Method and apparatus for supplying concentrate for use in medical treatments
First Claim
1. Apparatus for the supply of concentrate to be used for medical treatment purposes comprising means for enabling substantially easy sterilization and/or disinfection of low percolation filters when and/or where said concentrate favors bacterial growth, including, a concentrate filter, said concentrate filter including an inlet side and an outlet side separated by membrane means, inlet conduit means for supplying said concentrate to said inlet side of said concentrate filter during normal use of said concentrate filter and for supplying a cleaning fluid to said inlet side of said concentrate filter during cleaning of said concentrate filter, outlet conduit means for withdrawing said filtered concentrate from said outlet side of said concentrate filter during normal use of said concentrate filter and for withdrawing a first portion of said cleaning fluid from said outlet said of said concentrate filter during cleaning of said concentrate filter, and cleaning fluid withdrawal means connected to said inlet side of said concentrate filter, said cleaning fluid withdrawal means including valve means selected to enable said cleaning fluid withdrawal means to be closed during normal use of said concentrate filter and opened in order to flush a second portion of cleaning fluid through said concentrate filter during cleaning of said concentrate filter.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for the supply of concentrate for use in medical treatment processes is disclosed, including a concentrate filter including a membrane, an inlet conduit for supplying concentrate to the inlet side of the concentrate filter during normal use and for supplying cleaning fluid to the inlet side of the concentrate filter during cleaning, an outlet conduit for withdrawing the filtered concentrate or a portion of the cleaning fluid from the outlet side of the concentrate filter, and a cleaning fluid withdrawal conduit connected to the inlet side of the concentrate filter and including a valve so that it can be closed during normal use of the concentrate filter and opened during cleaning of the concentrate filter in order to flush a portion of the cleaning fluid through the concentrate filter. Methods for supplying concentrate to be used for medical treatment purposes are also disclosed.
49 Citations
25 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for the supply of concentrate to be used for medical treatment purposes comprising means for enabling substantially easy sterilization and/or disinfection of low percolation filters when and/or where said concentrate favors bacterial growth, including, a concentrate filter, said concentrate filter including an inlet side and an outlet side separated by membrane means, inlet conduit means for supplying said concentrate to said inlet side of said concentrate filter during normal use of said concentrate filter and for supplying a cleaning fluid to said inlet side of said concentrate filter during cleaning of said concentrate filter, outlet conduit means for withdrawing said filtered concentrate from said outlet side of said concentrate filter during normal use of said concentrate filter and for withdrawing a first portion of said cleaning fluid from said outlet said of said concentrate filter during cleaning of said concentrate filter, and cleaning fluid withdrawal means connected to said inlet side of said concentrate filter, said cleaning fluid withdrawal means including valve means selected to enable said cleaning fluid withdrawal means to be closed during normal use of said concentrate filter and opened in order to flush a second portion of cleaning fluid through said concentrate filter during cleaning of said concentrate filter.
- 16. A method for supplying concentrate to be used for medical treatment purposes comprising enabling easy sterilization and/or disinfection of low percolation filters when and/or where aid concentrate favors bacterial growth, by, supplying said concentrate to the inlet side of a concentrate filter, withdrawing said filtered concentrate from the outlet side of said concentrate filter, intermittently terminating the supply of said concentrate to said inlet side of said concentrate filter and supplying cleaning fluid to said inlet side of said concentrate filter so as to clean said concentrate filter, withdrawing a first portion of said cleaning fluid from said outlet side of said concentrate filter, and withdrawing a second portion of said cleaning fluid from said inlet side of said concentrate filter so as to simultaneously flush said inlet side and said outlet side of said concentrate filter with said cleaning fluid during said cleaning of said concentrate filter.
Specification