Separable hemodialysis system
First Claim
1. A hemodialysis system which comprises:
- a dialysate handling unit for providing hemodialysis solution to the patient, comprising a hemodialysis solution pump and a hemodialysis solution safety monitoring apparatus;
a blood handling unit which comprises a membrane dialyzer holder, a blood pump, and equipment for safely handling blood as it is pumped from the patient, through a membrane dialyzer and back to the patient, said blood handling unit being carried on a moveable stand, separate and spaced from said dialysate handling unit;
a first conduit for conveying fresh dialysate from said dialysate handling unit to a membrane dialyzer in the blood handling unit, and a second conduit for conveying spent hemodialysis solution away from said blood handling unit;
said dialysate handling unit and said blood handling unit being movably separate from each other and free of any mechanical connection preventing them from being moveable in all directions relative to each other while hemodialysis is being performed, the dialysate handling unit being free of blood-contacting components and the blood handling unit being free of dialysis solution processing components other than said membrane dialyzer, said blood handling unit being positioned closer to a patient treatment site than to said dialyzate handling unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hemodialysis system comprises the following: a dialysate handling unit for providing dialysate to the patient. This unit comprises a hemodialysis solution pump and apparatus for monitoring hemodialysis solution safety such as a conductivity tester. Additionally a solution heater and appropriate conventional controls can be provided, as well as a proportioning system, an ultrafiltration measuring unit, and other known apparatus for handling dialysis solution. A blood handling unit is also provided, which comprises a membrane dialyzer and holder, a blood pump, blood flow tubing and safety equipment for monitoring blood flow as it is pumped through the arterial/venous blood conduit set tubing from the patient, through the membrane dialyzer, and back to the patient. A first conduit is present for conveying fresh dialysate from the dialysate handling unit to the blood handling unit (or directly to the membrane dialyzer). A second conduit is provided for conveying spent hemodialysis solution away from the blood handling unit. By this invention, the dialysate handling unit and the blood handling unit are separate from and movable relative to each other while the hemodialysis is being performed. Significant economic and functional advantages can be achieved.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A hemodialysis system which comprises:
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a dialysate handling unit for providing hemodialysis solution to the patient, comprising a hemodialysis solution pump and a hemodialysis solution safety monitoring apparatus; a blood handling unit which comprises a membrane dialyzer holder, a blood pump, and equipment for safely handling blood as it is pumped from the patient, through a membrane dialyzer and back to the patient, said blood handling unit being carried on a moveable stand, separate and spaced from said dialysate handling unit; a first conduit for conveying fresh dialysate from said dialysate handling unit to a membrane dialyzer in the blood handling unit, and a second conduit for conveying spent hemodialysis solution away from said blood handling unit; said dialysate handling unit and said blood handling unit being movably separate from each other and free of any mechanical connection preventing them from being moveable in all directions relative to each other while hemodialysis is being performed, the dialysate handling unit being free of blood-contacting components and the blood handling unit being free of dialysis solution processing components other than said membrane dialyzer, said blood handling unit being positioned closer to a patient treatment site than to said dialyzate handling unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A hemodialysis system which comprises:
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a dialysate handling unit for providing dialysate to a patient, comprising a hemodialysis solution pump and hemodialysis solution safety monitoring apparatus; a blood handling unit which comprises a membrane dialyzer holder carrying a membrane dialyzer, a blood pump, and equipment for safely handling blood as it is pumped from the patient, through a membrane dialyzer in the holder, and back to the patient, said blood pump comprising a rotor and a U-shaped track containing a portion of blood tubing as part of said equipment for safely handling blood, said U-shaped track being in a form of an upright U, one end of the blood tubing in said U-shaped track connecting directly to said membrane dialyzer, the other end of the blood tubing in said track being directly connected to a bubble trap, said bubble trap being also connected to a blood conduit which communicates with a connector for an access device to the patient, said blood handling unit being carried on a moveable stand, separate and spaced from said dialysate handling unit; a first conduit for conveying fresh dialysate from said dialysate handling unit to a membrane dialyzer in the blood handling unit, and a second conduit for conveying spent dialysate away from the blood handling unit;
said dialysate handling unit and the blood handling unit being movably separate from each other and free of any mechanical connection preventing them from being moveable in all directions relative to each other while hemodialysis is being performed, the dialysate handling unit being free of blood-contacting components and the blood handling unit being free of dialysate solution processing components other than the membrane dialyzer, said blood conduit being shorter than said first conduit, said blood handling unit being positioned closer to a patient treatment site than to said dialyzate handling unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A hemodialysis system which comprises:
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a dialysate handling unit for providing hemodialysis solution to the patient, comprising a hemodialysis solution pump and hemodialysis solution safety monitoring equipment; a blood handling unit which comprises a membrane dialyzer holder, a blood pump, and equipment for safely handling blood as it is pumped from the patient, through a membrane dialyzer, and back to the patient, said blood handling unit being carried on a moveable stand, separate and spaced from said dialysate handling unit; a first conduit for conveying fresh dialysate from said dialysate handling unit to a membrane dialyzer in the blood handling unit, and a second conduit for conveying spent hemodialysis solution away from said blood handling unit; said dialysate handling unit and said blood handling unit being movably separate from each other and free from any mechanical connection preventing them from being moveable in all directions relative to each other while hemodialysis is being performed, said dialysate handling unit carrying an electronic system for powering and controlling all system functions of blood handling and dialysate handling, and a cable communicating between said electronic system and said blood handling unit to provide power and control from said electronic system to the blood pump and any other electrically operated components of said blood handling unit, said blood handling unit being positioned closer to a patient treatment site than to said dialyzate handling unit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A hemodialysis system which comprises:
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a dialyzate handling unit for providing hemodialysis solution to the patient; a blood handling unit which comprises a membrane dialyzer holder and equipment for safely handling blood as it passes from the patient, through a membrane dialyzer, and back to the patient, said blood handling unit being carried on a movable stand, separate from said dialyzate handling unit; a first conduit for conveying fresh dialyzate from said dialyzate handling unit to a membrane dialyzer in the blood handling unit, and a second conduit for conveying spent hemodialysis solution away from said blood handling unit; said dialyzate handling unit and said blood handling unit being spaced and movably separate from each other and free of any mechanical connection preventing them from being movable in all directions relative to each other while hemodialysis is being performed, the dialyzate handling unit being free of blood-contacting components and the blood handling unit being free of dialysis solution processing components other than said membrane dialyzer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification