Artificial kidney with disposable dialysis liquid circuit

• US 4,617,115 A
• Filed: 07/27/1983
• Issued: 10/14/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hospal Industrie
• Original Assignee: Hospal Industrie
• Inventors: Vantard, Georges
• Primary Examiner(s): SPEAR JR, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US06/517,805
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 210/321.1, 210/321.2, 210/321.3, 210/89, 210/90, 210/96.2, 210/85
• US Class Current: 210/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1607 before use, i.e. upstream of dialyser
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1637 containing the whole volume of dialysis fluid used during a treatment session
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1639 linked by membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3324 PH measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site

Abstract

An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser connected to a dialysis liquid circuit has the dialysis liquid circuit designed and simplified so as to be entirely disposable. Preferably, the haemodialyser and also all the circuits for the blood, for the dialysis liquid and for removing the ultrafiltrate are disposable. They can be delivered in a disposable container which can, during treatment, be used as a support and as a dialysis liquid reservoir. A small console includes the re-usable means for controlling and checking the artificial kidney, together with their electric circuits.

Claims

1. In an artificial kidney comprising:

(a) a haemodialyser divided up into first and second compartments by a membrane making it possible to treat blood by dialysis and by ultrafiltration whereby the blood passes through the first compartment and the dialysis liquid passes through the second compartment,

(b) hydraulic circuit means for causing the treated blood to flow in the first compartment,

(c) hydraulic circuit means for preparing the dialysis liquid, storing it and causing it to flow in the second compartment,

(d) hydraulic circuit means for removing and measuring amounts of liquid equal to the desired amounts of ultrafiltrate, and

(e) means for controlling and checking the means (b) and (c), the controling and checking means being re-usable and grouped together on a console capable of being connected to an electricity supply, the improvement wherein the circulation pump corresponding to said hydraulic circuit means (c) is disposed upstream of the dialyzer and an automatic regulation device maintains at any time within the dialyzer the pressure of the dialysis liquid between the atmospheric pressure and the blood pressure, and furthermore wherein the dialysis liquid hydraulic circuit means (c) and the liquid removing and measuring hydraulic circuit means (d) are designed, manufactured and assembled as a disposable items.

2. An artificial kidney according to claim 1, wherein said dialysis liquid preparation and storage hydraulic circuit means (c) comprise a disposable cartridge of a calibrated total amount of dialysis concentrate, and said disposable cartridge is capable of being connected to a supply of running water.

3. An artificial kidney according to claim 1, wherein said disposable dialysis liquid hydraulic circuit means and said liquid removing and measuring hydraulic circuit means are connected to the haemodialyser beforehand and forms, with the latter, a sterile unit in a leaktight pack and ready to use.

4. An artificial kidney according to claim 3, wherein said sterile unit required for a haemodialysis session can be positioned and delivered inside a container which is intended to contain, without substantial deformation, the volume of dialysis liquid required for a treatment.

5. An artificial kidney according to claim 3, wherein the container is constructed from a thermally-insulating material.

6. An artificial kidney according to claim 1, wherein said dialysis preparation and storage hydraulic circuit means (c) comprise a 3-way tap capable of connecting, in pairs, in three different combinations, a liquid mixture introducing tube capable of supplying the dialysis liquid, a zone for storing dialysis liquid, and a pump for circulating the said dialysis liquid.

7. An artificial kidney according to claim 1, wherein said dialysis preparation and storage hydraulic circuit means (c) comprise, downstream of the said second compartment of the haemodialyser:

a tank open to the atmosphere, said tank being provided with a float, means capable of shutoff control of the tube connecting it to the outlet orifice for the dialysis liquid in the direction of the haemodialyser; and

a tube connecting the bottom of the tank to the container.

8. An artificial kidney according to claim 7, wherein said liquid removing and measuring hydraulic circuit means comprise means for removing the liquid contained in said tank, and means for measuring the volume of the liquid removed in this way.