NOISE-REDUCING DIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF REDUCING NOISE IN DIALYSIS SYSTEMS

• US 20110163033A1
• Filed: 03/14/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• 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: Childers, Robert W., Wellings, Anders, Hecht, Gideon, Chapman, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,465,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/646
• 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 1/1524 the interface providing means for actuating on functional elements of the cassette, e.g. plungers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/155 with treatment-fluid pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1562 Details of incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1565 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1621 Constructional aspects thereof semi-permeable membranes for separation processes characterised by their properties B01D69/00; semi permeable membranes characterised by their material B01D71/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1649 with pulsatile dialysis fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/281 Instillation other than by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/30 Single needle dialysis ; Reciprocating systems, alternately withdrawing blood from and returning it to the patient, e.g. single-lumen-needle dialysis or single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3624 Level detectors; Level control
• 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 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/427 the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/847 arranged in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/857 Implantable blood tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00396 : Membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00398 : in multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00409 : Solenoids in combination with valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00412 : In multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/02 : Installations or systems with accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/021 : used for damping
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0807 : Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0814 : Monoblock manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0817 : Multiblock manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0821 : Attachment or sealing of modular units to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0825 : the modular elements being mounted on a common member, e.g. on a rail
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0828 : characterised by sealing means of the modular units
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0832 : Modular valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0835 : Cartridge type valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0842 : Monoblock type valves, e.g. with multiple valve spools in a common housing
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/006 : Compensation or avoidance of ambient pressure variation
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/008 : Reduction of noise or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0082 : Microvalves adapted for a particular use
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0086 : Medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0042 : Electric operating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 : Electric

Abstract

A dialysis system includes at least one pneumatic valve, a pneumatic pump in fluid communication with the pneumatic valve, a pneumatic line communicating with an inlet and an outlet of the pneumatic pump, a flow restrictor placed in the pneumatic line, and a logic implementer. The logic implementer is programmed to operate the pneumatic valve to either (i) communicate the pneumatic outlet with the pneumatic inlet of the pneumatic pump through the flow restrictor and the pneumatic line, or (ii) communicate the outlet of the pneumatic pump with a component of the dialysis system.

Claims

1. A dialysis system comprising:

at least one pneumatic valve;

a pneumatic pump in fluid communication with the pneumatic valve;

a pneumatic line capable of communication with an inlet and an outlet of the pneumatic pump;

a flow restrictor placed in the pneumatic line; and

a logic implementer programmed to operate the pneumatic valve to either (i) communicate the pneumatic outlet with the pneumatic inlet of the pneumatic pump through the flow restrictor and the pneumatic line;

or (ii) communicate the outlet of the pneumatic pump with a component of the dialysis system.

2. The dialysis system of claim 1, the pneumatic pump including first and second pump heads, the pneumatic line a first pneumatic line communicating with the first pump head, the flow restrictor a first flow restrictor, and which includes a second pneumatic line including a second flow restrictor and communicating with the second pump head.

3. The dialysis system of claim 2, wherein the first pneumatic line forms a first pneumatic recirculation loop, and the second pneumatic line forms a second pneumatic recirculation loop.

4. The dialysis system of claim 2, wherein the pneumatic valve is a first pneumatic valve, and which includes a second pneumatic valve in communication with the second pump head, the second pneumatic valve for selective communication with the second pneumatic line.

5. The dialysis system of claim 1, which includes a filter in fluid communication with the pneumatic line.

6. The dialysis system of claim 5, which includes a plurality of flow restrictors located between the pneumatic valve and the filter.

7. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic pump includes first and second pump heads, the first pump head configured to supply positive pressure to the pneumatic line and the second pump head configured to apply negative pressure to the pneumatic line.

8. A dialysis system comprising:

first and second pneumatic valves;

a first pneumatic pump head in fluid communication with the first pneumatic valve;

a second pneumatic pump head in fluid communication with the second pneumatic valve;

a first pneumatic line communicating with an inlet and an outlet of the first pneumatic pump;

a second pneumatic line communicating with an inlet and an outlet of the second pneumatic pump;

a first flow restrictor placed in the first pneumatic line; and

a second flow restrictor placed in the second pneumatic line; and

wherein the first and second valves are configured (i) in a noise-reducing state to cause at least one of (a) air to re-circulate through the first pneumatic line and the first flow restrictor and (b) air to re-circulate through the second pneumatic line and the second flow restrictor, and (ii) in a pressure-supplying state to cause pressure to be supplied to a component of the dialysis system via at least one of the first and second pneumatic valves.

9. The dialysis system of claim 8, wherein the first pump head is configured to supply a positive pressure and the second pump head is configured to supply a negative pressure.

10. The dialysis system of claim 8, which includes a filter in fluid communication with the first and second pneumatic lines.

11. The dialysis system of claim 8, which includes a logic implementer programmed to cause the first and second valves to operate in the noise-reducing and pressure-supplying states.

12. The dialysis system of claim 8, which includes a logic implementer programmed to cause the first valve to operate in the noise-reducing state, while the second valve operates in the pressure-supplying state.

13. The dialysis system of claim 8, which includes a logic implementer programmed to cause the first and second valves to operate in one of the noise-reducing and the pressure supplying states simultaneously.

14. A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system comprising:

(i) supplying air pressure in a first valve state from a pneumatic pump to operate a component of the dialysis system; and

(ii) reducing flow of air recirculated in a second, noise-reducing valve state by pumping air from an outlet of the pneumatic pump through a flow restrictor to an inlet of the pneumatic pump.

15. The pneumatic method of claim 14, which includes reducing air flow in a plurality of stages in the second valve state.

16. The pneumatic method of claim 14, which includes filtering air supplied to the pneumatic pump.

17. The pneumatic method of claim 14, wherein supplying air pressure includes supplying positive air pressure, and which includes locating a valve for producing the first and second valve states pneumatically downstream from the pneumatic pump.

18. The pneumatic method of claim 14, wherein supplying air pressure includes supplying negative air pressure, and which includes locating a valve for producing the first and second valve states pneumatically upstream from the pneumatic pump.

19. The pneumatic method of claim 14, which includes energizing a first valve so as to produce the first valve state and de-energizing a second valve so as to produce the second valve state.

20. A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system comprising:

(i) selectively enabling air to be pulled in from a fluid flow portion of the dialysis system or to be recirculated to reduce noise; and

(ii) selectively enabling air to be pushed out to the fluid flow portion of the dialysis system or to be recirculated to reduce noise.

21. The pneumatic method of claim 20, which includes pulling air into a first pump head and pushing air out of a second pump head.

22. The pneumatic method of claim 20, wherein air in (i) is recirculated in a different loop than air (ii).

23. The pneumatic method of claim 20, wherein recirculating air in at least one of (i) and (ii) further includes restricting flow of the air.