Modular Reservoir Assembly for a Hemodialysis and Hemofiltration System

• US 20180017542A1
• Filed: 08/02/2017
• Published: 01/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• 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: Fulkerson, Barry Neil, Smith, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 10,670,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• 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 1/1656 Apparatus for preparing dialysates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/166 Heating for sterilisation A61M1/1686
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1664 with temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1666 by dissolving solids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1668 Details of containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/167 Flexible packaging for solid concentrates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/34 Filtering material out of the blood by passing it through a membrane, i.e. hemofiltration or diafiltration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3403 Regulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/221 by investigating the dielectric properties using microwaves G01N22/00; measuring loss factors or dielectric constants per se G01R27/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/228 Circuits therefor measuring capacitance per se G01R27/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48707 by electrical means G01N33/49, G01N33/493 take precedence

Abstract

The present specification discloses a dialysis system having a reservoir module with a reservoir housing defining an internal space, a surface located within the internal space for supporting a container that contains dialysate, and a conductivity sensor located within the internal space, where the conductivity sensor has a coil, a capacitor in electrical communication with the coil, and an energy source in electrical communication with the circuit.

Claims

1. A reservoir module for use in a portable dialysis system comprising:

a. A reservoir housing having four sides, a base, and a top, wherein said four sides, base surface, and top surface define an internal space;

b. A surface located within said internal space for supporting a container adapted to contain dialysate; and

c. A conductivity sensor located within said internal space, wherein said conductivity sensor comprises a coil having a plurality of turns, a capacitor in electrical communication with said coil, wherein said coil and capacitor define a circuit, and an energy source in electrical communication with said circuit.

2. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the energy source maintains a substantially constant voltage across said capacitor.

3. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein said conductivity sensor outputs a value indicative of a sodium concentration in said dialysate based on an energy input required from said energy source to maintain the constant voltage across the capacitor.

4. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the coil has a radius between 2 and 6 inches.

5. The reservoir module of claim 4 wherein the coil generates a magnetic field.

6. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the surface is a flat pan.

7. The reservoir module of claim 6 wherein a heater is in thermal contact with said pan.

8. The reservoir module of claim 7 wherein the heater is integrated into said pan.

9. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein said surface is part of a scale.

10. The reservoir module of claim 9 wherein said scale comprises a plurality of flex points physically attached to said top.

11. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein the container is a disposable bag.

12. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein said reservoir housing further comprises a gutter.

13. The reservoir module of claim 12 wherein the gutter is in fluid communication with a wetness sensor.

14. The reservoir module of claim 1 wherein a door providing internal access to said reservoir housing is integrated into one of said four sides.

15. A module for use in an extracorporeal system comprising:

a. A housing having four sides, a base, and a top, wherein said four sides, base surface, and top surface define an internal space;

b. A container positioned within said internal space and adapted to contain a liquid; and

c. A conductivity sensor located within said internal space, wherein said conductivity sensor comprises a coil having a plurality of turns, a capacitor in electrical communication with said coil, wherein said coil and capacitor define a circuit, and an energy source in electrical communication with said circuit.

16. The module of claim 15 wherein said conductivity sensor outputs a value indicative of an ion concentration in said liquid based on an energy input required from said energy source to maintain a constant voltage across the capacitor.

17. The module of claim 16 wherein said ion is a sodium ion.

18. The module of claim 15 wherein the coil has a radius between 2 and 6 inches.

19. The module of claim 15 wherein the energy source is adapted to maintain a substantially constant voltage across said capacitor.

20. The module of claim 15 wherein the conductivity sensor further comprises an oscillator.

21. (canceled)