Dialysis Machine Support Assemblies and Related Systems and Methods

• US 20130106609A1
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2011
• 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: Singh, Gurpreet, Farrell, Sean, Young, Michael David
• Granted Patent: US 9,186,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1522 the interface being evacuated interfaces to enhance contact
• 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 1/154 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 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/288 Priming priming in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3643
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/121 interface between cassette and base
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment

Abstract

In some aspects, a dialysis machine support assembly includes a platform configured to support a dialysis machine and a drive assembly configured to move the platform vertically.

Claims

1. A dialysis machine support assembly comprising:

a platform configured to support a dialysis machine; and

a drive assembly configured to move the platform vertically.

2. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 1, wherein

the drive assembly is configured to be controlled by the dialysis machine.

3. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly can move the platform along a vertical distance that is 24-48 inches.

4. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control unit that is electrically connected to the drive assembly and is configured to operate the drive assembly to move and position the platform vertically.

5. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 1, further comprising a device configured to prevent the platform from rotating about the drive assembly when the platform moves vertically.

6. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises:

a leadscrew fixed to a base;

a leadscrew nut that is rotatably coupled to the platform and configured to engage the leadscrew; and

a motor that is mechanically connected to the leadscrew nut and configured to rotate the leadscrew nut.

7. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 6, wherein the motor is an electric motor configured to be electrically connected to the dialysis machine or to an external control unit.

8. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 6, wherein:

the leadscrew has a recess formed longitudinally along the leadscrew; and

the platform has a tab that is sized to fit within the recess and travel along the recess when the platform moves vertically.

9. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

multiple legs; and

a stationary platform disposed on top of the multiple legs.

10. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 9, further comprising a base from which the multiple legs extend upwardly.

11. The dialysis machine support assembly of claim 10, further comprising multiple wheels secured to the bottom of the base to support the dialysis machine support assembly.

12. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine; and

a dialysis machine support assembly comprising;

a platform configured to support the dialysis machine; and

a drive assembly configured to move the platform vertically,

wherein the dialysis machine is disposed on the platform.

13. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the dialysis machine is electrically connected to the drive assembly and configured to operate the drive assembly to move and position the platform vertically.

14. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the dialysis machine comprises pressure sensors to measure pressure in a fluid path between fluid pump chambers of the dialysis machine and a patient.

15. The dialysis system of claim 12, wherein the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis cycler.

16. A method comprising:

monitoring pressure in a fluid path between a dialysis fluid pump chamber and a patient; and

adjusting a vertical position of a dialysis machine when monitored pressure exceeds a maximum pressure or falls below a minimum pressure.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting a rate at which fluid is pump to or from a patient along the fluid path.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting a vertical position when monitored pressure exceeds a maximum pressure comprises moving the dialysis machine upward vertically while fluid is being provided to a patient.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the maximum pressure is 150-200 mbar.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising reducing a rate at which fluid is pumped to the patient.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting a vertical position when monitored pressure falls below a minimum pressure comprises moving the dialysis machine downward vertically while fluid is being removed from a patient.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the minimum pressure is (−

150)-(−

200) mbar.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising reducing a rate at which fluid is pumped from the patient.

24. A dialysis machine support assembly, comprising:

a base;

multiple wheels disposed along a bottom surface of the base;

a drive assembly extending upward from the base that is configured to be electrically connected to a dialysis machine;

a vertically moveable platform secured to a moving portion of the drive assembly, the vertically moveable platform being configured to support the dialysis machine, and the position of the vertically moveable platform being controlled by the drive assembly;

multiple legs extending upward from the base;

a stationary platform disposed on top of the multiple legs, the stationary platform defining a recess that is sized to receive the vertically moveable platform; and

multiple hooks extending from the sides of the stationary platform, the hooks being configured to support dialysate bags fluidly connected to the dialysis machine during a dialysis treatment,

wherein, the drive assembly is configured to move the vertically moveable platform above and below a height at which a patient is positioned during a dialysis treatment.