IN-LINE SENSORS FOR DIALYSIS APPLICATIONS
First Claim
1. A system for preparing dialysis fluid, comprising:
- a first purification vessel comprising a purification medium for water;
a device for pumping or measuring the water;
a heater for heating the water;
a mixing chamber configured for receiving the water from the device and for mixing the water with a concentrate to form a fresh dialysis solution;
a filter for filtering the fresh dialysis solution; and
a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor placed in fluid communication with an output from a vessel selected from the group consisting of the first purification vessel, the device, the heater, the mixing chamber and the filter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring water quality for dialysis, dialysis fluids, and body fluids treated by dialysis fluids, is disclosed. The system uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for detecting impurities in input water or dialysis fluid, and in the prepared dialysate. These sensors may also be used to monitor and check the blood of the patient being treated. These sensors include ion-selective sensors, for ions such as ammonium or calcium, and also include amperometric array sensors, suitable for ions from chlorine or chloramines, e.g., chloride. These sensors assist in the monitoring of water supplies from a city water main or well. The sensors may be used in conjunction with systems for preparing dialysate solutions from water for use at home or elsewhere.
180 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A system for preparing dialysis fluid, comprising:
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a first purification vessel comprising a purification medium for water; a device for pumping or measuring the water; a heater for heating the water; a mixing chamber configured for receiving the water from the device and for mixing the water with a concentrate to form a fresh dialysis solution; a filter for filtering the fresh dialysis solution; and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor placed in fluid communication with an output from a vessel selected from the group consisting of the first purification vessel, the device, the heater, the mixing chamber and the filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for preparing dialysis fluid, comprising:
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a first purification cartridge comprising a purification medium for water; a heater for heating the water received from the first purification cartridge; first and second pumps for pumping and metering first and second concentrates; a mixing chamber configured for receiving the first and second concentrates from the first and second pumps and for mixing the first and second concentrates with the water to form a fresh dialysis solution; a filter for filtering the fresh dialysis solution; and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor placed in fluid communication with an output of a vessel selected from the group consisting of the first purification cartridge, the heater, the mixing chamber and the filter, wherein the MEMS sensor is suitable for sensing at least two substances in a stream selected from the group consisting of water from the first purification cartridge, the fresh dialysis solution and the filtered fresh dialysis solution. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of preparing dialysis solution, comprising:
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furnishing a supply of water; purifying the water in at least one pass through a purification medium; heating the water; adding the water to at least one dialysis concentrate to form a dialysis solution; filtering the dialysis solution; and sensing at least two characteristics of the water with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of preparing dialysis solution, comprising:
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furnishing a supply of water and spent dialysate; purifying the water and the spent dialysate in at least one pass through a purification medium, wherein the purification medium may be in one vessel or more than vessel; heating the water; adding the water and at least one dialysis concentrate to form a dialysis solution; filtering the formed dialysis solution; and sensing at least two characteristics of a stream selected from the group consisting of the water, the formed dialysis solution and the spent dialysis solution with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of purifying dialysis solution, comprising:
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furnishing a supply of spent dialysate; purifying the spent dialysate in at least one pass through a purification medium in a vessel to form a purified dialysate; filtering the spent dialysate to form a filtered dialysate; and sensing at least two characteristics of a stream selected from the group consisting of the spent dialysate, the purified dialysate and the filtered dialysate with a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for performing dialysis, comprising:
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providing a dialysis machine and a supply of dialysis fluid; sensing and determining a composition of the dialysis fluid with a MEMS sensor suitable for sensing and detecting at least two ions in the dialysis fluid; performing dialysis on a patient using the dialysis fluid; sensing and determining a composition of the dialysis fluid after the step of performing dialysis with a MEMS sensor; purifying the dialysis fluid after the step of performing dialysis; sensing and determining a composition of the dialysis fluid after the step of purifying with a MEMS sensor; and reusing the dialysis fluid if the composition of the dialysis fluid after the step of purifying is suitable for dialysis. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification