Modular reservoir assembly for a hemodialysis and hemofiltration system

• US 9,759,710 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: Fulkerson, Barry Neil, Smith, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Keyworth, Peter
• Application Number:
  US14/923,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20160109429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• 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 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/166 Heating for sterilisation A61M1/1686
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1664 with temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1666 by dissolving solids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/167 Flexible packaging for solid concentrates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/34 Filtering material out of the blood by passing it through a membrane, i.e. hemofiltration or diafiltration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3403 Regulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/221 by investigating the dielectric properties using microwaves G01N22/00; measuring loss factors or dielectric constants per se G01R27/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/228 Circuits therefor measuring capacitance per se G01R27/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48707 by electrical means G01N33/49, G01N33/493 take precedence

Abstract

The present specification discloses a dialysis system having a reservoir module with a reservoir housing defining an internal space, a surface located within the internal space for supporting a container that contains dialysate, and a conductivity sensor located within the internal space, where the conductivity sensor has a coil, a capacitor in electrical communication with the coil, and an energy source in electrical communication with the circuit.

Claims

1. A reservoir module for use in a portable dialysis system comprising:

a reservoir housing having four sides, a base, and a top, wherein said four sides, base surface, and top surface define an internal space and wherein at least one side of the top surface comprises a fluid drain gutter with a wetness sensor;

a container adapted to contain dialysate;

a surface located within said internal space and configured to suspend said container, wherein said surface is integrated with a scale; and

a conductivity sensor located within said internal space, wherein said conductivity sensor comprises a coil having a plurality of turns, a capacitor in electrical communication with said coil, wherein said coil and capacitor define a circuit, and an energy source in electrical communication with said circuit.

2. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the energy source maintains a substantially constant voltage across said capacitor.

3. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein said conductivity sensor outputs a value indicative of a sodium concentration in said dialysate based on an energy input required from said energy source to maintain the constant voltage across the capacitor.

4. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the coil has a radius between 2 and 6 inches.

5. The reservoir module of claim 4 wherein the coil generates a magnetic field.

6. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein a heater is in thermal contact with said container.

7. The reservoir module of claim 6 wherein the heater is integrated into said surface.

8. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein said surface comprises a plurality of flex points physically attached to said top.

9. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the container is an IV bag.

10. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein a second side of the top surface comprises a second fluid drain gutter.

11. The reservoir module of claim 10 wherein the second fluid drain gutter is in fluid communication with a second wetness sensor.

12. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein a door providing internal access to said reservoir housing is integrated into one of said four sides.

13. A module for use in an extracorporeal system comprising:

a housing having four sides, a base, and a top, wherein said four sides, base surface, and top surface define an internal space and wherein the top surface comprises a fluid drain gutter with a wetness sensor;

a container positioned within said internal space and adapted to contain a liquid;

a surface located within said internal space and configured to suspend said container, wherein said surface is integrated with a scale; and

a conductivity sensor located within said internal space.

14. The module of claim 13 wherein said conductivity sensor outputs a value indicative of an ion concentration in said liquid based on an energy input required from an energy source to maintain a constant voltage across a capacitor.

15. The module of claim 14 wherein said ion is a sodium ion.

16. The module of claim 13 wherein said conductivity sensor comprises a coil and the coil has a radius between 2 and 6 inches.

17. The module of claim 14 wherein the energy source is adapted to maintain a substantially constant voltage across said capacitor.

18. The module of claim 13 wherein the conductivity sensor further comprises an oscillator.