MEDICAL FLUID SENSORS AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20140262990A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• 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: Jones, Ross Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,433,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/96.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/152 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/154 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1562 Details of incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1605 Physical characteristics of the dialysate fluid
• 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 1/1654 Dialysates therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3609 Physical characteristics of the blood, e.g. haematocrit, urea
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36222 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36224 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36226 Constructional details of cassettes, e.g. specific details on material or shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3681 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/20 Blood composition characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 24/087 Structure determination of a chemical compound, e.g. of a biomolecule such as a protein
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4925 measuring blood gas content, e.g. O2, CO2 , HCO3
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/307 : specially adapted for moving the sample relative to the MR system, e.g. spinning mechanisms, flow cells or means for positioning the sample inside a spectrometer
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/34092 : RF coils specially adapted for NMR spectrometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3635 : Multi-frequency operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3806 : Open magnet assemblies for improved access to the sample, e.g. C-type or U-type magnets
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/383 : using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/465 : applied to biological material, e.g. in vitro testing

Abstract

This disclosure relates to medical fluid sensors and related systems and methods. In some aspects, a medical fluid cartridge includes a body including a first portion defining a first fluid passageway and a second portion defining a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway. The body defines a gap between the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body such that the first portion of the body can be disposed in a radio frequency device while the second portion of the body remains outside the radio frequency device.

Claims

1. A medical fluid cartridge comprising:

a body comprising

a first portion defining a first fluid passageway and

a second portion defining a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway,

wherein the body defines a gap between the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body such that the first portion of the body can be disposed in a radio frequency device while the second portion of the body remains outside the radio frequency device.

2. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first fluid passageway is a meandering fluid passageway.

3. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 2, wherein the second fluid passageway is a meandering fluid passageway.

4. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the medical fluid cartridge comprises a fluid inlet port via which medical fluid enters the medical fluid cartridge and a fluid outlet port via which medical fluid exits the medical fluid cartridge.

5. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 4, wherein the first fluid passageway is configured such that fluid flows through the first fluid passageway at a rate that is lower than a rate at which the medical fluid flows through the fluid inlet port.

6. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 5, wherein the first fluid passageway is a meandering fluid passageway.

7. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 4, wherein the second fluid passageway is configured such that fluid flows through the second fluid passageway at a rate that is lower than a rate at which the medical fluid flows through the fluid inlet port.

8. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 7, wherein a flow area of the second fluid passageway is greater than a flow area of the fluid inlet port.

9. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 8, wherein the second fluid passageway is a meandering fluid passageway.

10. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a third portion having a third fluid passageway.

11. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 10, wherein the third fluid passageway is a straight fluid passageway.

12. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 10, wherein the medical fluid cartridge comprises a fluid inlet port via which medical fluid enters the medical fluid cartridge and a fluid outlet port via which medical fluid exits the medical fluid cartridge.

13. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 12, wherein the third fluid passageway is configured such that fluid flows through the third fluid passageway at a rate that is lower than a rate at which the medical fluid flows through the fluid inlet port and that is greater than rates at which the medical fluid flows through the first and second fluid passageways.

14. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 13, wherein a flow area of the third fluid passageway is greater than a flow area of the second fluid passageway.

15. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 14, wherein the flow area of the third fluid passageway is at least 5 times greater than the flow area of the second fluid passageway.

16. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third fluid passageways are configured so that when fluid enters the fluid inlet port, a first portion of the fluid passes through the second fluid passageway to the first fluid passageway and then to the fluid outlet port, and a second portion of the fluid passes through the third fluid passageway to the fluid outlet port.

17. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second fluid passageways is a meandering fluid passageway.

18. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 16, wherein the body comprises a wall that divides the second fluid passageway from the third fluid passageway near the fluid inlet port and a wall that divides the first fluid passageway from the third fluid passageway near the fluid outlet port.

19. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the medical fluid cartridge comprises indicia that indicates a volume of the first fluid passageway.

20. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the medical fluid cartridge is a dialysis fluid cartridge.

21. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the gap between the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body allows the first portion of the body to be disposed in a radio frequency coil while the second portion of the body remains outside the radio frequency coil.

22. A medical fluid system comprising:

a medical fluid pumping machine;

a magnet assembly defining a cavity in which a radio frequency device is positioned, the magnet assembly being configured to generate a magnetic field within the cavity; and

a medical fluid cartridge comprising;

a body having

a first portion defining a first fluid passageway and

a second portion defining a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway,

wherein the first portion of the body is configured to be disposed within the radio frequency device positioned within the cavity of the magnet assembly, and the second portion of the body is configured to be disposed within the cavity defined by the magnet assembly and to remain outside the radio frequency device.

23. The medical fluid system of claim 22, wherein the magnet assembly is part of the medical fluid pumping machine.

24. The medical fluid system of claim 23, wherein the magnet assembly is part of a module that is releasably attached to a housing of the medical fluid pumping machine.

25. The medical fluid system of claim 22, further comprising a medical fluid line connected to the cartridge to carry medical fluid to the cartridge.

26. The medical fluid system of claim 25, wherein the medical fluid pumping machine comprises a pump that is operably connected to the medical fluid line to pump medical fluid to the cartridge.

27. The medical fluid system of claim 22, wherein the medical fluid pumping machine is a dialysis machine.

28. The medical fluid system of claim 22, wherein the medical fluid cartridge is removable from the cavity of the magnet assembly.

29. A medical fluid cartridge comprising:

a body comprising a first portion defining a meandering fluid passageway extending between a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port and a second portion defining a fluid passageway extending between the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port, wherein the meandering fluid passageway and the fluid passageway defined by the second portion are configured so that when fluid flows into the medical fluid cartridge via the fluid inlet port, a flow rate of fluid flowing through the meandering fluid passageway is less than a flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid passageway defined by the second portion.

30. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein the meandering fluid passageway and the fluid passageway defined by the second portion are configured so that when fluid flows into the medical fluid cartridge via the fluid inlet port, the flow rate of fluid flowing through the meandering fluid passageway is 10 percent to 30 percent of the flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid passageway defined by the second portion.

31. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein a flow area of the fluid passageway defined by the second portion is 5 to 15 times greater than a flow area of the meandering fluid passageway.

32. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein the body is configured such that 10 percent to 30 percent by volume of the medical fluid flowing through the fluid inlet port passes through the meandering fluid passageway.

33. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein the fluid passageway defined by the second portion is a substantially straight fluid passageway.

34. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 33, wherein the body comprises a wall that divides the meandering fluid passageway from the substantially straight fluid passageway near the fluid inlet port and near the fluid outlet port.

35. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein the meandering fluid passageway has a first region and a second region, a flow area of the first region being greater than a flow area of the second region.

36. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 35, wherein the second region of the meandering fluid passageway is configured to carry fluid to the first region of the meandering fluid passageway.

37. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein the medical fluid cartridge comprises indicia that indicates a volume of a first region of the meandering fluid passageway.

38. The medical fluid cartridge of claim 29, wherein the medical fluid cartridge is a dialysis fluid cartridge.

39. A medical fluid system comprising:

a medical fluid pumping machine;

a magnet assembly defining a cavity, the magnet assembly being configured to generate a magnetic field within the cavity; and

a medical fluid cartridge comprising a body having a first portion defining a meandering fluid passageway extending between a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port and a second portion defining a fluid passageway extending between the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port, wherein the first portion of the body is configured to be disposed within the cavity of the magnet assembly, and the meandering fluid passageway and the fluid passageway defined by the second portion are configured so that when fluid flows into the medical fluid cartridge via the fluid inlet port, a flow rate of fluid flowing through the meandering fluid passageway is less than a flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid passageway defined by the second portion.

40. The medical fluid system of claim 39, further comprising a radio frequency device disposed in the cavity of the magnet assembly, the first portion of the body of the medical fluid cartridge being configured to be disposed in the radio frequency device.

41. The medical fluid system of claim 40, wherein a second portion of the body of the medical fluid cartridge is configured to be disposed within the cavity defined by the magnet assembly and to remain outside the radio frequency device when the first portion of the body of the medical fluid cartridge is disposed in the radio frequency device.

42. The medical fluid system of claim 39, wherein the magnet assembly is part of the medical fluid pumping machine.

43. The medical fluid system of claim 42, wherein the magnet assembly is part of a module that is releasably attached to a housing of the medical fluid pumping machine.

44. The medical fluid system of claim 39, further comprising a medical fluid line connected to the cartridge to carry medical fluid to the cartridge.

45. The medical fluid system of claim 44, wherein the medical fluid pumping machine comprises a pump that is operably connected to the medical fluid line to pump medical fluid to the cartridge.

46. The medical fluid system of claim 39, wherein the medical fluid pumping machine is a dialysis machine.

47. The medical fluid system of claim 39, wherein the medical fluid cartridge is removable from the cavity of the magnet assembly.