System and a method for detecting fiber damage in a dialyzer

• US 6,766,259 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Padgett, William Brandon, Cameron, Michael E., Kesler, Ralph Steven, Horton, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, JOHN H
• Application Number:
  US10/208,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20040019438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33-36, 702/39, 702/42, 702/43, 702/56, 702/51, 702/75-77, 702/103, 702/109, 702/110-116, 702/170, 702/171, 702/179, 702/180, 73/38, 73/40, 73/485.A, 73/492, 738/659, 250/338.5, 356/51, 374/5, 374/131, 134/18, 137/340, 210/85, 210/143, 210/86, 210/87, 210/646, 210/739, 210/741, 604/4.01, 604/99.01, 604/6.05
• US Class Current: 702/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1627 Dialyser of the inside perfusion type, i.e. blood flow inside hollow membrane fibres or tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/362 by gas flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/705 Testing of filters for leaks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/243 Dialysis
• 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: G01N 25/72 Investigating presence of flaws

Abstract

A system and a method are provided for detecting fiber damage in a dialyzer. The system may have a device which may transmit a gas into an interior of a fiber within a dialyzer. The temperature of the gas may be different than a temperature of the dialyzer. A thermal imaging camera may detect a temperature difference at a surface of the fiber where the gas may be escaping. The thermal imaging camera may be connected to a monitor which enables a user to view a location of the difference in temperature. As a result, the user may locate the damaged area of the fiber. The user may then repair the damaged area.

Claims

1. A method for detecting fiber damage in a dialyzer having a body defining an interior and further having a fiber having an interior wherein the fiber is within the interior of the dialyzer and wherein the fiber has a damaged area, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a gas into the interior of the fiber wherein the gas is at a temperature different from a temperature of the dialyzer and wherein the gas exits the fiber through the damaged area; and

detecting a difference in temperature between a temperature of a surface of the fiber where the gas is exiting the damaged area and the temperature of the dialyzer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

displaying the difference in temperature on a monitor.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

heating the dialyzer prior to transmitting the gas into the interior of the dialyzer.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

cooling the dialyzer prior to transmitting the gas into the interior of the dialyzer.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

directing a laser toward the location of the damaged area.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

recording the location of the damaged area of the dialyzer.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

controlling the gas transmitted into the interior of the fiber.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

moving the dialyzer to locate the difference in temperature.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

indexing the location of the damaged area.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

repairing the damaged area.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

sealing the fiber.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

contacting the damaged area with a heated tip.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

varying the temperature of the gas.

14. A system for detecting a damaged area, the system comprising:

a dialyzer having an interior and further having a fiber within the interior wherein the fiber is defined by an interior and wherein the fiber has a damaged area through which a gas may escape;

a heater which transmits the gas into the interior of the fiber; and

a thermal imaging camera which detects a difference in temperature between a temperature at a surface of the fiber where the gas is exiting the damaged area and a temperature of the dialyzer.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a monitor connected to the thermal imaging camera.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a heat sink adjacent to the dialyzer.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a positioning apparatus for moving the dialyzer adjacent to the thermal imaging camera.

18. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a laser adjacent to the thermal imaging camera wherein the laser indicates the location of the damaged area.

19. A method for determining a location of a damaged area of a dialyzer, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a temperature change in an interior of the dialyzer;

viewing a location of the temperature change; and

assigning a coordinate to the location of the change in temperature.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:

indexing the coordinate.