Dialysis apparatus

• US 4,055,496 A
• Filed: 02/18/1975
• Issued: 10/25/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Medical Care, Inc. (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: National Medical Care, Inc. (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: MacNeill, Robert L., Friedrich, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spear, Jr., Frank A.
• Application Number:
  US05/550,169
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 210/22, 210/321 B, 210/195 R, 210/87, 210/94
• US Class Current: 210/87
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1601 Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1657 with centralised supply of dialysate or constituent thereof for more than one dialysis unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1694 with recirculating dialysing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper 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 shunt tube so that a single housing can be used to provide two entirely different modes of operation as selected. A clear canister 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.

Claims

1. 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 opening in said canister for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer therein,

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

a first shunt dialysate conduit connected to said flow conduit at a first point intermediate said canister opening and said first inlet,

said shunt dialysate conduit terminating at a first shunt connector,

a second shunt connector spaced from said first shunt connector,

a second shunt dialysis conduit leading from said second shunt connector to a second point for passing dialysate to said canister,

said second shunt dialysate conduit having a negative pressure pump and means for adjusting the value of negative pressure produced by said pump.

2. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a pressure relief valve means mounted in said dialysate flow conduit intermediate said first point and said canister for permitting through flow of dialysate from said first inlet upon buildup of pressure in said dialysate flow conduit above a predetermined value,

said second point being located in said dialysate flow conduit,

and said second shunt dialysate conduit having first and second branches intermediate ends thereof with one branch carrying a negative pressure pump and the second branch carrying said means for adjusting the value of negative pressure.

3. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising a flow meter and flow adjusting valve in said first conduit positioned between said first point and said first inlet.

4. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising said first and second shunt connectors being self-sealing, quick release, conduit connectors.

5. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising said dialysate canister being formed of a see-through material.

6. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising a shunt tube interconnecting said first and second shunt connectors,

and a single pass recirculating artificial kidney dialyzer mounted in said canister mounting opening.

7. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising a single pass kidney dialyzer interconnected between said first and second shunt connectors to allow passage of dialysate therethrough.

8. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising,

said overflow means being mounted in said canister for predetermining a level of dialysate therein and comprising an upwardly extending pipe connected to a drain.

9. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising,

said overflow means mounted in said canister for predetermining a level of dialysate therein and comprising an upwardly extending pipe connected to a drain,

said dialysate canister being formed of a see-through material,

said first and second shunt connectors being self-sealing, quick release, conduit connectors,

and a flow meter and a flow adjusting valve positioned in said first conduit between said first point and said first inlet.

10. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 9 and further comprising a drain conduit having a first portion thereof interconnected with an outlet of said recirculating pump means,

said drain conduit carrying a drain valve,

a drain connector interconnected with said drain conduit intermediate said recirculating pump and said drain valve.

11. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and further comprising means for permitting selective actuation of said recirulating pump means and said negative pressure pump.

14. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising said dialysate canister being formed of a see-through material.

15. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 14 and further comprising said second point permitting dialysate flow to said recirculating pump means.

12. 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 opening in said canister for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer therein,

recirculating pump means having a conduit interconnecting one portion of said canister with a kidney dialyzer for permitting dialysate recirculation therethrough whereby said pump means can pump a minor amount of fresh dialysate from said outlet opening and a major amount of dialysate directly from said canister,

a first shunt dialysate conduit connected to said flow conduit at a first point intermediate said canister opening and said first inlet,

said shunt dialysate conduit terminating at a first shunt connector,

a second shunt connector spaced from the first shunt connector,

a second shunt dialysate conduit leading from said second shunt connector to a drain with said second shunt dialysate conduit having a negative pressure pump and means for adjusting the value of negative pressure produced by said pump.

13. A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 12 and further comprising said canister having a see-through construction to enable detection of blood leaks,

and said second shunt dialysate conduit leading from said second shunt connector being interconnected with said canister before said drain.