Cartridge systems useful in cleaning dialysis solutions

• US 9,962,477 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Slade, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barry, Chester T
• Application Number:
  US14/983,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20170189598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1696 with dialysate regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/10 Flow characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/18 Coaxial flows, e.g. one flow within another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/20 having means for promoting or enhancing the flow, actively or passively
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/10 characterised by constructional or operational features
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/14 relating to the introduction of the feed to the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/22 relating to the construction of the column
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 24/40 for feeding
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/30 Accessories; Auxiliary operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/043 Carbonates or bicarbonates, e.g. limestone, dolomite, aragonite
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/20 comprising free carbon; comprising carbon obtained by carbonising processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28052 Several layers of identical or different sorbents stacked in a housing, e.g. in a column
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/62 In a cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/003 containing enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 39/02 Processes using inorganic exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 39/12 Compounds containing phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 41/02 Processes using inorganic exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 41/10 Inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 47/024 where the ion-exchangers are in a removable cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges

Abstract

Sorbent cartridge systems useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis systems using the sorbent cartridge system of the present invention are further described.

Claims

1. A sorbent cartridge system, comprising:

a sorbent cartridge comprising i) a continuous sidewall extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, which define a chamber, ii) at least one layer comprising solid particulate media, wherein the at least one layer extends across the chamber within the continuous sidewall, and the at least one layer comprises a first region and a second region adjacent the first region and located closer to the continuous sidewall than the first region; and

an intake manifold comprising at least one first discharge port and at least one second fluid discharge port, wherein the intake manifold and sorbent cartridge are positionable with respect to each other to locate the first region of the sorbent cartridge for fluid communication with the at least one first discharge port and locate the second region of the sorbent cartridge for fluid communication with the at least one second fluid discharge port, wherein the intake manifold is configured wherein a first volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the first fluid discharge port into the first region is greater as compared to a second volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the second fluid discharge port into the second region,

wherein the intake manifold comprises i) at least one central branch passageway comprising a first hydraulic diameter and the at least one first discharge port, ii) at least one peripheral branch passageway comprising a second hydraulic diameter and the at least one second discharge port, and iii) a fluid feeding passageway for supplying fluid concurrently to the at least one central branch passageway and the at least one peripheral branch passageway, wherein the first hydraulic diameter of the at least one central branch passageway is greater than the second hydraulic diameter of the at least one peripheral branch passageway.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral branch passageway comprises a plurality of pipes having discharge openings arranged in spaced-apart pattern around the at least one discharge port of the at least one central branch passageway, wherein each of the plurality of pipes having the second hydraulic diameter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral branch passageway comprises a single duct having a continuous discharge opening which is arranged around and radially spaced from the at least one discharge port of the at least one central branch passageway, wherein the single duct having the second hydraulic diameter.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the intake manifold is configured wherein the first volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the first fluid discharge port into the first region is at least 5% greater as compared to the second volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the second fluid discharge port into the second region.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the intake manifold is configured wherein the first volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the first fluid discharge port into the first region is at least 10% greater as compared to the second volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the second fluid discharge port into the second region.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first region comprises first solid particulate media having a first average packing density, and the second region comprises second solid particulate media having a second average packing density, wherein the first average packing density is within ±

1% of the second average packing density.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sorbent cartridge and the intake manifold are detachably mountable to each other.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the intake manifold is fixed in position on a dialysis machine and the sorbent cartridge is detachably mountable to the intake manifold.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the sorbent cartridge comprises an enzyme-comprising layer, and a zirconium phosphate-containing layer that follows the enzyme-comprising layer within the sorbent cartridge, wherein the zirconium phosphate-containing layer is the at least one layer comprising solid particulate media.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sorbent cartridge further comprising, from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet:

a) a first carbon-containing layer that precedes the enzyme-comprising layer;

b) the enzyme-comprising layer, which follows the first carbon-containing layer within the sorbent cartridge;

c) a second carbon-containing layer that follows the enzyme-comprising layer within the sorbent cartridge;

d) the zirconium phosphate-containing layer, which follows the second carbon-containing layer within the sorbent cartridge;

e) a hydrous zirconium oxide layer that follows the zirconium phosphate-containing layer comprising hydrous zirconium oxide-chloride having an alkaline pH; and

f) a (bi)carbonate layer that follows the hydrous zirconium oxide layer comprising sodium (bi)carbonate.

13. A method to regenerate or purify dialysis fluid comprising passing dialysis fluid through a sorbent cartridge system of claim 1.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the dialysis fluid is passed through the sorbent cartridge system for a treatment session having a duration of 180 minutes to 300 minutes, wherein the dialysis fluid flows concurrently through the first region at a first fluid flow rate and through the second region at a second fluid flow rate, wherein the first fluid flow rate is at least 5% more than the second fluid flow rate for at least 90% of the treatment session.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the dialysis fluid is passed through the sorbent cartridge system for a treatment session having a duration of 180 minutes to 300 minutes, wherein the dialysis fluid flows concurrently through the first region at a first fluid flow rate and through the second region at a second fluid flow rate, wherein the first fluid flow rate is at least 10% more than the second fluid flow rate for 100% of the treatment session.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the dialysis fluid is passed through the sorbent cartridge system for a treatment session having a duration of 180 minutes to 300 minutes, wherein the dialysis fluid flows concurrently through the first region at a first fluid flow rate and through the second region at a second fluid flow rate, wherein the first fluid flow rate is at least 15% more than the second fluid flow rate for at least 90% of the treatment session.

17. A dialysis system to regenerate or purify spent dialysis fluid comprising the sorbent cartridge system of claim 1.

4. A sorbent cartridge system, comprising:

a sorbent cartridge comprising i) a continuous sidewall extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, which define a chamber, ii) at least one layer comprising solid particulate media, wherein the at least one layer extends across the chamber within the continuous sidewall, and the at least one layer comprises a first region and a second region adjacent the first region and located closer to the continuous sidewall than the first region; and

an intake manifold comprising at least one first discharge port and at least one second fluid discharge port, wherein the intake manifold and sorbent cartridge are positionable with respect to each other to locate the first region of the sorbent cartridge for fluid communication with the at least one first discharge port and locate the second region of the sorbent cartridge for fluid communication with the at least one second fluid discharge port, wherein the intake manifold is configured wherein a first volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the first fluid discharge port into the first region is greater as compared to a second volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the second fluid discharge port into the second region, wherein the intake manifold comprises concentric tubes comprising i) an inner tube comprising a first hydraulic diameter, the at least one first discharge port, and at least one first fluid supply inlet port, ii) an outer tube concentrically surrounding the inner tube, wherein the outer tube comprising a second hydraulic diameter, the at least one second discharge port, and at least one second fluid supply inlet port, iii) a fluid feeding passageway for supplying fluid concurrently to the at least one first fluid supply inlet port of the inner tube and the at least one second fluid supply inlet port of the outer tube, wherein the first hydraulic diameter of the inner tube is greater than the second hydraulic diameter of the outer tube.

5. A sorbent cartridge system, comprising:

a sorbent cartridge comprising i) a continuous sidewall extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, which define a chamber, ii) at least one layer comprising solid particulate media, wherein the at least one layer extends across the chamber within the continuous sidewall, and the at least one layer comprises a first region and a second region adjacent the first region and located closer to the continuous sidewall than the first region; and

an intake manifold comprising at least one first discharge port and at least one second fluid discharge port, wherein the intake manifold and sorbent cartridge are positionable with respect to each other to locate the first region of the sorbent cartridge for fluid communication with the at least one first discharge port and locate the second region of the sorbent cartridge for fluid communication with the at least one second fluid discharge port, wherein the intake manifold is configured wherein a first volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the first fluid discharge port into the first region is greater as compared to a second volumetric flow rate of fluid discharged at the second fluid discharge port into the second region, wherein the intake manifold comprises a spray nozzle head comprising i) a housing defining a fluid chamber which is fluidly linkable with a fluid supply line and an open side, and ii) a perforated plate covering the open side of the housing, wherein the perforated plate comprises (a) a first central region comprising a first perforated plate portion defining a plurality of first holes passing through a first solid plate portion, wherein the first holes have a first diameter, and (b) a second peripheral region which surrounds the first central region, wherein the second peripheral region comprising a second perforated plate portion defining a plurality of second holes passing through a second solid plate portion, wherein the second holes have a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter of the first holes are larger than the second diameter of the second holes, and the at least one first discharge port comprises the first holes and the at least one second discharge port comprises the second holes.