METHOD FOR REMOVING GASES FROM A CONTAINER HAVING A POWDERED CONCENTRATE FOR USE IN HEMODIALYSIS

• US 20130037462A1
• Filed: 09/28/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: Levin, Roland, Raiford, Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,540,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/96.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1658 Degasification
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1666 by dissolving solids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/167 Flexible packaging for solid concentrates

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A system for use in a dialysis apparatus, the system comprising:

a fluid source;

at least one line adapted to allow the passage of fluid, the hydraulic line having a first end in fluid communication with the fluid source and a second end in fluid communication with a drain;

an inlet pump disposed along the hydraulic line and in fluid communication with the fluid source;

a container containing a powdered salt concentrate, the container having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to receive fluid from the inlet pump, and the outlet adapted to pass a solution of the fluid and the salt concentrate;

a valve disposed downstream from the inlet pump and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line, the valve being disposed to selectively divert fluid flow from the hydraulic line to the inlet of the container;

a pressure sensor disposed to monitor pressure in the container;

the outlet of the container in fluid communication with the hydraulic line downstream from the bypass valve; and

a controller configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to pressure data provided from the pressure sensor.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising an air sensor disposed to detect gases in the solution, the controller being configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to solution gas data from the air sensor.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising an outlet pump located downstream from the outlet of the container and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising second valve downstream the container.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising an air separation chamber having an inlet, an outlet, wherein the inlet of the air separation chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet of the container and the outlet of the air separation chamber is in fluid communication with the hydraulic line downstream from the bypass valve.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising an outlet pump located downstream from the outlet of the container and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line, wherein the outlet pump is in fluid connection with the outlet of the air separation chamber.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the air separation chamber further comprises a vent, and the system comprises a vent line in fluid connection with the vent and with the hydraulic line.

20. The system of claim 17 further comprising an air sensor disposed to detect gases in the solution, the air sensor being in communication with the air separation chamber, and the controller being configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to solution gas data from the air sensor.