Batch dialysate chemical vessel with machine-readable indicator

• US 5,658,456 A
• Filed: 11/17/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aksys Ltd.
• Inventors: Treu, Dennis M., Walker, Donald C., Kenley, Rodney S., Wilkerson, Douglas L., Matthews, Dawn
• Primary Examiner(s): Reifsnyder, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/559,148
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 210/85, 210/97, 210/147, 210/143, 210/252, 210/195.2, 210/646, 215/200, 215/DIG. 3, 215/DIG. 4, 235/375, 235/435, 235/448, 235/449, 235/462, 222/462, 222/63, 222/129, 222/135
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• 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 1/1609 after use, i.e. downstream of dialyser
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1649 with pulsatile dialysis fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/165 with a dialyser bypass on the dialysis fluid line
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1658 Degasification
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/166 Heating for sterilisation A61M1/1686
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1662 with heat exchange between fresh and used dialysate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1666 by dissolving solids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1672 using membrane filters, e.g. for sterilising the dialysate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1682 both machine and membrane module, i.e. also the module blood side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1684 Checking the module characteristics before reuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1686 by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1688 with recirculation of the sterilising fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/169 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1692 Detection of blood traces in dialysate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1694 : with recirculating dialysing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/288 : Priming priming in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3643
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3434 : with pre-dilution and post-dilution
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3437 : downstream of the filter, e.g. post-dilution with filtrate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3465 : using dialysate as substitution fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3468 : using treated filtrate as substitution fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3609 : Physical characteristics of the blood, e.g. haematocrit, urea
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3622 : with a cassette forming partially or totally the blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36224 : with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36226 : Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362263 : Details of incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3626 : Gas bubble detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 : Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3629 : degassing by changing pump speed, e.g. during priming
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3639 : Blood pressure control, pressure transducers specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3641 : Pressure isolators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3643 : Priming, rinsing before or after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3644 : Mode of operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3646 : Expelling the residual body fluid after use, e.g. back to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3647 : with recirculation of the priming solution
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3649 : using dialysate as priming or rinsing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/365 : through membranes, e.g. by inverted trans-membrane pressure [TMP]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 : with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 : Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 : with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 : with alarm
• 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 2205/3331 : Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 : Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 : Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3386 : Low level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 : Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 : Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/705 : Testing of filters for leaks blood in dialysate A61M1/1692
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/707 : Testing of filters for clogging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7554 : with means for unclogging or regenerating filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7581 : with means for switching over to a fresh filter on clogging or saturation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/11 : Laminar flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/65 : Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/16 : having provision for disinfection or sterilisation A61M39/143 takes precedence; methods or apparatus for disinfection or sterilisation A61L2/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/04 : Specific process operations in the feed stream; Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/10 : Temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/25 : Recirculation, recycling or bypass, e.g. recirculation of concentrate into the feed
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/2626 : Absorption or adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/04 : Backflushing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/16 : Use of chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/32 : By heating or pyrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/02 : Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 : Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/04 : Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 : Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/32 : Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/022 : Membrane sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/102 : Detection of leaks in membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/104 : Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 : by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/0453 : the member being a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/929 : Hemoultrafiltrate volume measurement or control processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/03 : Medical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7722 : Line condition change responsive valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7794 : With relief valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7796 : Senses inlet pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7799 : Liquid transfer

Abstract

A vessel storing a batch of chemicals for delivery into a dialysate preparation tank includes a machine readable indicator, permitting automatic identification of the contents of the vessel prior to operating the vessel and introduction of chemicals into a tank where the dialysate solution is mixed. Various types of machine-readable indicators may be used, such as, for example, "touch" memory buttons, bar codes, or magnetic strips. Suitable reading devices for the machine-readable indicators are provided for reading the contents of the bottle.

Claims

1. Apparatus, for use with a dialysis machine having a dialysate preparation module and a tank for storing a dialysate solution, for performing automatic verification of dialysate chemicals prior to adding said chemicals to said dialysate preparation module so as to insure correct preparation of said dialysate solution, comprising:

an electronic reader of a machine-readable indicator, said electronic reader incorporated into said dialysis machine;

a bottle containing a unit batch of dialysate chemicals for treatment of a medical condition of a patient to be treated by said dialysis machine,

said bottle adapted to be installed on an opening apparatus in said machine such that, when said bottle is opened, said dialysate chemicals are placed in fluid communication with said tank for delivery of said unit batch of dialysate chemicals automatically into said tank; and

a machine-readable indicator containing coded information as to said dialysate chemicals contained in said bottle, said machine-readable indicator applied to said bottle in a manner for permitting machine identification of the contents of said bottle by said electronic reader prior to operating the opening apparatus to open said bottle and adding said dialysate chemicals to said tank,

whereby machine identification of said dialysate chemicals contained in said bottle may occur prior to introduction of said chemicals into said tank.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said unit batch of dialysate chemicals comprises chemicals for treating renal failure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottle further comprises an exterior surface and said machine-readable indicator comprises a touch button applied to said exterior surface of said bottle, said touch button positioned on the exterior surface of said bottle such that when said bottle is mounted to said opening apparatus, such touch button is placed in touching contact with said electronic reader.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said bottle further comprises a semicircular rim and a retaining bead securely retaining said touch button to said exterior surface of said bottle.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said bottle is removed from said chemical applicator after release of said dialysate chemicals from said bottle, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for automatically removing said touch button from said bottle during said removal of said bottle from said chemical applicator.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for automatically removing said touch button comprises a solenoid-actuated pawl.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottle comprises a polypropylene cap having an exterior surface with said cap engaging a bottle shell, wherein said bottle shell is made from polyethylene, and wherein said cap further comprises a threaded region applied to the exterior of said cap for mounting said bottle to said opening apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said machine-readable indicator comprises a bar code applied to the exterior surface of said bottle, said bar code positioned such that when said bottle is mounted to said opening apparatus, said bar code is oriented in alignment with said electronic reader.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said machine-readable indicator comprises a magnetic strip applied to said exterior surface of said bottle, said magnetic strip positioned such that when said bottle is mounted to said opening apparatus, said magnetic strip is oriented in alignment with said electronic reader.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said machine-readable indicator comprises a two or three dimensional matrix containing coded information.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said machine-readable indicator comprises a radio-frequency transmitter, said radio-frequency transmitter storing coded information as to said dialysate chemicals contained in said bottle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottle further comprises a seal made from polypropylene.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second bottle containing dialysate solution chemicals and having a second machine-readable identifier applied to the exterior surface thereof and containing coded information as to the contents of said second bottle, said second bottle adapted to be installed on a second opening apparatus in said machine for opening said second bottle and placing said dialysate solution chemicals contained in said second bottle in fluid communication with said tank, wherein said second opening apparatus is operative to open said second bottle only after said second electronic reader has read said second machine-readable identifier.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a third bottle containing a chemical selected from the group of chemicals comprising salts, cleaning agents, disinfecting agents, and nutritional supplements, a third machine-readable identifier applied to said third bottle and containing coded information as to the contents of said third bottle, a third electronic reader for said third machine-readable identifier, and a third opening apparatus receiving said third bottle and for opening said third bottle to place said chemical contained in said third bottle in fluid communication with said tank, said third opening apparatus operative to open said third bottle only after said third electronic reader has read said third machine-readable identifier.