Dialysis system having autoconnection
First Claim
1. A dialysis system comprising:
- a dialysis machine includingat least one fluid pump actuator, andan autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder;
a plurality of pierceable connectors each initially including a protective cap and each held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, each of the plurality of pierceable connectors in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid;
a plurality of spikes each held fixed by a rigid housing of a disposable cassette including a flexible membrane attached to the housing, each of the plurality of spikes including a sharp or blunt piercing edge, the disposable cassette positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump actuator and for the sharp or blunt piercing edges of the spikes to face the plurality of pierceable connectors; and
wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the protective caps are removed from the plurality of pierceable connectors, (ii) the plurality of spikes pierce the plurality of pierceable connectors and (iii) the sources of medical fluid can communicate with the disposable cassette.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one fluid pump, and an autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder; a plurality of pierceable connectors each held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, each of the pierceable connectors in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid; a plurality of spikes each held fixed by the dialysis machine, each of the spikes in fluid communication with a disposable component that is positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump; and wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the spikes pierce the pierceable connectors and (ii) the sources of medical fluid can communicate with the disposable component positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A dialysis system comprising:
-
a dialysis machine including at least one fluid pump actuator, and an autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder; a plurality of pierceable connectors each initially including a protective cap and each held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, each of the plurality of pierceable connectors in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid; a plurality of spikes each held fixed by a rigid housing of a disposable cassette including a flexible membrane attached to the housing, each of the plurality of spikes including a sharp or blunt piercing edge, the disposable cassette positioned and arranged to operate with the at least one fluid pump actuator and for the sharp or blunt piercing edges of the spikes to face the plurality of pierceable connectors; and wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the protective caps are removed from the plurality of pierceable connectors, (ii) the plurality of spikes pierce the plurality of pierceable connectors and (iii) the sources of medical fluid can communicate with the disposable cassette. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A dialysis system comprising:
-
a dialysis machine including a fluid pump actuator, and an autoconnection mechanism including a moveable holder and at least one electrical motor positioned and arranged to move the moveable holder; a pierceable connector held by the moveable holder of the autoconnection mechanism, the pierceable connector in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid; a disposable cassette including a rigid housing and a flexible membrane attached to the housing, and a spike held fixed by the disposable cassette, the spike including a sharp or blunt piercing edge and a protective cap, the disposable cassette positioned and arranged to (a) enable the flexible membrane to operate with the fluid pump actuator, (b) allow the protective cap to be removed from the spike, and (c) place the sharp or blunt piercing edge inline with the pierceable connector; and wherein the moveable holder is moved automatically by actuating the at least one electrical motor of the autoconnection mechanism, so that (i) the protective cap is removed from the spike, (ii) the pierceable connector is moved to be pierced by the spike and (iii) the source of medical fluid can fluidly communicate with the disposable cassette for fluid pumping by the fluid pump actuator from the source of medical fluid. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification