DIALYSIS SYSTEM HAVING AUTOCONNECTION

• US 20120241367A1
• Filed: 06/11/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2007
• 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., Lee, Patrick, Kopychev, Andrey, Reitz, Douglas, Roger, Rodolfo, Steck, John F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,242,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/233
• 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 1/152 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/153 the cassette being adapted for heating or cooling the treating fluid, e.g. the dialysate or the treating gas
• 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 1/1565 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/159 specially adapted for peritoneal dialysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1601 Control or regulation
• 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 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• 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 39/165 Shrouds or protectors for aseptically enclosing the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/162 Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube ; Connections between reservoir and tube in jet-action syringes A61M5/30; connectors for tubes having sealed ends and a needle for piercing them A61M39/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1626 Needle protectors therefor in combination with syringes A61M5/3202; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one fluid pump, and an autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder; a plurality of pierceable connectors each held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, each of the pierceable connectors in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid; a plurality of spikes each held fixed by the dialysis machine, each of the spikes in fluid communication with a disposable component that is positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump; and wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the spikes pierce the pierceable connectors and (ii) the sources of medical fluid can communicate with the disposable component positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump.

Claims

1. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine including

at least one fluid pump, and

an autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder;

a plurality of pierceable connectors each held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, each of the pierceable connectors in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid;

a plurality of spikes each held fixed by the dialysis machine, each of the spikes in fluid communication with a disposable component that is positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump; and

wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the spikes pierce the pierceable connectors and (ii) the sources of medical fluid can communicate with the disposable component positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump.

2. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the autoconnection mechanism includes a motor positioned and arranged to move the moveable holder.

3. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the autoconnection mechanism includes a motor that rotates a member so that the moveable holder can be moved.

4. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the disposable component includes a disposable cassette, the spikes fixed to the cassette.

5. The dialysis system of claim 4, wherein the disposable cassette is mounted on the dialysis machine such that the spikes are pointed towards the plurality of pierceable connectors.

6. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the pierceable connectors are in fluid communication with tubes that are in turn in fluid communication with the medical fluid sources.

7. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the sources of medical fluid are dialysis fluid sources.

8. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid pump is a peristaltic pump.

9. The dialysis system of claim 1, which includes a valve located between each of the spikes and the at least one fluid pump.

10. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the spikes and the pierceable connectors are located fluidly between the at least one pump and the sources of medical fluid.

11. The dialysis system of claim 1, wherein the autoconnection mechanism includes a motor and a rotational to translational conversion apparatus positioned and arranged to convert a rotational output of the motor to a translational movement of the moveable holder.

12. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine including

a fluid pump, and

an autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder;

a pierceable connector held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, the pierceable connector in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid;

a spike held fixed by the dialysis machine, the spike in fluid communication with a disposable component that is positioned and arranged to operate with the fluid pump, the spike surrounded by an annular structure into which the pierceable connector is guided for interaction with the spike; and

wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the pierceable connector moves inside the annular structure and is pierced by the spike and (ii) the source of medical fluid can fluidly communicate with the disposable component for fluid pumping by the fluid pump from the source.

13. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the disposable component is a disposable cassette that is formed with the spike surrounded by the annular structure.

14. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the pierceable connector is covered by a cap that is removed before the pierceable connector is spiked by the spike.

15. The dialysis system of claim 14, wherein the autoconnection mechanism is operated to automatically remove the cap from the pierceable connector.

16. The dialysis system of claim 14, wherein the cap is a connector cap, and wherein the spike is covered by spike cap that is removed before the pierceable connector is spiked by the spike.

17. The dialysis system of claim 16 wherein the autoconnection mechanism is operated to automatically remove the spike cap from the spike.

18. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the annular structure extends continuously surrounds the spike.

19. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein spike and connector form a first mated pair, and which includes a second pair of mated spike with annular structure and pierceable connector.

20. A dialysis method comprising:

guiding a pierceable connector within an annular structure so that the connector is spiked by a spike, enabling a medical fluid to be pumped from a source through the spike and connector during a dialysis treatment.