RESERVE ZIRCONIUM PHOSPHATE MODULE FOR USE IN SORBENT DIALYSIS

• US 20150367057A1
• Filed: 03/11/2015
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mozarc Medical US LLC
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gerber, Martin T., Hobot, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,004,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1696 with dialysate regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/30 Accessories; Auxiliary operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/32 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0211 Compounds of Ti, Zr, Hf
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/34 Regenerating or reactivating

Abstract

A reserve zirconium phosphate module for continuing dialysis in the event the capacity of the original zirconium phosphate module is exceeded. The sorbent cartridge can have a sensor for detecting when the capacity of the zirconium phosphate material has been exceeded, and a valve assembly for diverting the flow of spent dialysate into the reserve module when needed. Any of the modules of the sorbent cartridge can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged.

Claims

1. A dialysate regeneration system comprising:

a first compartment having at least one sorbent material wherein the at least one sorbent material is capable of removing ammonia or ammonium ions from a fluid;

a second compartment having at least one sorbent material capable of removing ammonia or ammonium ions from a fluid;

the first and second compartment in fluid communication controlled by one or more valves positioned to direct fluid into either the first compartment or the second compartment based on detection of ammonia breakthrough.

2. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising an ammonia detector positioned in a fluid flow path wherein the ammonia detector detects ammonia or ammonium ions in the fluid after leaving the first or second compartment.

3. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional compartments positioned before or after the first compartment;

wherein the one or more compartments contain at least one sorbent material.

4. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm mechanism such that if the ammonia detector detects ammonia or ammonium ions in a higher concentration than a pre-set level, the system provides an alert.

5. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 2, further comprising a processor configured to receive data from the ammonia detector;

wherein the processor automatically either;

(i) switches the one or more valves to direct flow into the second compartment if the ammonia detector detects ammonia or ammonium ions in a higher concentration than a pre-set value;

or

(ii) automatically stops the dialysis system if the ammonia detector detects ammonia or ammonium ions in a higher concentration than a pre-set value and there is less than a pre-set amount of time remaining in a dialysis session.

6. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sorbent material in the first or second compartment comprises zirconium phosphate.

7. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising a recharger fluidly connected to the one or more valves such that fluid may be directed from the recharger into either or both of the first compartment and the second compartment.

8. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising a bypass line fluidly connected to the one or more valves such that the one or more valves can direct fluid into the bypass line and away from either the first or second compartment.

9. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 2 wherein either:

(i) the ammonia detector is positioned in the fluid flow path wherein the ammonia detector also detects ammonia or ammonium ions in the fluid after leaving the second compartment;

or

(ii) wherein the dialysate regeneration system further comprises a second ammonia detector positioned in a fluid flow path wherein the second ammonia detector can detect ammonia or ammonium ions in the fluid leaving the second compartment.

10. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 3 wherein any one of the additional compartments contains a sorbent material capable of converting urea into ammonia or ammonium ions.

11. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 10, further comprising a bypass line fluidly connected to a second set of one or more valves positioned before the additional compartment such that fluid can be caused to bypass the additional compartment;

wherein the second set of one or more valves automatically causes fluid to bypass the additional compartment when ammonia or ammonium ions are detected in a concentration higher than a pre-set value in the fluid leaving both the first compartment and the second compartment.

12. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 6 wherein the second compartment contains between 50 and 500 grams of zirconium phosphate, or between 100 and 1500 grams of zirconium phosphate.

13. A dialysate regeneration system comprising:

a sorbent cartridge comprising at least a first compartment and a second compartment positioned in series;

the first compartment having at least one sorbent material wherein the at least one sorbent material is capable of removing ammonia or ammonium ions from a fluid;

the second compartment having at least one sorbent material capable of removing ammonia or ammonium ions from a fluid;

the first and second compartment in fluid communication controlled by one or more valves positioned on a connector after the first compartment; and

a bypass line connected to the one or more valves positioned on a connector after the first compartment such that fluid may be directed into the bypass line and around the second compartment;

wherein the one or more valves are initially set to direct fluid into the bypass line and around the second compartment.

14. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 13, further comprising an ammonia detector positioned in a fluid flow path after the first compartment such that the ammonia detector can detect ammonia or ammonium ions in fluid leaving the first compartment.

15. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 14, further comprising a processor configured to receive data from the ammonia detector;

wherein the processor causes the one or more valves to switch, such that fluid is directed into the second compartment, when the ammonia detector detects ammonia or ammonium ions in the fluid leaving the first compartment.

16. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 13 wherein the first compartment further comprises a sorbent material capable of converting urea to ammonia or ammonium ions.

17. The dialysate regeneration system of claim 13, further comprising an additional compartment positioned before the first or second compartments wherein the additional compartment comprises at least one sorbent material capable of converting urea to ammonia or ammonium ions.

18. A method, comprising:

determining an amount of ammonia leaving a first compartment capable of removing ammonia or ammonium ions from a fluid using an ammonia sensor; and

diverting flow from the first compartment to a second compartment capable of removing ammonia or ammonium ions from a fluid if ammonia breakthrough is detected.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

switching one or more valves to direct fluid into the second compartment when the ammonia detector detects ammonia or ammonium ions in the fluid leaving the first compartment.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

bypassing the first compartment using the one or more valves such that fluid may be directed into a bypass line and around the first compartment.