Dialysis machine support assemblies and related systems and methods

• US 10,086,124 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2015
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2011
• 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: Singh, Gurpreet, Farrell, Sean, Young, Michael David
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swanson, Leah
• Application Number:
  US14/882,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20160030654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 604 27- 29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1522 the interface being evacuated interfaces to enhance contact
• 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 1/154 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/155 with treatment-fluid pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1561 at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1565 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/159 specially adapted for peritoneal dialysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/288 Priming priming in extracorporeal blood circuits A61M1/3643
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/121 interface between cassette and base
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment

Abstract

In some aspects, a dialysis machine support assembly includes a platform configured to support a dialysis machine and a drive assembly configured to move the platform vertically.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring pressure in a fluid path between a dialysis fluid pump chamber and a patient; and

adjusting a vertical position of a dialysis machine when monitored pressure exceeds a maximum pressure or falls below a minimum pressure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a rate at which fluid is pumped to or from the patient along the fluid path.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the vertical position of the dialysis machine when monitored pressure exceeds a maximum pressure comprises moving the dialysis machine upward vertically while fluid is being provided to the patient.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the maximum pressure is 150-200 mbar.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising reducing a rate at which fluid is pumped to the patient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the vertical position of the dialysis machine when monitored pressure falls below a minimum pressure comprises moving the dialysis machine downward vertically while fluid is being removed from the patient.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the minimum pressure is (−

150)-(−

200) mbar.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising reducing a rate at which fluid is pumped from the patient.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the vertical position of the dialysis machine comprises adjusting a vertical position of a platform on which the dialysis machine is supported.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the vertical position of the platform on which the dialysis machine is supported comprises operating a drive assembly configured to move the platform vertically.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the drive assembly comprises:

a leadscrew fixed to a base;

a leadscrew nut that is rotatably coupled to the platform and engages the leadscrew; and

a motor that is mechanically connected to the leadscrew nut and rotates the leadscrew nut.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the leadscrew has a recess formed longitudinally along the leadscrew; and

the platform has a tab that fits within the recess and travels along the recess when the platform moves vertically.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is monitored by a sensor that is disposed along the fluid path between the dialysis fluid pump chamber and the patient.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vertical position of the dialysis machine is adjusted 24-48 inches.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a control unit adjusts the vertical position of the dialysis machine.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the control unit comprises a microprocessor of the dialysis machine.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis cycler.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating a fluid pump of the dialysis machine to deliver fluid through the fluid path from the dialysis fluid pump chamber to the patient while monitoring the pressure in the fluid path.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein adjusting the vertical position of the dialysis machine comprises adjusting a vertical position of a platform on which the dialysis machine including the fluid pump is supported.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating a fluid pump of the dialysis machine to draw fluid from a dialysate fluid container into the dialysis fluid pump chamber and to deliver the fluid through the fluid path from the dialysis fluid pump chamber to the patient while monitoring the pressure in the fluid path.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating a fluid pump of the dialysis machine to draw fluid from a dialysate fluid container into the dialysis fluid pump chamber and to deliver the fluid through the fluid path from the dialysis fluid pump chamber to the patient while monitoring the pressure in the fluid path.

22. A method comprising:

detecting, in a fluid path between a patient and a dialysis fluid pump chamber of a dialysis machine, a pressure that differs from a predetermined pressure using a pressure sensor of the dialysis machine; and

in response to detecting the pressure in the fluid path that differs from the predetermined pressure, operating a motor to adjust a height of the dialysis machine.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein operating the motor comprises operating a motor to adjust a height of a platform on which the dialysis machine sits to adjust the height of the dialysis machine.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the detected pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein operating the motor comprises operating the motor to move the dialysis machine downward vertically while fluid is being removed from a patient.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein operating the motor comprises operating the motor to drive a leadscrew.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising operating a fluid pump of the dialysis machine to deliver fluid through the fluid path from the dialysis fluid pump chamber to the patient while monitoring the pressure in the fluid path.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein operating the motor comprises operating the motor to adjust the height of a platform on which the dialysis machine including the fluid pump is supported.