Module for in-line recharging of sorbent materials with optional bypass

• US 9,943,780 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mozarc Medical US LLC
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pudil, Bryant J., Gerber, Martin T., Lura, David B., Meyer, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cecil, Terry K
• Application Number:
  US14/259,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20150144542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,448 Days
• 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 1/1696 with dialysate regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/367 Circuit parts not covered by the preceding subgroups of group A61M1/3621
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0468 non-physiological
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/10 characterised by constructional or operational features
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/203 Equilibration or regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3416 of sorbents or filter aids comprising free carbon, e.g. activated carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3425 of sorbents or filter aids comprising organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3433 of sorbents or filter aids other than those covered by B01J20/3408 - B01J20/3425
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3475 in the liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/62 In a cartridge

Abstract

A module for optionally recharging sorbent materials in-line, including zirconium phosphate, with an optional bypass and conduits for a sorbent cartridge. The sorbent cartridge can have one or more modules contained therein having connectors connecting each of the modules. One or more of the modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged.

Claims

1. A sorbent cartridge, comprising:

at least one reusable module wherein the reusable module contains at least one material that can be recharged by recharging the at least one material contained within the reusable module, the reusable module having one or more connectors fluidly connectable to any part of a fluid flow path selected from any one of a wash line, a bypass line, and the fluid line;

wherein the wash line is fluidly connectable to a recharger;

wherein the bypass line is fluidly connectable to another module to bypass the reusable module; and

wherein the fluid line is fluidly connectable to any portion of a dialysis circuit,

wherein the reusable module and a second module are connected in series, wherein the reusable module is fluidly connected to a first set of one or more valves positioned on a first set of one or more connectors before the reusable module, wherein fluid is directed into the reusable module,

and wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the first set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the reusable module;

wherein a first recharger is fluidly connected to the first set of one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the first recharger to the reusable module;

wherein the reusable module is fluidly connected to a second set of one or more valves positioned on a second set of one or more connectors after the reusable module and before the second module, such that fluid may be directed from the reusable module into the second module;

wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the second module;

wherein the first recharger is connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the reusable module to the first recharger;

wherein a second recharger is fluidly connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the second recharger to the second module; and

wherein the second recharger is fluidly connected to a third set of one or more connectors positioned after the second module such that fluid may be directed from the second module to the second recharger.

2. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one valve positioned before and/or after the at least one reusable module on the connectors to selectively direct flow through the at least one reusable module, the wash line, the recharger, and the bypass line.

3. The sorbent cartridge of claim 2, further comprising any one of a four-way, three-way, two-way valve, or combinations thereof, positioned at least one of before and after the reusable module on the connectors to selectively direct fluid flow through at least one of the reusable module, the wash line, the recharger and/or the bypass line.

4. The sorbent cartridge of claim 3, wherein a bypass line connects a first valve positioned on a connector before the reusable module to a second valve positioned on a connector between the reusable and second module, and connects the second valve to a third valve positioned on a connector after the second module.

5. The sorbent cartridge of claim 2, wherein the at least one valve is operated under control of a programmable controller or computer system to regulate flow into, out of, and between the modules.

6. The sorbent cartridge of claim 2, wherein fluid flow through the at least one valve is sensed by a photocell or other flow sensing and/or measuring apparatus.

7. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the reusable module is configured to be in an off-line state by being fluidly connectable to the recharger.

8. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the reusable module is configured to be in an in-line state by being fluidly connectable to any one of the fluid line and the bypass line.

9. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein a first bypass line connects a first valve positioned on a connector before the reusable module to a second valve;

a second bypass line connects the second valve to a third valve positioned on a connector between the first and second module; and

a third bypass line connects the second valve to a fourth valve positioned on a connector after the second module.

10. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein a first bypass line connects a first valve positioned on a connector before the reusable module to a second valve positioned on a connector between the reusable module and the second module;

and a second bypass line connects a third valve positioned on the connector between the reusable module and the second module to a fourth valve positioned on a connector after the second module.

11. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein a first bypass line connects a first valve positioned on a connector before the reusable module to a second valve positioned on a connector between the reusable and second modules;

a second bypass line connects a third valve positioned on the connector between the reusable module and second module to a fourth valve positioned on a connector after the second module;

a first wash line connects the first valve to a first recharger connector;

a second wash line connects the second valve to a second recharger connector;

a third wash line connects the third valve to a third recharger connector; and

a fourth wash line connects the fourth valve to a fourth recharger connector.

12. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein a first valve positioned on a connector before the reusable module connects a first wash line to a first recharger connector;

a second valve positioned on a connector between the reusable module and second module connects a second wash line to a second recharger connector;

a third valve positioned on the connector between the first and second modules connects a third wash line to a third recharger connector;

a fourth valve positioned on a connector after the second module connects a fourth wash line to a fourth recharger connector;

a fifth valve positioned on the connector before the reusable module connects a bypass line to a sixth valve positioned on the connector between the reusable module and second module, and further connects to a seventh valve positioned on the connector after the second module.

13. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, comprising at least one reusable removable module having one or more connectors.

14. The sorbent cartridge of claim 13, wherein the at least one reusable module contains sorbent material.

15. The sorbent cartridge of claim 14, wherein the sorbent material is selected from a group consisting of zirconium phosphate, hydrous zirconium oxide, activated carbon, alumina, urease and ion exchange resin.

16. The sorbent cartridge of claim 13, wherein the at least one reusable module contains multiple sorbent materials.

17. The sorbent cartridge of claim 16, wherein the multiple sorbent materials are mixed together.

18. The sorbent cartridge of claim 13, wherein the reusable module is recyclable.

19. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one non-reusable module.

20. The sorbent cartridge of claim 19, wherein the at least one non-reusable module contains sorbent material.

21. The sorbent cartridge of claim 20, wherein the sorbent material is selected from a group consisting of zirconium phosphate, hydrous zirconium oxide, activated carbon, alumina, urease and ion exchange resin.

22. The sorbent cartridge of claim 19, wherein the at least one non-reusable module contains multiple sorbent materials.

23. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the one or more connectors connecting the modules are selected from a group consisting of quick-connect, twist-lock, push-on, and threaded fittings.

24. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the one or more connectors comprise a length of tubing and a valve or valve assembly.

25. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one reusable module is detachable from the sorbent cartridge.

26. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one reusable module has a barcode or other identification system.

27. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the connectors include an access point for a sensor.

28. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one reusable module and the other module are part of a controlled compliant dialysis circuit having a generally constant volume of fluid during operation.

29. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a control pump for circulating fluid in the fluid flow path.

30. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the first set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the reusable module;

wherein the reusable module and the bypass line are fluidly connected to a second set of one or more valves positioned on a second set of one or more connectors after the reusable module and before the second module, such that fluid is directed from the first module into the second module; and

wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the second module.

31. The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one reusable module is connected to the bypass line, the wash line, and the fluid line of the dialysis circuit through one or more valves.

32. The sorbent cartridge of claim 31, wherein the one or more valves open to one of the bypass line, the wash line, and the fluid line and close to another one of the bypass line, the wash line, and the fluid line.

33. A sorbent cartridge, comprising:

at least one reusable module wherein the reusable module contains at least one material that can be recharged by recharging the at least one material contained within the reusable module, the reusable module having one or more connectors fluidly connectable to any part of a fluid flow path selected from any one of a wash line, a bypass line, and the fluid line;

wherein the wash line is fluidly connectable to a recharger;

wherein the bypass line is fluidly connectable to another module to bypass the reusable module; and

wherein the fluid line is fluidly connectable to any portion of a dialysis circuit,

wherein the reusable module, a second module, and a third module are connected in series, wherein the reusable module is fluidly connected to a first set of one or more valves positioned on a first set of one or more connectors before the reusable module, such that fluid may be directed into the reusable module,

and wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the first set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the reusable module;

wherein a first recharger is fluidly connected to the first set of one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the first recharger to the reusable module;

wherein the reusable module is fluidly connected to a second set of one or more valves positioned on a second set of one or more connectors after the reusable module and before the second module, such that fluid may be directed from the reusable module into the second module;

wherein the first recharger is connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid is directed from the reusable module to the first recharger;

wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the second module;

wherein a second recharger is fluidly connected to the second set of one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the second recharger to the second module;

wherein the second module is fluidly connected to a third set of one or more valves positioned on a third set of one or more connectors after the second module and before the third module, such that fluid may be directed from the second module into the third module;

wherein the second recharger is fluidly connected to the third set of one or more valves such that fluid from the second module may be directed to the second recharger;

wherein the bypass line is fluidly connected to the third set of one or more valves such that fluid can bypass the third module;

wherein a third recharger is fluidly connected to the third set of one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the third recharger to the third module;

wherein the third module is fluidly connected to a fourth set of one or more connectors; and

wherein the third recharger is fluidly connected to the fourth set of one or more connectors such that fluid may be directed from the third module to the third recharger.

34. The sorbent cartridge of claim 33, wherein the reusable module contains urease, the second module contains zirconium phosphate and the third module contains zirconium oxide.

35. The sorbent cartridge of claim 34, wherein the reusable module further contains activated carbon.

36. The sorbent cartridge of claim 35, wherein the reusable module contains a first layer of activated carbon, a second layer of urease downstream of the first layer, and a third layer of activated carbon downstream of the second layer.