Dialysis apparatus

• US 4,026,800 A
• Filed: 09/30/1974
• Issued: 05/31/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Medical Care, Inc. (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: National Medical Care, Inc. (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: MacNeill, Robert L., Friedrich, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spear, Jr., Frank A.
• Application Number:
  US05/510,586
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 210/22, 210/321, 210/87, 210/130, 210/197
• US Class Current: 210/87
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1605 Physical characteristics of the dialysate fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1694 with recirculating dialysing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3386 Low level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/28 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/104 Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules

Abstract

A dialysis module for use with a variety of single pass or single pass-recirculating artificial kidney dialyzers as desired. The apparatus has quick disconnects to allow attachment of a single pass kidney dialyzer or blocking off of a portion of a fluid conduit when a coil dialyzer is used so that a single housing can be used to provide two entirely different modes of operation as selected. A clear canister preferably forms a part of the dialysis flow path in both modes of operation to enable rapid detection of blood leaks in either mode of operation. An aspirator is associated with a recirculating pump to provide negative pressure to dialysate in the flow path when a single pass dialyzer is used while only the recirculating pump is necessary during single pass-recirculating dialysis.

Claims

1. In a dialysis apparatus having a dialysate flow path comprising a first point and a second point, a dialysate recirculating pump in said path for circulating dialysate in said apparatus,

the improvement comprising,

a venturi means operatively interconnected with said pump and powered by said pump, with said venturi means being positioned at the first point in said flow path,

said venturi means providing a negative pressure to cause desired flow of dialysate and reduced pressure in the dialysate at the second point in said flow path.

2. The improvement of claim 1 and further comprising said venturi means comprising a restricted passageway adjacent an outlet of said recirculating pump,

an aspirator passageway opening into said restricted passageway and means for adjusting the negative pressure provided to said dialysate to cause reduced pressure and desired flow thereof through a single pass dialyzer.

3. The improvement of claim 1 and further comprising,

means for adjusting said negative pressure,

said means for adjusting comprising a flow restricting regulating valve and a passageway connected to said flow path.

4. A dialysis conversion system for converting a conventional single pass-recirculating coil dialysis apparatus for use with a single pass dialyzer,

said conversion apparatus comprising a venturi means having connection means for connection with a recirculating pump carried in said coil dialysis apparatus,

said venturi means being interconnected with conduiting to pressure regulating means and dialysate inlet means having means for connection of a single pass dialyzer therein so that said venturi means acts to provide negative pressure to cause desired flow and reduced pressure in dialysate passing through said dialyzer.

5. A dialysis apparatus for selective use with single pass or single pass-recirculating artificial kidney dialyzers to provide for dialysate flow,

said apparatus comprising,

a housing,

a dialysate canister open to the atmosphere and carrying a dialysate overflow means for limiting a level of dialysate in said canister,

a dialysate flow conduit having a first inlet for connection to a source of fresh dialysate and an outlet opening for passing dialysate to said canister,

a mounting in said canister for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer therein,

recirculating pump means having a conduit interconnecting one portion of the canister with a second portion at said mounting for permitting dialysate recirculation therethrough,

aspirator means interconnected with said recirculating pump means,

said aspirator means being connected to a shunt passageway leading to a first shunt connector,

a second shunt connector interconnected with said first-mentioned flow conduit,

whereby operation of said recirculating pump provides negative pressure to dialysate in said shunt conduit when a single pass dialyzer is interconnected between said shunt connectors yet allows recirculation of dialysate in said canister when fluid flow through said second shunt conduit is blocked off while fluid flow through said first-mentioned flow conduit occurs.

6. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first and second shunt connectors are quick disconnect connectors.

7. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said shunt passageway has a negative pressure regulating conduit attached to a node thereof with a pressure regulating valve located in said pressure regulating conduit,

whereby said valve permits adjustment of negative pressure produced by said aspirator means.

8. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising said pressure regulating conduit opening to a portion of said dialysis apparatus carrying dialysate.

9. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said aspirator means is interconnected with said recirculating pump at the outlet thereof before said mounting for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer.

10. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said canister is a transparent canister allowing detection of blood leaks to dialysate contained therein.

11. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said canister is a transparent canister allowing detection of blood leaks to dialysate contained therein.

12. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein, said dialysate flow conduit carries a flow meter and pressure relief valve therein and said second shunt connector is connected to said flow conduit at a point intermediate said pressure relief valve and said first inlet.