Apparatus for supplying a batch of chemicals to a dialysate tank

• US 5,690,821 A
• Filed: 11/17/1995
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• 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., Kenley, Rodney S., Pawlak, Kenneth E., Peter, Frederick H. Jr., Feldsein, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, SUN U
• Application Number:
  US08/560,305
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 422/261, 422/281, 210/647, 210/646, 210/137, 210/321.71, 210/195.1, 210/195.2, 210/252
• US Class Current: 210/195.1
• 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
• 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 loading platform and chemical addition system are described for a machine that prepares a batch of dialysate. The loading platform is in fluid communication with a dialysate preparation tank, and receives chemical vessels that contain a batch quantity of dialysate chemicals. The chemicals are released from the vessels automatically and fall onto a shelf in the loading platform. Nozzles and spray equipment are provided for insuring the complete release of the chemicals from the vessels and their dispersion into the tank. Novel mixing techniques are implemented in the tank to insure complete mixing of the dialysate solution and prevention of settling of dialysate solution at the bottom of the tank.

Claims

1. A dialysate tank and mixing apparatus for preparation of a batch of dialysate solution, comprising:

a hollow, closed tank having an interior region and a top, sidewalls and a bottom;

a first inlet disposed at said bottom of said tank through which fluids are introduced into said tank, said inlet directing incoming water substantially tangential to said sidewalls of said tank so as to create a vortex in said tank;

spray means suspended above said bottom of said tank within said interior region of said tank for spraying fluids within said tank, said spray means spraying said fluids in the same direction as water is introduced into said tank through said inlet;

said water inlet and said spray means cooperating to mix said fluids within said tank and prevent settling of dialysate chemicals at said bottom of said tank;

a recirculation loop comprising an outlet at the bottom of said tank, a second inlet at the top of said tank, and fluid circuitry connecting said outlet with said second inlet for circulation of fluid from said bottom of said tank to said top of said tank, with said spray means in fluid communication with said fluid circuitry, said recirculation loop cooperating with said water inlet and said spray means in promoting mixing of said dialysate solution in said tank; and

a dialysate chemical addition system in communication with said tank, said chemical addition system comprising a housing having an exterior surface and an interior region and a chemical receiving port in said exterior surface, and a mounting means on the exterior or said housing in registry with said chemical receiving port for receiving a bottle containing batch dialysate chemicals and further comprising an opening means for opening said bottle to release said chemicals, said chemical addition system further comprising a nozzle positioned between said mounting means and said chemical receiving port oriented such that fluids are sprayed from said nozzle into said bottle when said bottle is mounted to said mounting means and opened by said opening means.

2. A dialysate tank and mixing apparatus for preparation of a batch of dialysate solution, comprising:

a hollow, closed tank having an interior region and a top, sidewalls and a bottom;

a first inlet disposed at said bottom of said tank through which fluids are introduced into said tank, said inlet directing incoming water substantially tangential to said sidewalls of said tank so as to create a vortex in said tank;

spray means suspended above said bottom of said tank within said interior region of said tank for spraying fluids within said tank, said spray means spraying said fluids in the same direction as water is introduced into said tank through said inlet;

said water inlet and said spray means cooperating to mix said fluids within said tank and prevent settling of dialysate chemicals at said bottom of said tank;

a recirculation loop comprising an outlet at the bottom of said tank, a second inlet at the top of said tank, and fluid circuitry connecting said outlet with said second inlet for circulation of fluid from said bottom of said tank to said top of said tank, with said spray means in fluid communication with said fluid circuitry, said recirculation loop cooperating with said water inlet and said spray means in promoting mixing of said dialysate solution in said tank; and

a chemical loading platform in communication with said tank having a housing and a chemical receiving port, said housing having a lower shelf, wherein dialysate chemicals may be introduced into said housing through said chemical receiving port and deposited on said shelf;

said chemical loading platform further comprising a second spray means for washing chemicals from said shelf into said tank after said chemicals have been temporarily deposited on said shelf, thereby promoting complete dissolution of said dialysate chemicals in said tank.

3. The tank of claim 2, wherein said tank is made from polypropylene reinforced with fiberglass would on the exterior of said tank.