Method for testing a filter in a dialysis system
First Claim
1. A method for testing at least one filter arranged in a dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, the filter being divided by a germ-retaining membrane into a first chamber and a second chamber, the method comprising steps of:
- filling at least one branch of the dialysis solution system with an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution fully wetting the germ-retaining membrane of the filter,sealing off the one branch of the dialysis solution system from remaining branches of the dialysis solution system, wherein the one branch houses the first chamber of the filter,conducting gas into the one branch of the dialysis solution system housing the first chamber to expel fluid through the germ-retaining membrane of the filter,shutting off the supply of gas once a predetermined pressure is formed in the first chamber, andmonitoring a rate of change of pressure in the first chamber of the filter to provide information on membrane integrity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for testing filters arranged in the dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is described, in which the filter membrane being tested is fully wetted with an aqueous solution, in which the branch of the dialysis solution system housing one of the two chambers of the filter being tested is closed off from the remaining branches, in which gas is conducted into the closed-off branch until a predetermined excess pressure has formed in the one chamber of the filter being tested. Simultaneously, the aqueous solution previously conducted into the chamber to fully wet the filter membrane is expelled. The excess pressure in the one chamber of the filter is monitored, in which the pressure drop per unit time is compared with a given reference value which is characteristic of a fully intact filter membrane. If the reference value is exceeded, this provides and indication of a leak in the filter membrane. Further, a dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is described which comprises at least one filter (16, 35) and a means (21) for closing off a branch of the dialysis solution system housing one of the two chambers (18, 37) of the filter (16, 35) from the remaining branches of the dialysis solution system. The dialysis solution system also includes an air pump (42) for conducting air through at least one hydrophobic filter (43) in the closed-off branch of the dialysis solution system. Moreover, a monitoring device (56) is provided which compares the pressure drop value measured by a pressure sensor (54) and signals a leak in the filter membrane being tested if the given reference value is exceeded.
180 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for testing at least one filter arranged in a dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, the filter being divided by a germ-retaining membrane into a first chamber and a second chamber, the method comprising steps of:
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filling at least one branch of the dialysis solution system with an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution fully wetting the germ-retaining membrane of the filter, sealing off the one branch of the dialysis solution system from remaining branches of the dialysis solution system, wherein the one branch houses the first chamber of the filter, conducting gas into the one branch of the dialysis solution system housing the first chamber to expel fluid through the germ-retaining membrane of the filter, shutting off the supply of gas once a predetermined pressure is formed in the first chamber, and monitoring a rate of change of pressure in the first chamber of the filter to provide information on membrane integrity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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5. A dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus containing at least one filter (16, 35) that is divided by a germ-retaining membrane (17, 36) into a first chamber (15, 34) and a second chamber (18, 37), the dialysis solution system comprising:
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means (23) for conveying an aqueous solution into at least one branch of the dialysis solution system while membrane (17,
36) of the filter or filters (16,
35) being tested is fully wetted,means (21) for closing off a branch of the dialysis solution system housing one of the two chambers (18,
37) of the filter or filters (16,
35) from remaining branches of the dialysis solution system,means (42) for conducting a gas into the branch of the dialysis solution system housing the one chamber (18,
34) of the filter or filters (16,
35), while fluid is expelled through the membrane (17,
36) of the filter or filters (16,
35), anda monitoring device (56) for monitoring a rate of change of pressure in the one chamber (18,
34) of the filter or filters (16,
35). - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 12)
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13. A method for testing a filter in a dialysis section of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, the filter being divided by a germ-retaining membrane into a first chamber and a second chamber, the method comprising steps of:
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filling the first chamber with dialysis solution through a branch of the dialysis solution system to fully wet the germ-retaining membrane; sealing off the branch and the first chamber from remaining branches of the dialysis solution system; pumping hydrophobically filtered ambient air into the branch to expel dialysis solution through the germ-retaining membrane; shutting off the pumping of the hydrophobicaly filtered ambient air once a predetermined pressure is formed in the first chamber; monitoring a chamber pressure in the first chamber to determine a pressure rate of change; comparing the pressure rate of change against a reference value; and indicating a filter problem if the pressure rate of change exceeds the reference value.
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14. A dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, the dialysis solution system comprising:
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a filter divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a germ-retaining membrane; a first conduit for conveying dialysis solution into the first chamber to fully wet the germ-retaining membrane; a valve configured to selectively seal a branch of the dialysis solution system including the first chamber from a remaining branch of the dialysis solution system; a pump configured to conduct ambient air through a hydrophobic filter to the branch of the dialysis solution system to expel dialysis solution through the germ-retaining membrane; and a pressure monitoring device coupled to the branch of the dialysis solution system, the pressure monitoring device capable of monitoring the pressure in the first chamber of the filter.
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Specification