System for the preparation of a fluid concentrate intended for medical use

• US 5,348,389 A
• Filed: 10/26/1992
• Issued: 09/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gambro AB (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Jonsson, Lennart, Knutsson, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Simone, Timothy F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Randall E.
• Application Number:
  US07/966,686
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 366/136, 366/137, 366/159, 366/160, 366/167, 604/4, 604/6
• US Class Current: 366/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1666 by dissolving solids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/30 Workflow diagrams or layout of plants, e.g. flow charts; Details of workflow diagrams or layout of plants, e.g. controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/4021 in the form of tablets stored in containers, canisters or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/56 by introducing solids in liquids, e.g. dispersing or dissolving
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/59 Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/51 in which the mixture is circulated through a set of tubes, e.g. with gradual introduction of a component into the circulating flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/53 in which the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle through a recirculation tube, into which an additional component is introduced
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/2133 Electrical conductivity or dielectric constant of the mixture
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/82 by adding a material to be mixed to a mixture in response to a detected feature, e.g. density, radioactivity, consumed power or colour

Abstract

Apparatus for the preparation of fluids intended for medical use is disclosed, including a source of pure water and at least one cartridge or other vessel containing a powder which is to be dissolved in the water for preparation of the desired fluid. The apparatus includes a container such that the water and a powder or powder concentrate can be mixed and a concentrate provided in the container, and a recirculation circuit for recirculation of the water or concentrate solution into the container for further mixing of the water and powder or powder concentrate to prepare a concentrate having a predetermined concentration.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the preparation of a concentrate solution for use as a medical solution from water and undissolved powder comprising water supply means for supplying said water, dissolution means for dissolving said undissolved powder in said water, said dissolution means comprising a container initially retaining a predetermined amount of said undissolved powder therein whereby said water supply means is adapted to supply said water to said container and at least a portion of said predetermined amount of undissolved powder can be initially dissolved in said water so as to provide a partially prepared concentrate solution in said container, withdrawal means for withdrawing said partially prepared concentrate solution from said container, and recirculation means including pump means for recirculating said partially prepared concentrate solution in a recirculating path including said container for further dissolution of said predetermined amount of undissolved powder until all of said predetermined amount of undissolved powder becomes dissolved in said partially prepared concentrate solution to further concentrate said partially prepared concentrate solution to a predetermined final concentration, said recirculation means further including at least one conduit for providing a flow path for said concentrate solution during said recirculation, said at least one conduit being connected between said pump means and said container so as to form said recirculation path therebetween, and connector means arranged between said container and said at least one conduit for permitting said container to be selectively connected and disconnected from said at least one conduit whereby said container is adapted to be subsequently connected to a medical treatment apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including acid supply means for supplying acid to said recirculation means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said acid supply means includes acid storage means for storing said acid, and acid pump means for pumping said acid from said acid storage means to said recirculation means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recirculation means includes sterile filter means for filtering at least said partially prepared concentrate solution before said partially prepared concentrate solution enters said container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector means includes at least one quick release connector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container comprises flexible bag means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flexible bag means comprises plastic.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising concentration determination means for determining the concentration of said partially prepared and final concentrate solution in said at least one conduit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said concentration determination means comprises conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of said partially prepared and final concentrate solution.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recirculation means comprises heating means for heating said concentrate solution to facilitate dissolution of said undissolved powder therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising concentration determination means for determining the concentration of said partially prepared and final concentrate solution in said at least one conduit.