Noise-reducing dialysis systems and methods of reducing noise in dialysis systems

• US 8,998,836 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2013
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Chapman, Paul R., Childers, Robert W., Hecht, Gideon, Wellings, Anders
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCETICH, ADAM M
• Application Number:
  US13/919,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20130277306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4.01, 604/6.1, 604/6.11, 422/44
• US Class Current: 604/4.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00 ; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1524 the interface providing means for actuating on functional elements of the cassette, e.g. plungers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/155 with treatment-fluid pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1562 Details of incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1565 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1621 Constructional aspects thereof semi-permeable membranes for separation processes characterised by their properties B01D69/00; semi permeable membranes characterised by their material B01D71/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1649 with pulsatile dialysis fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/281 Instillation other than by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/30 Single needle dialysis ; Reciprocating systems, alternately withdrawing blood from and returning it to the patient, e.g. single-lumen-needle dialysis or single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3624 Level detectors; Level control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/427 the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/847 arranged in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/857 Implantable blood tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00396 : Membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00398 : in multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00409 : Solenoids in combination with valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00412 : In multiple arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/02 : Installations or systems with accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/021 : used for damping
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0807 : Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0814 : Monoblock manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0817 : Multiblock manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0821 : Attachment or sealing of modular units to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0825 : the modular elements being mounted on a common member, e.g. on a rail
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0828 : characterised by sealing means of the modular units
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0832 : Modular valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0835 : Cartridge type valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0842 : Monoblock type valves, e.g. with multiple valve spools in a common housing
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/006 : Compensation or avoidance of ambient pressure variation
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/008 : Reduction of noise or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0082 : Microvalves adapted for a particular use
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 2099/0086 : Medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 99/0042 : Electric operating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 : Electric

Abstract

A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system includes (i) pumping air in a first valve state from a pneumatic pump to operate a component of the dialysis system, and (ii) recirculating air in a second valve state by pumping air from an outlet of the pneumatic pump to an inlet of the pneumatic pump to minimize at least one of a noise pitch or noise amplitude when switching from the second valve state to the first valve state.

Claims

1. A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system comprising:

(i) pumping air in a first valve state from a pneumatic pump to operate a component of the dialysis system; and

(ii) recirculating air in a second valve state by pumping air from an outlet of the pneumatic pump to an inlet of the pneumatic pump to minimize at least one of a noise pitch or noise amplitude when switching from the second valve state to the first valve state.

2. The pneumatic method of claim 1, which includes reducing air flow in the second valve state.

3. The pneumatic method of claim 1, which includes filtering air supplied to the pneumatic pump.

4. The pneumatic method of claim 1, wherein pumping air includes pumping positive air pressure, and which includes locating a valve for producing the first and second valve states pneumatically downstream from the pneumatic pump.

5. The pneumatic method of claim 1, wherein pumping air includes pumping negative air pressure, and which includes locating a valve for producing the first and second valve states pneumatically upstream from the pneumatic pump.

6. The pneumatic method of claim 1, which includes energizing a first valve so as to produce the first valve state and de-energizing a second valve so as to produce the second valve state.

7. The pneumatic method of claim 1, which includes maintaining a partial load on the pneumatic pump in the second valve state.

8. A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system comprising:

(i) enabling air to be pulled in from a fluid flow portion of the dialysis system and to be selectively switched to instead be recirculated to reduce noise; and

(ii) enabling air to be pushed out to the fluid flow portion of the dialysis system and to be selectively switched to instead be recirculated to reduce noise.

9. The pneumatic method of claim 8, wherein pulling air includes pulling air into a first pump head and pushing air includes pushing air out of a second pump head.

10. The pneumatic method of claim 8, wherein air in (i) is recirculated in a different loop than is air in (ii).

11. The pneumatic method of claim 8, wherein recirculating air in at least one of (i) and (ii) further includes restricting the flow of the air.