Sorbent reactor for extracorporeal blood treatment systems, peritoneal dialysis systems, and other body fluid treatment systems

• US 7,169,303 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HemoCleanse Technologies LLC (HemoCleanse, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HemoCleanse Technologies LLC (HemoCleanse, Inc.)
• Inventors: Carr, David J., Ash, Stephen R., Sullivan, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Menon; Krishnan S.
• Application Number:
  US10/856,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20050006296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 210/321.63, 210/321.78, 210/321.87, 210/512.1, 210/512.3, 210/646, 210/226, 210/159, 210/208, 210/270, 210/271, 210/276, 210/280, 210/319, 210/332, 210/407, 210/297, 210/298, 210/305, 210/308, 210/309, 210/320, 210/383, 435/297.1, 435/297
• US Class Current: 210/321.63
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1696 with dialysate regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/262 rotating
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3472 with treatment of the filtrate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3493 using treatment agents in suspension
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3623 Means for actively controlling temperature of blood
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/302 with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/48 with magnetic or electric fields C02F1/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/486 using antenna
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/04 Oxidation reduction potential [ORP]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/066 Overpressure, high pressure

Abstract

Systems and methods for extracorporeal processing of blood or other body fluid for the treatment of conditions, such as sepsis, autoimmune disease, or toxemia related to kidney failure, liver failure, or drug overdose are provided. In an extracorporeal treatment system, a fraction of a body fluid is passed into a treatment fluid, at least a portion of which is then passed through a sorbent suspension reactor for treatment by a sorbent suspension. The treatment fluid circuit can be maintained at a fixed volume, which enables accurate fluid balance between the patient and the extracorporeal circuit. Some or all of the treatment fluid, optionally also containing nutrients and/or therapeutic agents, is returned to the patient. In a peritoneal dialysis system, dialysate is passed into a patient'"'"'s peritoneal cavity, recovered from the cavity, passed through a sorbent suspension reactor in accordance with the invention, and returned to the cavity.

Claims

1. An extracorporeal treatment system comprising:

a blood circuit including a first conduit for passing blood or other body fluid to a separation unit and a second conduit for passing the blood or other body fluid back to a patient, wherein the separation unit is configured to separate one or more components from the blood or body fluid into a treatment fluid; and

a treatment fluid circuit comprising, in series, an inflow line for passing the treatment fluid from the separation unit to a sorbent reactor and an outflow line for passing the treatment fluid from the sorbent reactor to the separation unit or to the second conduit;

wherein the sorbent reactor includes a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber configured to contain a liquid, a filter disposed in the interior chamber and partitioning the interior chamber into a first region and a second region, a sorbent suspension disposed in the first region, a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion, a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion and a rotor rotatably positioned in the first region;

wherein the inflow line is positioned to pass the treatment fluid into the first region; and

wherein the outflow line is positioned to pass the treatment fluid, after passage of the treatment fluid through the filter, from the second region to the separation unit or to the second conduit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region through an inlet filter.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the separation unit comprises a dialyzer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the separation unit is a hollow fiber membrane.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the separation unit comprises a plasma filtration device.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sorbent reactor includes a magnetic drive operable to rotate the rotor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of holes to allow passage of the treatment fluid to the outflow line.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid comprises plasma.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid comprises a dialysate.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotor is operable to move at least one paddle along a surface of the filter.

11. A body fluid treatment system comprising:

a first circuit for circulating a body fluid of a patient,

a second conduit including a treatment fluid flowing through a first conduit to a sorbent reactor, and a second conduit leading from the reactor; and

a separation membrane separating the first circuit from the second circuit, said membrane selected to allow a component of the body fluid to transfer therethrough to the second circuit;

wherein the sorbent reactor includes a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber configured to contain the treatment fluid, a filter disposed in the interior chamber and partitioning the interior chamber into a first region and a second region, a sorbent suspension disposed in the first region, a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion, a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion and a rotor rotatably positioned in the first region;

wherein the first conduit is positioned to pass the treatment fluid into the first region; and

wherein the second conduit is positioned to pass the treatment fluid, after passage of the treatment fluid through the filter, from the second region.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein body fluid comprises blood.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the separation membrane is a hollow fiber membrane, hemofiltration membrane, plasma filtration membrane, or a dialyzer membrane.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the second circuit includes a degasser.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the treatment fluid flows through the reactor in a first direction.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are configured to alternately allow the treatment fluid to flow through the reactor in a second direction opposite the first direction.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the sorbent has an average particle size of less than about 100 microns.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a fluid removal line connected to the second circuit.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a pump to remove excess treatment fluid through the fluid removal line.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the rotor is operable to move at least one paddle along a surface of the filter.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region through an inlet filter.

21. A method for the extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid or a portion thereof, comprising:

conveying a body fluid or a portion thereof to a separation device;

separating one or more body fluid components from the body fluid or the portion into a treatment fluid;

passing the treatment fluid through a sorbent reactor to treat the treatment fluid; and

reintroducing the components into the body fluid;

wherein the sorbent reactor includes a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber, a filter disposed in the interior chamber and partitioning the interior chamber into a first region and a second region, a sorbent suspension disposed in the first region, a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion, a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion and a rotor rotatably positioned in the first region;

wherein the treatment fluid passes into the sorbent reactor through an inlet configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region; and

wherein the treatment fluid passes out of the sorbent reactor through an outlet configured to pass the treatment fluid, after passage of the treatment fluid through the filter, out of the second region.

23. An apparatus for passing a treatment fluid in contact with a sorbent suspension to condition the treatment fluid, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical perforated sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber configured to contain a liquid, said housing having an inlet and an outlet;

a filter disposed within said housing and partitioning said interior chamber into an inner region and an outer region;

a sorbent suspension and a treatment fluid contained within said inner region;

a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion;

a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion; and

a rotor rotatably mounted in said inner region, said rotor configured to mix the sorbent suspension and the treatment fluid and effective to apply a shear force parallel to the filter;

wherein said inlet is positioned to pass the treatment fluid into the inner region;

wherein said outlet is positioned to pass the treatment fluid out of the outer region after passage of the treatment fluid through said filter;

wherein the treatment fluid is physiologically acceptable and compatible with blood; and

wherein the filter features pore sizes of from about 0.1 microns to about 2 microns.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising an inlet filter and wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region through said inlet filter.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the filter is a cylindrical filter.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 comprising a magnetic drive.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the filter is positioned on an inner surface of the perforated sidewall.

28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the first partition and the second partition each includes a plurality of vanes extending in a radial direction from the rotor.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 comprising a column containing an adsorbent therein and in fluid communication with the outlet to receive the treatment fluid.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the rotor comprises at least two blades extending radially therefrom.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the rotor is operable to move at least one paddle along a surface of the filter.

32. The system of claim 23, wherein the rotor is operable to maintain the sorbent suspension in the treatment fluid in the inner region as the treatment fluid is passed through the filter.

33. The system of claim 23, wherein:

said filter extends about said inner region and along said inner region between opposite ends of said inner region; and

said rotor includes at least one elongated paddle extending along said filter between opposite ends of said inner region.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said rotor includes a shaft extending between opposite ends of said inner region and said at least one paddle extends along and outwardly from said shaft.

35. A peritoneal dialysis system, comprising:

a treatment fluid circuit including a first conduit for passing treatment fluid to a patient'"'"'s peritoneal cavity and a second conduit for passing treatment fluid out of the patient'"'"'s peritoneal cavity; and

a sorbent reactor for treating the treatment fluid, the sorbent reactor including an inlet line in fluid communication with the second conduit and an outlet line in fluid communication with the first conduit;

wherein the sorbent reactor includes a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber, a filter disposed in the interior chamber and partitioning the interior chamber into a first region and a second region, a sorbent suspension disposed in the first region, a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion, a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion, and a rotor rotatably positioned in the interior chamber;

wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region; and

wherein the outlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid, after passage of the treatment fluid through the filter, from the second region to the first conduit.

36. The system in accordance with claim 35 wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region through an inlet filter.

37. The apparatus of claim 35 comprising a column containing a solid adsorbent therein and in fluid communication with the outlet to receive the treatment fluid.

38. A method for performing peritoneal dialysis, comprising:

introducing a treatment fluid into a patient'"'"'s peritoneal cavity;

recovering the treatment fluid from the peritoneal cavity;

after said recovering, passing the treatment fluid through a sorbent reactor; and

after said passing, reintroducing the treatment fluid into the peritoneal cavity;

wherein the sorbent reactor includes a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber, a filter disposed in the interior chamber and partitioning the interior chamber into a first region and a second region, a sorbent suspension disposed in the first region, a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion, a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion, and a rotor rotatably positioned in the interior chamber;

wherein the treatment fluid passes into the sorbent reactor through an inlet configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region; and

wherein the treatment fluid passes out of the sorbent reactor through an outlet configured to pass the treatment fluid, after passage of the treatment fluid through the filter, out of the second region.

39. The method in accordance with claim 38 wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region through an inlet filter.

40. An apparatus for passing a treatment fluid in contact with a sorbent suspension to condition the treatment fluid, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a first endwall portion, an opposite second endwall portion and cylindrical sidewall therebetween and defining an interior chamber configured to contain a liquid, said housing having an inlet and an outlet;

a filter disposed within said housing and partitioning said interior chamber into an inner region and an outer region;

a sorbent suspension contained within said inner region;

a first partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the first endwall portion to define a first shunt chamber between the first partition and the first endwall portion,

a second partition positioned in the inner region adjacent the second endwall portion to define a second shunt chamber between the second partition and the second endwall portion, and

a rotor rotatably mounted in said inner region, said rotor configured to urge the sorbent suspension through the first and second shunt chambers;

wherein said inlet is positioned to pass the treatment fluid into the inner region; and

wherein said outlet is positioned to pass the treatment fluid out of the outer region after passage of the treatment fluid through said filter.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the inlet is configured to pass the treatment fluid into the first region through an inlet filter.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 comprising a magnetic drive operable to rotate the rotor within the inner region.

43. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the filter is a cylindrical filter.

44. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the first partition and the second partition each includes a plurality of vanes extending in a radial direction from the rotor.

45. The apparatus of claim 40 comprising a column containing an adsorbent therein and in fluid communication with the outlet to receive the treatment fluid.

46. The system of claim 40, wherein the rotor is operable to move at least one paddle along a surface of the filter.