis machine for a patient, comprising:

a fuel cell for powering the wearable dialysis machine;

a pump powered by the fuel cell for pumping dialysis fluid in a fluid circuit;

a particulate filter placed in the fluid circuit; and

a replaceable cartridge in the fluid circuit for absorbing waste products.

15. The portable, wearable dialysis machine of claim 14, further comprising an antibacterial filter in the fluid circuit and upstream of an access device connected to the patient.

16. The portable, wearable dialysis machine of claim 14, wherein the patient connects to the fluid circuit with a single lumen access device or a double-lumen access device.

17. The portable, wearable dialysis machine of claim 14, wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol or ethanol fuel cell.

18. The portable, wearable dialysis machine of claim 14, wherein the dialysis machine is a hemodialysis machine, and further comprising a container for the dialysis fluid, a dialyzer, a second pump powered by the fuel cell, and tubing connecting the dialysis fluid container to the fluid circuit and the dialyzer, and blood line tubing connecting the patient to the second pump and the dialyzer and returning to the patient.

19. The portable, wearable dialysis machine of claim 14, wherein the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis machine.

20. The portable, wearable dialysis machine of claim 14, further comprising a catalytic heater for warming the dialysis fluid for the patient.

21. A dialysis machine, comprising:

a fuel cell for powering the dialysis machine;

an electric power storage device connected to the fuel cell;

a fluid circuit for dialysis fluid for the dialysis machine, the fluid circuit comprising an input line for fresh dialysis fluid, a fluid connection to a patient, and a drain for voiding spent dialysis fluid;

at least one positive displacement pump powered by the fuel cell for pumping the dialysis fluid to and from the patient;

at least one input device for controlling the dialysis machine;

at least one output device for monitoring the dialysis machine; and

a controller for controlling the dialysis machine, the controller operably connected to the at least one input device and output device.

22. The dialysis machine of claim 21, wherein the electric power storage device is a battery or a capacitor capable of storing sufficient power for at least one hour of operation of the dialysis machine.

23. The dialysis machine of claim 21, further comprising a circuit for converting electric power in the storage device to electricity useful for powering at least the dialysis machine and the controller.

24. The dialysis machine of claim 21, further comprising circuitry for connecting household, vehicle or utility power to the dialysis machine, wherein the dialysis machine is capable of being powered by household, vehicle, or utility power.

25. The dialysis machine of claim 21, wherein the fuel cell is a hydrogen, methanol or ethanol fuel cell.

26. The dialysis machine of claim 21, further comprising an in-line catalytic heater for warming the dialysis fluid, the in-line catalytic heater in operable communication with the controller.