U.S. patent application number 14/834073 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for hemodialysis systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to DEKA Products Limited Partnership. The applicant listed for this patent is DEKA Products Limited Partnership. Invention is credited to Todd A. Ballantyne, Michael J. Wilt.
Application Number | 20160175506 14/834073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44279826 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160175506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilt; Michael J. ; et
al. |
June 23, 2016 |
HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis
systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path
including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing
circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes.
The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially
and/or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas
supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate
flow path and/or the dialyzer to, urge dialysate through the
dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems
may include fluid handling devices actuated using a control fluid,
optionally delivered using detachable pump. Fluid handling devices
may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a
diaphragm dividing the device into compartments.
Inventors: |
Wilt; Michael J.; (Windham,
NH) ; Ballantyne; Todd A.; (Amherst, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DEKA Products Limited Partnership |
Manchester |
NH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DEKA Products Limited
Partnership
Manchester
NH
|
Family ID: |
44279826 |
Appl. No.: |
14/834073 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14262178 |
Apr 25, 2014 |
9115708 |
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14834073 |
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|
13745730 |
Jan 18, 2013 |
8721879 |
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14262178 |
|
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|
12199452 |
Aug 27, 2008 |
8357298 |
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13745730 |
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12072908 |
Feb 27, 2008 |
8246826 |
|
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12199452 |
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60903582 |
Feb 27, 2007 |
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60904024 |
Feb 27, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2205/3317 20130101;
A61M 1/3646 20140204; A61M 2205/3324 20130101; G16H 20/40 20180101;
A61M 1/1635 20140204; A61M 2001/1635 20130101; A61M 2001/365
20130101; A61M 2202/0413 20130101; A61M 2205/18 20130101; A61M
1/3652 20140204; A61M 2205/502 20130101; A61M 2205/3368 20130101;
A61M 1/1601 20140204; A61M 1/3465 20140204; A61M 1/3434 20140204;
A61M 2205/3331 20130101; A61M 1/341 20140204; A61M 2001/3652
20130101; A61M 1/3609 20140204; G06F 19/3406 20130101; A61M
2001/3465 20130101; G06F 19/3481 20130101; A61M 1/3437 20140204;
A61M 1/365 20140204; A61M 2205/3334 20130101; F04B 45/0536
20130101; A61M 2001/3646 20130101; G16H 40/63 20180101; A61M
2205/12 20130101; A61M 1/16 20130101; A61M 1/1613 20140204; A61M
1/3441 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/16 20060101
A61M001/16 |
Claims
1. A hemodialysis system comprising: a dialysis unit comprising an
automation computer and dialysis equipment; a user interface unit
comprising a user interface computer and a user interface, the user
interface being adapted to display information and receive inputs;
wherein the automation computer is configured to receive requests
for safety-critical information from the user interface computer,
and the automation computer is configured to access the
safety-critical information on behalf of the user interface
computer; and wherein the user interface computer is configured to
display information related to a dialysis process via the user
interface using the safety-critical information.
2. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the safety-critical
information relates to a state of a display of the user interface,
the state of the display being based, at least in part, on a state
of the dialysis process.
3. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the safety-critical
information comprises data collected from the dialysis process.
4. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the user interface
computer is configured to receive an input specifying a display
mode and to select, based on the specified display mode, a subset
of the safety-critical information to use to display the
information related to the dialysis process.
5. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein: the automation
computer comprises an interface to the dialysis equipment; the user
interface computer is configured to receive an input relating to a
requested dialysis process and transmit the input to the automation
computer; and the automation computer is configured to issue, in
response to receipt of the input, a command to the interface to
initiate the dialysis process.
6. The hemodialysis system of claim 5, wherein the automation
computer is further configured to verify the input prior to issuing
the command.
7. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the user interface
computer is further configured to display information related to
the dialysis process via the user interface using screen design
information accessed directly by the user interface computer.
8. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the automation
computer is configured to control all safety-critical information
stored in the hemodialysis system.
9. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the hemodialysis
system comprises a database for storing the safety-critical
information, and wherein the automation computer is configured to
control the storage of the safety-critical information to the
database.
10. The hemodialysis system of claim 9, wherein the user interface
computer is prevented from writing information to the database.
11. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the dialysis
equipment comprises a mixing circuit, a blood flow circuit, a
balancing circuit, and an external dialysate circuit.
12. The hemodialysis system of claim 1, wherein the automation
computer is configured to trigger an alarm condition when an
abnormal condition is detected by at least one sensor associated
with the dialysis equipment.
13. The hemodialysis system of claim 12, wherein the user interface
computer is configured to control a display of alarm information
indicative of the alarm condition via the user interface.
14-33. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/262,178, filed Apr. 25, 2014, and issued on Aug. 25,
2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,115,708, entitled "Hemodialysis Systems and
Methods," which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/745,730, filed Jan. 18, 2013, and issued on May 13, 2014 as U.S.
Pat. No. 8,721,879, entitled "Hemodialysis Systems and Methods,"
which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/199,452, filed Aug. 27, 2008, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,357,298 on Jan. 22, 2013, entitled "Hemodialysis Systems and
Methods," which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/072,908, filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 8,246,826 on Aug. 21, 2012, entitled "Hemodialysis
Systems and Methods," which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/903,582, filed Feb. 27, 2007,
entitled "Hemodialysis System and Methods," and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/904,024, filed Feb. 27, 2007,
entitled "Hemodialysis System and Methods." Each of these is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and
similar dialysis systems, e.g., systems able to treat blood or
other bodily fluids extracorporeally. In certain aspects, the
systems include a variety of systems and methods that would make
hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many factors make hemodialysis inefficient, difficult, and
expensive. These factors include the complexity of hemodialysis,
the safety concerns related to hemodialysis, and the very large
amount of dialysate needed for hemodialysis. Moreover, hemodialysis
is typically performed in a dialysis center requiring skilled
technicians. Therefore any increase in the ease and efficiency of
the dialysis process could have an impact on treatment cost or
patient outcome.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a hemodialysis
system. The system 5 includes two flow paths, a blood flow path 10
and a dialysate flow path 20. Blood is drawn from a patient. A
blood flow pump 13 causes the blood to flow around blood flow path
10, drawing the blood from the patient, causing the blood to pass
through the dialyzer 14, and returning the blood to the patient.
Optionally, the blood may pass through other components, such as a
filter and/or an air trap 19, before returning to the patient. In
addition, in some cases, anticoagulant may be supplied from an
anticoagulant supply 11 via an anticoagulant valve 12.
[0005] A dialysate pump 15 draws dialysate from a dialysate supply
16 and causes the dialysate to pass through the dialyzer 14, after
which the dialysate can pass through a waste valve 18 and/or return
to the dialysate feed via dialysate pump 15. A dialysate valve 17
controls the flow of dialysate from the dialysate supply 16. The
dialyzer is constructed such that the blood from the blood flow
circuit flows through tiny tubes and the dialysate solution
circulates around the outside of the tubes. Therapy is achieved by
the passing of waste molecules (e.g., urea, creatinine, etc.) and
water from the blood through the walls of the tubes and into the
dialysate solution. At the end of treatment, the dialysate solution
is discarded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and
similar dialysis systems. The subject matter of the present
invention involves, in some cases, interrelated products,
alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality
of different uses of one or more systems and/or articles. Although
the various systems and methods described herein are described in
relation to hemodialysis, it should be understood that the various
systems and method described herein are applicable to other
dialysis systems and/or in any extracorporeal system able to treat
blood or other bodily fluids, such as hemofiltration,
hemodiafiltration, etc.
[0007] In one aspect, the system includes four fluid paths: blood;
inner dialysate; outer dialysate and dialysate mixing. In some
embodiments, these four paths are combined in a single cassette. In
other embodiments, these four paths are each in a respective
cassette. In still other embodiments, two or more fluid paths are
included on one cassette.
[0008] In one embodiment, there is provided a hemodialysis system
having at least two fluid paths integrated into: 1) a blood flow
pump cassette, 2) an inner dialysate cassette; 3) an outer
dialysate cassette; and 4) a mixing cassette. The cassettes may be
fluidly connected one to another. In some embodiments, one or more
aspects of these cassettes can be combined into a single
cassette.
[0009] Also provided, in another embodiment, is a hemodialysis
system including a blood flow path through which untreated blood is
drawn from a patient and is passed through a dialyzer and through
which treated blood is returned to the patient. The blood flow path
may include at least one blood flow pump located in a removable
cassette. The hemodialysis system also can include a first
receiving structure for receiving the blood flow path's cassette, a
dialysate flow path through which dialysate flows from a dialysate
supply through the dialyzer, a second receiving structure for
receiving the dialysate flow path's cassette, and a control fluid
path for providing a control fluid from an actuator mechanism to
the cassettes for actuating each of the blood flow pump and the
dialysate pump. In some instances, the dialysate flow path can
include at least one dialysate pump located in a removable
cassette.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, a hemodialysis system is
disclosed. The hemodialysis system, in this embodiment, includes a
blood flow path through which untreated blood is drawn from a
patient and is passed through a dialyzer and through which treated
blood is returned to the patient. The blood flow path may include
at least one blood valve. The hemodialysis system may also include
a control fluid path for providing a control fluid from an actuator
mechanism to the blood valve for actuating the blood valve, a
dialysate mixing system fluidly connected to the dialyzer (which
may include at least one dialyzer valve), and a heating means or a
heater for heating the dialysate.
[0011] A hemodialysis system is disclosed in yet another embodiment
that includes a blood flow path through which untreated blood is
drawn from a patient and passed through a dialyzer and through
which treated blood is returned to the patient. The blood flow path
can include at least one blood flow pump. The hemodialysis system
also can include a dialysate flow path through which dialysate
flows from a dialysate supply through the dialyzer. The dialysate
flow path may include at least one pneumatic pump.
[0012] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a hemodialysis
system. In one set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system includes
a blood flow path, a first cassette defining an inner dialysate
fluid path, a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood flow
path and the inner dialysate fluid path, a second cassette defining
an outer dialysate fluid path, and a filter fluidly connecting the
first cassette to the second cassette.
[0013] In another set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system,
includes a blood flow path, an inner dialysate fluid path, a
dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood flow path and the
inner dialysate fluid path, an outer dialysate fluid path, a filter
fluidly connecting the inner dialysate fluid path and the outer
dialysate fluid path, a first dialysate pump for pumping dialysate
through the inner dialysate fluid path, and a second dialysate pump
for pumping dialysate through the outer dialysate fluid path, where
the second dialysate pump and the first dialysate pump are operably
connected such that flow through the inner dialysate fluid path is
substantially equal to flow through the outer dialysate fluid
path.
[0014] The hemodialysis system, in yet another set of embodiments,
includes a blood flow path through which blood is drawn from a
patient and passed through a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path
through which dialysate flows from a dialysate supply through the
dialyzer. In some cases, the dialysate flow path comprises a
balancing cassette which controls the amount of dialysate passing
through the dialyzer, a mixing cassette which forms dialysate from
water, and a directing cassette which passes water from a water
supply to the mixing cassette and passes dialysate from the mixing
cassette to the balancing cassette.
[0015] In still another set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system
includes a cassette system, comprising a directing cassette, a
mixing cassette and a balancing cassette. In some cases, the
directing cassette is able to direct water from a water supply to
the mixing cassette and direct dialysate from the mixing cassette
to a balancing cassette, the mixing cassette is able to mix water
from the directing cassette with dialysate from a dialysate supply
precursor to produce a precursor, and the balancing cassette is
able to control the amount of dialysate passing through a
dialyzer.
[0016] In one set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system includes
a blood flow path through which blood is drawn from a patient and
passed through a dialyzer, the blood flow path including a blood
flow pump, a dialysate flow path through which dialysate flows from
a dialysate supply through the dialyzer, where the dialysate flow
path includes a dialysate pump, and a control fluid path through
which a control fluid actuates the blood flow pump and the
dialysate pump.
[0017] The hemodialysis system, in another set of embodiments,
comprises a blood flow path through which blood is drawn from a
patient and passed through a dialyzer; and a dialysate flow path
through which dialysate flows from a dialysate supply through the
dialyzer. In some cases, the dialysate flow path includes at least
one pneumatic pump. The hemodialysis system, in still another set
of embodiments, includes a first pump comprising a pumping chamber
and an actuation chamber, a second pump comprising a pumping
chamber and an actuation chamber, a control fluid in fluidic
communication with each of the actuation chambers of the first and
second pumps, and a controller able to pressurize the control fluid
to control operation of the first and second pumps.
[0018] In yet another set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system
includes a first valve comprising a valving chamber and an
actuation chamber, a second valve comprising a valving chamber and
an actuation chamber, a control fluid in fluidic communication with
each of the actuation chambers of the first and second valves, and
a controller able to pressurize the control fluid to control
operation of the first and second valves.
[0019] In one set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system includes
a blood flow path through which blood is drawn from a patient and
passed through a dialyzer, a cassette containing at least a portion
of the blood flow path, and a spike integrally formed with the
cassette, the spike able to receive a vial of fluid, the integrally
formed spike in fluidic communication with the blood flow path
within the cassette.
[0020] The hemodialysis system, in another set of embodiments,
includes a blood flow path through which untreated blood is drawn
from a patient and passed through a dialyzer, a dialysate flow path
through which dialysate flows from a dialysate supply through the
dialyzer, the dialyzer permitting dialysate to pass from the
dialysate flow path to the blood flow path, and a gas supply in
fluidic communication with the dialysate flow path so that, when
activated, gas from the gas supply causes the dialysate to pass
through the dialyzer and urge blood in the blood flow path back to
the patient.
[0021] In yet another set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system
includes a blood flow path through which untreated blood is drawn
from a patient and passed through a dialyzer, a dialysate flow path
through which dialysate flows from a dialysate supply through the
dialyzer, the dialyzer permitting dialysate to pass from the
dialysate flow path to the blood flow path, a fluid supply, a
chamber in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the
dialysate fluid path, the chamber having a diaphragm separating
fluid of the fluid supply from dialysate of the dialysate flow
path, and a pressurizing device for pressurizing the fluid supply
to urge the diaphragm against the dialysate in the chamber, so as
to cause the dialysate to pass through the dialyzer and urge blood
in the blood flow path back to the patient.
[0022] The hemodialysis system, in still another set of
embodiments, includes a blood flow path through which untreated
blood is drawn from a patient and passed through a dialyzer, a
dialysate flow path through which dialysate flows from a dialysate
supply through the dialyzer, the dialysate flow path and the blood
flow path being in fluidic communication, and a pressure device
able to urge dialysate in the dialysate flow path to flow into the
blood flow path.
[0023] In one set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system includes
a first housing containing a positive-displacement pump actuated by
a control fluid, a fluid conduit fluidly connecting the
positive-displacement pump with a control fluid pump, and a second
housing containing the control fluid pump, where the second housing
is detachable from the first housing.
[0024] In another set of embodiments, the hemodialysis system
includes a housing comprising a first compartment and a second
compartment separated by an insulating wall, the first compartment
being sterilizable at a temperature of at least about 80.degree.
C., the second compartment containing electronic components that,
when the first compartment is heated to a temperature of at least
about 80.degree. C., are not heated to a temperature of more than
60.degree. C.
[0025] The hemodialysis system, in yet another set of embodiments,
includes a blood flow path through which untreated blood is drawn
from a patient and passed through a dialyzer, the blood flow path
including at least one blood valve; a control fluid path for
providing a control fluid from an actuator mechanism to the blood
valve for actuating the blood valve; a dialysate mixing system
fluidly connected to the dialyzer, including at least one dialyzer
valve; and a heater for heating the dialysate.
[0026] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
valving system. In one set of embodiments, the valving system
includes a valve housing containing a plurality of valves, at least
two of which valves each comprises a valving chamber and an
actuation chamber, each of the at least two valves being actuatable
by a control fluid in the actuation chamber; a control housing
having a plurality of fluid-interface ports for providing fluid
communication with a control fluid from a base unit; and a
plurality of tubes extending between the valve housing and the
control housing, each tube providing fluid communication between
one of the fluid-interface ports and at least one of the actuation
chambers, such that the base unit can actuate a valve by
pressurizing control fluid in the fluid interface port.
[0027] In one set of embodiments, the invention is directed to a
valve including a first plate; a second plate, the second plate
having an indentation on a side facing the first plate, the
indentation having a groove defined therein, the groove being open
in a direction facing the first plate; a third plate, wherein the
second plate is located between the first and third plate; and a
diaphragm located in the indentation between the first plate and
the second plate, the diaphragm having a rim, the rim being held in
the groove. The second plate may include a valve seat arranged so
that the diaphragm may be urged by pneumatic pressure to seal the
valve seat closed, the groove surrounding the valve seat. In some
cases, a valve inlet and a valve outlet are defined between the
second and third plates. In one embodiment, a passage for providing
pneumatic pressure is defined between the first and second
plates.
[0028] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
pumping system. The pumping system, in one set of embodiments,
includes a pump housing containing a plurality of pumps, at least
two of which pumps each includes a pumping chamber and an actuation
chamber, each of the at least two pumps being actuatable by a
control fluid in the actuation chamber; a control housing having a
plurality of fluid-interface ports for providing fluid
communication with a control fluid from a base unit; and a
plurality of tubes extending between the pump housing and the
control housing, each tube providing fluid communication between
one of the fluid-interface ports and at least one of the actuation
chambers, such that the base unit can actuate a pump by
pressurizing control fluid in the fluid interface port.
[0029] The invention is generally directed to a pumping cassette in
another aspect. In one set of embodiments, the pumping cassette
includes at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, a
flow path connecting the at least one fluid inlet and the at least
one fluid outlet, and a spike for attaching a vial to said
cassette. The spike may be in fluidic communication with the flow
path in some cases.
[0030] In one aspect, the invention is generally directed to a
pumping cassette for balancing flow to and from a target. In one
set of embodiments, the pumping cassette includes a cassette inlet,
a supply line to the target, a return line from the target, a
cassette outlet, a pumping mechanism for causing fluid to flow from
the cassette inlet to the supply line and from the return line to
the cassette outlet, and a balancing chamber. In some cases, the
pumping mechanism includes a pod pump comprising a rigid curved
wall defining a pumping volume and having an inlet and an outlet, a
pump diaphragm mounted within the pumping volume; and an actuation
port for connecting the pod pump to a pneumatic actuation system so
that the diaphragm can be actuated to urge fluid into and out of
the pumping volume, wherein the pump diaphragm separates the fluid
from a gas in fluid communication with the pneumatic actuation
system. In certain instances, the balancing chamber includes a
rigid curved wall defining a balance volume; and a balance
diaphragm mounted within the balance volume, where the balance
diaphragm separates the balance volume into a supply side and a
return side, each of the supply side and the return side having an
inlet and an outlet. In some cases, fluid from the cassette inlet
flows to the supply side inlet, fluid from the supply side outlet
flows to the supply line, fluid from the return line flows to the
return side inlet, and fluid from the return side outlet flows to
the cassette outlet.
[0031] In another set of embodiments, the pumping system includes a
system inlet, a supply line to the target, a return line from the
target, a system outlet, a pumping mechanism for causing fluid to
flow from the system inlet to the supply line and from the return
line to the system outlet, and a balancing chamber.
[0032] In one embodiment, the pumping mechanism includes a pod pump
comprising a rigid spheroid wall defining a pumping volume and
having an inlet and an outlet, a pump diaphragm mounted within and
to the spheroid wall, and a port for connecting the pod pump to a
pneumatic actuation system so that the diaphragm can be actuated to
urge fluid into and out of the pumping volume. In some cases, the
pump diaphragm separates the fluid from a gas in fluid
communication with the pneumatic actuation system;
[0033] In certain instances, the balancing chamber includes a rigid
spheroid wall defining a balance volume, and a balance diaphragm
mounted within and to the spheroid wall. In one embodiment, the
balance diaphragm separates the balance volume into a supply side
and a return side, each of the supply side and the return side
having an inlet and an outlet. In some cases, fluid from the system
inlet flows to the supply side inlet, fluid from the supply side
outlet flows to the supply line, fluid from the return line flows
to the return side inlet, and fluid from the return side outlet
flows to the system outlet. The pumping mechanism may also include
valving mechanisms located at each of the inlets and outlets of the
supply side and the return side. The valving mechanisms may be
pneumatically actuated.
[0034] Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a
cassette. In one set of embodiments, the cassette includes a first
flow path connecting a first inlet to a first outlet, a second flow
path connecting a second inlet to a second outlet, a pump able to
pump fluid through at least a portion of the second flow path, and
at least two balancing chambers, each balancing chamber comprising
a rigid vessel containing a diaphragm dividing the rigid vessel
into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first
compartment of each balancing chamber being in fluidic
communication with the first flow path and the second compartment
being in fluidic communication with the second flow path.
[0035] In another set of embodiments, the cassette includes a first
flow path connecting a first inlet to a first outlet; a second flow
path connecting a second inlet to a second outlet; a control fluid
path; at least two pumps, each pump comprising a rigid vessel
containing a diaphragm dividing the rigid vessel into a first
compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment of each
pump being in fluidic communication with the control fluid path and
the second compartment being in fluidic communication with the
second flow path; and a balancing chamber able to balance flow
between the first flow path and the second flow path.
[0036] The cassette, in still another set of embodiments, includes
a first flow path connecting a first inlet to a first outlet, a
second flow path connecting a second inlet to a second outlet, and
a rigid vessel containing a diaphragm dividing the rigid vessel
into a first compartment and a second compartment. In some cases,
the first compartment are in fluidic communication with the first
fluid path and the second compartment being in fluidic
communication with the second flow path.
[0037] Still another aspect of the invention is generally directed
at a pump. The pump includes, in one set of embodiments, a first
rigid component; a second rigid component, the second rigid
component having on a side facing the first plate a groove defined
therein, the groove being open in a direction facing the first
rigid component; and a diaphragm having a rim, the rim being held
in the groove by a friction fit in the groove but without contact
by the first rigid component against the rim. In some cases, the
first and second rigid components define, at least partially, a
pod-pump chamber divided by the diaphragm into separate chambers,
and further define, at least partially, flow paths into the
pod-pump chamber, wherein the groove surrounds the pod-pump
chamber.
[0038] In another set of embodiments, the pump includes a
substantially spherical vessel containing a flexible diaphragm
dividing the rigid vessel into a first compartment and a second
compartment, the first compartment and the second compartment not
in fluidic communication with each other, whereby movement of the
diaphragm due to fluid entering the first compartment causes
pumping of fluid within the second compartment to occur.
[0039] In another set of embodiments, the pump is a reciprocating
positive-displacement pump. In one embodiment, the pump includes a
rigid chamber wall; a flexible diaphragm attached to the rigid
chamber wall, so that the flexible diaphragm and rigid chamber wall
define a pumping chamber; an inlet for directing flow through the
rigid chamber wall into the pumping chamber; an outlet for
directing flow through the rigid chamber wall out of the pumping
chamber; a rigid limit wall for limiting movement of the diaphragm
and limiting the maximum volume of the pumping chamber, the
flexible diaphragm and the rigid limit wall forming an actuation
chamber; a pneumatic actuation system that intermittently provides
a control pressure to the actuation chamber. In some cases, the
pneumatic actuation system includes an actuation-chamber pressure
transducer for measuring the pressure of the actuation chamber, a
gas reservoir having a first pressure, a variable valve mechanism
for variably restricting gas flowing between the actuation chamber
and the gas reservoir, and a controller that receives pressure
information from the actuation-chamber pressure transducer and
controls the variable valve so as to create the control pressure in
the actuation chamber, the control pressure being less than the
first pressure.
[0040] Still another aspect of the invention is directed to a
method. The method, in one set of embodiments, includes acts of
providing a first pump comprising a pumping chamber and an
actuation chamber, and a second pump comprising a pumping chamber
and an actuation chamber, urging a common fluid into the actuation
chambers of each of the first and second pumps, and pressurizing
the common fluid to pump fluids through each of the first and
second pumps.
[0041] In another set of embodiments, the method includes acts of
providing a first valve comprising a valving chamber and an
actuation chamber, and a second valve comprising a valving chamber
and an actuation chamber, urging a common fluid into the actuation
chambers of each of the first and second valves, and pressurizing
the common fluid to at least partially inhibit fluid flow through
each of the first and second valves.
[0042] In yet another set of embodiments, the method is a method
for measuring the clearance of a dialyzer, the dialyzer being
located in a blood flow path, through which untreated blood can be
drawn from a patient and passed through the dialyzer, and in a
dialysate flow path, through which dialysate can flow from a
dialysate supply through the dialyzer, the blood flow path being
separated from the dialysate flow path by membranes in the
dialyzer. In one embodiment, the method includes acts of urging a
liquid through the dialysate flow path to the dialyzer, so as to
keep the membranes wet and prevent the flow of a gas through the
membranes, urging a gas through the blood flow path to the dialyzer
so as to fill the blood flow path in the dialyzer with the gas,
measuring the volume of gas in the dialyzer, and calculating the
clearance of the dialyzer based on the volume of gas measured in
the dialyzer.
[0043] The method, in still another set of embodiments, is a method
for measuring the clearance of a dialyzer. In one embodiment, the
method includes acts of applying a pressure differential across the
dialyzer, measuring the flow rate of the dialyzer, and determining
the clearance of the dialyzer based on the pressure differential
and the flow rate.
[0044] In yet another set of embodiments, the method is a method
for measuring the clearance of a dialyzer. In one embodiment, the
method includes acts of passing water through the dialyzer,
measuring the amount of ions collected by the water after passing
through the dialyzer, and determining the clearance of the dialyzer
based on the amount of ions collected by the water after passing
through the dialyzer. In another set of embodiments, the method
includes acts of passing water through the dialyzer, measuring the
conductivity of the water, and determining the clearance of the
dialyzer based on changes in the conductivity of the water.
[0045] In one set of embodiments, the method is a method for
introducing a fluid into blood. The method includes, in one
embodiment, acts of providing a cassette including an integrally
formed spike for receiving a vial of fluid, and a valving mechanism
for controlling flow of the fluid from the vial into the cassette,
attaching a vial containing the fluid to the spike, pumping blood
through the cassette, and introducing the fluid from the vial into
the blood.
[0046] In one set of embodiments, the method includes acts of
providing a hemodialysis system comprising a blood flow path
through which untreated blood is drawn from a patient and passed
through a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path through which
dialysate flows from a dialysate supply through the dialyzer,
putting the blood flow path and the dialysate flow path into
fluidic communication, and urging dialysate through the dialysate
flow path to cause blood in the blood flow path to pass into the
patient.
[0047] The method, in another set of embodiments, includes acts of
providing a hemodialysis system comprising a blood flow path
through which untreated blood is drawn from a patient and passed
through a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path through which
dialysate flows from a dialysate supply through the dialyzer,
putting the blood flow path and the dialysate flow path into
fluidic communication, and urging a gas into the dialysate flow
path to cause flow of blood in the blood flow path.
[0048] The method is a method of performing hemodialysis, in still
another set of embodiments. In one embodiment, the method includes
acts of providing a blood flow path, through which untreated blood
can be drawn from a patient and passed through a dialyzer;
providing a dialysate flow path, through which dialysate can flow
from a dialysate supply through the dialyzer; providing ingredients
for preparing a total volume of dialysate; providing water for
mixing with the dialysate ingredients; mixing a volume of water
with a portion of the ingredients so as to prepare a first partial
volume of dialysate, the first partial volume being less than the
total volume; pumping the partial volume of dialysate through the
dialysate flow path and through the dialyzer; pumping blood through
the blood flow path and through the dialyzer, while the first
partial volume of dialysate is being pumped to the dialyzer; and
mixing a volume of water with a portion of the ingredients so as to
prepare a second partial volume of dialysate and storing the second
partial volume of dialysate within a vessel while the blood and the
first partial volume of dialysate are pumped through the
dialyzer.
[0049] In another embodiment, the method includes acts of passing
blood from a patient and dialysate through a dialyzer contained
within a hemodialysis system at a first rate, and forming dialysate
within the hemodialysis system at a second rate that is
substantially different from the first rate, wherein excess
dialysate is stored within a vessel contained within the
hemodialysis system.
[0050] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a
hemodialysis system comprising a dialysis unit and a user interface
unit. The dialysis unit comprises an automation computer and
dialysis equipment. The user interface unit comprises a user
interface computer and a user interface, the user interface being
adapted to display information and receive inputs. The automation
computer is configured to receive requests for safety-critical
information from the user interface computer and to access the
safety-critical information on behalf of the user interface
computer. The user interface computer is configured to display
information related to a dialysis process via the user interface
using the safety-critical information.
[0051] A further aspect of the invention is directed to a method of
managing a user interface in a hemodialysis system. The method
comprises receiving an input related to a dialysis process at a
user interface associated with a user interface computer and, in
response to the input, transmitting a request for safety-critical
information from the user interface computer to an automation
computer associated with dialysis equipment. The method further
comprises accessing the safety-critical information on behalf of
the user interface computer and, using the safety-critical
information, displaying information related to the dialysis process
via the user interface.
[0052] Still another aspect of the invention is directed to a
computer storage media encoded with instructions that, when
executed, perform a method. The method comprising acts of
receiving, from a user interface associated with a user interface
computer, an input related to a dialysis process and, in response
to the input, transmitting a request for safety-critical
information from the user interface computer to an automation
computer associated with dialysis equipment. The method further
comprises accessing the safety-critical information on behalf of
the user interface computer, transmitting the safety-critical
information to the user interface computer, accessing screen design
information stored within the user interface computer and, using
the safety-critical information and the screen design information,
causing the user interface to display information related to the
dialysis process.
[0053] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method of making one or more of the embodiments described herein,
for example, a hemodialysis system. In another aspect, the present
invention is directed to a method of using one or more of the
embodiments described herein, for example, a hemodialysis
system.
[0054] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of
various non-limiting embodiments of the invention when considered
in conjunction with the accompanying figures. In cases where the
present specification and a document incorporated by reference
include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present
specification shall control. If two or more documents incorporated
by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure
with respect to each other, then the document having the later
effective date shall control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component
illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For
purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every
figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention
shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the
figures:
[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a hemodialysis
system;
[0057] FIGS. 2A-2B are high-level schematics of various embodiments
of a dialysis system;
[0058] FIGS. 3A-3B are schematics showing an example of a fluid
schematic for a dialysis system;
[0059] FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic representations of various
embodiments of a blood flow circuit that may be used in a
hemodialysis system;
[0060] FIGS. 4C-4D are perspective and side views, respectively, of
the air trap shown in FIG. 4A;
[0061] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a
balancing circuit that may be used in a hemodialysis system;
[0062] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a directing circuit
that may be used in a hemodialysis system;
[0063] FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic representations of mixing circuits
that may be used in a hemodialysis system;
[0064] FIGS. 8A-8C are graphical representations of phase
relationships;
[0065] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a valve that may be
incorporated into embodiments of the fluid-control cassettes;
[0066] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a pod-pump that may be
incorporated into embodiments of the fluid-control cassettes;
[0067] FIGS. 11A-11B are schematic views of various pneumatic
control system for a pod pump;
[0068] FIG. 12 is a graph showing how pressures applied to a pod
pump may be controlled;
[0069] FIGS. 13A-13B are graphical representations of occlusion
detection;
[0070] FIG. 14 is a diagram of one embodiment of a control
algorithm;
[0071] FIG. 15 is a diagram of one embodiment of the controller's
standard discrete PI regulator;
[0072] FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a dual-housing
cassette arrangement according to one embodiment;
[0073] FIGS. 17A-17C are schematics relating to the priming of a
portion of a system, in one embodiment of the invention;
[0074] FIGS. 18A-18B illustrate the fluid flow of dialysate from a
dialysate tank, through the dialyzer and out to drain in one
embodiment of the invention;
[0075] FIG. 19 illustrates emptying of a dialysate tank, in another
embodiment of the invention;
[0076] FIG. 20 illustrates the purging of the system with air at
the end of treatment according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0077] FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate the drawing of air in an
anticoagulant pump, in still another embodiment of the
invention;
[0078] FIGS. 22A-22D illustrate integrity tests according to
certain embodiments of the invention;
[0079] FIG. 23 illustrates a recirculating flow path, in another
embodiment of the invention;
[0080] FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate the priming of a system with
dialysate, in yet another embodiment of the invention;
[0081] FIG. 25 illustrates the priming of an anticoagulant pump, in
still another embodiment of the invention;
[0082] FIGS. 26A-26F illustrate the removal of dialysate from a
blood flow circuit, in one embodiment of the invention;
[0083] FIGS. 27A-27C illustrate the delivery of a bolus of
anticoagulant to a patient, in another embodiment of the
invention;
[0084] FIG. 28 illustrates solution infusion, in one embodiment of
the invention;
[0085] FIGS. 29A-29B are schematic representations showing how an
emergency rinse-back procedure can be implemented;
[0086] FIGS. 30A and 30B are isometric and top views of an outer
top plate of an exemplary embodiment of the cassette;
[0087] FIGS. 30C and 30D are isometric and top views of an inner
top plate of an exemplary embodiment of the cassette;
[0088] FIG. 30E is a side view of the top plate of an exemplary
embodiment of an cassette;
[0089] FIGS. 31A and 31B are isometric and top views of the liquid
side of a midplate according to an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette;
[0090] FIGS. 31C and 31D are isometric and top views of the air
side of a midplate according to an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette;
[0091] FIGS. 32A and 32B are isometric and top views of the inner
side of a bottom plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette;
[0092] FIGS. 32C and 32D are isometric and top views of the outer
side of a bottom plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette;
[0093] FIG. 32E is a side view of a bottom plate according to an
exemplary embodiment of the cassette;
[0094] FIG. 33A is a top view of an assembled exemplary embodiment
of a cassette with a vial attached;
[0095] FIG. 33B is a bottom view of an assembled exemplary
embodiment of a cassette with a vial attached;
[0096] FIG. 33C is an exploded view of an assembled exemplary
embodiment of a cassette with a vial;
[0097] FIG. 33D is an exploded view of an assembled exemplary
embodiment of a cassette with a vial;
[0098] FIG. 34A is an isometric bottom view of an exemplary
embodiment of the midplate of an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette;
[0099] FIG. 34B is an isometric top view of the midplate of an
exemplary embodiment of a cassette;
[0100] FIG. 34C is an isometric bottom view of an exemplary
embodiment of the midplate of a cassette;
[0101] FIG. 34D is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
midplate of a cassette;
[0102] FIGS. 35A-35B are isometric and top views of an exemplary
embodiment of the top plate of an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette;
[0103] FIGS. 35C-35D are isometric views of an exemplary embodiment
of the top plate of an exemplary embodiment of the cassette;
[0104] FIG. 35E is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
top plate of a cassette;
[0105] FIGS. 36A and 36B are isometric bottom views of an exemplary
embodiment of the bottom plate of an exemplary embodiment of a
cassette;
[0106] FIGS. 36C and 36D are isometric top views of an exemplary
embodiment of the bottom plate of an exemplary embodiment of a
cassette;
[0107] FIG. 36E is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
bottom plate of an exemplary embodiment of a cassette;
[0108] FIG. 37 is an isometric front view of an exemplary
embodiment of the actuation side of the midplate of a cassette with
the valves indicated corresponding to FIG. 36;
[0109] FIG. 38A is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the outer
top plate of a cassette;
[0110] FIG. 38B is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the inner
top plate of a cassette;
[0111] FIG. 38C is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
top plate of a cassette;
[0112] FIG. 39A is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the fluid
side of the midplate of a cassette;
[0113] FIG. 39B is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the
air side of the midplate of a cassette;
[0114] FIG. 39C is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
midplate of a cassette;
[0115] FIG. 40A is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the inner
side of the bottom plate of a cassette;
[0116] FIG. 40B is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the outer
side of the bottom plate of a cassette;
[0117] FIG. 40C is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
midplate of a cassette;
[0118] FIGS. 41A and 41B are isometric and front views of an
exemplary embodiment of the outer top plate of an exemplary
embodiment of a cassette;
[0119] FIGS. 41C and 41D are isometric and front views of an
exemplary embodiment of the inner top plate of a cassette;
[0120] FIG. 41E is a side view of the top plate of an exemplary
embodiment of a cassette;
[0121] FIGS. 42A and 42B are isometric and front views of an
exemplary embodiment of the liquid side of the midplate of a
cassette;
[0122] FIGS. 42C and 42D are isometric and front views of an
exemplary embodiment of the air side of the midplate of a
cassette;
[0123] FIG. 42E is a side view of the midplate according to an
exemplary embodiment of a cassette;
[0124] FIGS. 43A and 43B are isometric and front views of the inner
side of a bottom plate according to an exemplary embodiment of a
cassette;
[0125] FIGS. 43C and 43D are isometric and front views of an
exemplary embodiment of the outer side of the bottom plate of a
cassette;
[0126] FIG. 43E is a side view of a bottom plate according to an
exemplary embodiment of a cassette;
[0127] FIG. 44A is a top view of an assembled exemplary embodiment
of a cassette;
[0128] FIG. 44B is a bottom view of an assembled exemplary
embodiment of a cassette;
[0129] FIG. 44C is an exploded view of an assembled exemplary
embodiment of a cassette;
[0130] FIG. 44D is an exploded view of an assembled exemplary
embodiment of a cassette;
[0131] FIG. 45 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of an assembled cassette;
[0132] FIG. 46A is a front view of the assembled exemplary
embodiment of the cassette system;
[0133] FIG. 46B is an isometric view of the assembled exemplary
embodiment of the cassette system;
[0134] FIG. 46C is an isometric view of the assembled exemplary
embodiment of the cassette system;
[0135] FIG. 46D is an exploded view of the assembled exemplary
embodiment of the cassette system;
[0136] FIG. 46E is an exploded view of the assembled exemplary
embodiment of the cassette system;
[0137] FIG. 47A is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
the pod of the cassette system;
[0138] FIG. 47B is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
the pod of the cassette system;
[0139] FIG. 47C is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
pod of the cassette system;
[0140] FIG. 47D is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
one half of the pod of the cassette system;
[0141] FIG. 47E is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
one half of the pod of the cassette system;
[0142] FIG. 48A is a pictorial view of the exemplary embodiment of
the pod membrane of the cassette system;
[0143] FIG. 48B is a pictorial view of the exemplary embodiment of
the pod membrane of the cassette system;
[0144] FIG. 49 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of
the pod of the cassette system;
[0145] FIG. 50A is an exploded view of one embodiment of a check
valve fluid line in the cassette system;
[0146] FIG. 50B is an exploded view of one embodiment of a check
valve fluid line in the cassette system;
[0147] FIG. 50C is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
a fluid line in the cassette system;
[0148] FIG. 51A is one embodiment of the fluid flow-path schematic
of the cassette system integrated;
[0149] FIG. 51B is one embodiment of the fluid flow-path schematic
of the cassette system integrated;
[0150] FIGS. 52A-52F are various views of one embodiment of the
block for connecting the pneumatic tubes to the manifold according
to one embodiment of the present system;
[0151] FIG. 53 is a view of another exemplary sensor manifold;
[0152] FIG. 54 is a view of the fluid paths within the exemplary
sensor manifold shown in FIG. 53;
[0153] FIG. 55 is a side view of the exemplary sensor manifold
shown in FIG. 53;
[0154] FIG. 56A is a cross sectional view of the exemplary sensor
manifold shown in FIG. 53 at cross section A-A of FIG. 56B;
[0155] FIG. 56B is a front view of the exemplary sensor manifold
shown in FIG. 53;
[0156] FIG. 57 is an exploded view of the exemplary sensor manifold
shown in FIG. 53;
[0157] FIG. 58 is a view of a printed circuit board and media edge
connector in accordance with the exemplary sensor manifold shown in
FIG. 53;
[0158] FIG. 59 is an exemplary fluid schematic of a hemodialysis
system;
[0159] FIG. 60 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
a user interface/treatment device combination;
[0160] FIG. 61 is a schematic view of an exemplary hardware
configuration for each of the dialysis unit and the user interface
unit shown in FIG. 60;
[0161] FIG. 62 is a schematic view showing exemplary software
processes that may execute on the automation computer and user
interface computer shown in FIG. 61;
[0162] FIG. 63 is a schematic view showing an exemplary flow of
information between and among the hardware and software components
of the user interface computer and automation computer;
[0163] FIG. 64 is a schematic view of an exemplary hierarchical
state machine (HSM) that may be used by the UI Controller shown in
FIG. 63; and
[0164] FIG. 65 is a schematic view of normal screen displays and
alarm screen displays that may be displayed by the user interface
shown in FIG. 61.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0165] The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and
similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and
methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or
more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed
to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. In one set of embodiments, a
hemodialysis system may include a blood flow path and a dialysate
flow path, where the dialysate flow path includes one or more of a
balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit.
Preparation of dialysate by the mixing circuit, in some instances,
may be decoupled from patient dialysis. In some cases, the circuits
are defined, at least partially, within one or more cassettes,
optionally interconnected with conduits, pumps, or the like. In one
embodiment, the fluid circuits and/or the various fluid flow paths
may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally,
from electrical components of the hemodialysis system. In some
cases, a gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the
dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer that, when activated, is
able to urge dialysate to pass through the dialyzer and urge blood
in the blood flow path back to the patient. Such a system may be
useful, for example, in certain emergency situations (e.g., a power
failure) where it is desirable to return as much blood to the
patient as possible. The hemodialysis system may also include, in
another aspect of the invention, one or more fluid handling
devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, or the like, which can be
actuated using a control fluid, such as air. In some cases, the
control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using
an external pump or other device, which may be detachable in
certain instances. In one embodiment, one or more of the fluid
handling devices may be generally rigid (e.g., having a spheroid
shape), optionally with a diaphragm contained within the device,
dividing it into first and second compartments.
[0166] Various aspects of the present invention are generally
directed to new systems for hemodialysis and the like, such as
hemofiltration systems, hemodiafiltration systems, plasmapheresis
systems, etc. Accordingly, although the various systems and methods
described herein are described in relation to hemodialysis, it
should be understood that the various systems and method described
herein are applicable to other dialysis systems and/or in any
extracorporeal system able to treat blood or other bodily fluids,
such as plasma.
[0167] As discussed above, a hemodialysis system typically includes
a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path. It should be noted
that within such flow paths, the flow of fluid is not necessarily
linear, and there may be any number of "branches" within the flow
path that a fluid can flow from an inlet of the flow path to an
outlet of the flow path. Examples of such branching are discussed
in detail below. In the blood flow path, blood is drawn from a
patient, and is passed through a dialyzer, before being returned to
the patient. The blood is treated by the dialyzer, and waste
molecules (e.g., urea, creatinine, etc.) and water are passed from
the blood, through a semi-permeable membrane in the dialyzer, into
a dialysate solution that passes through the dialyzer by the
dialysate flow path. In various embodiments, blood may be drawn
from the patient from two lines (e.g., an arterial line and a
venous line, i.e., "dual needle" flow), or in some cases, blood may
be drawn from the patient and returned through the same needle
(e.g., the two lines may both be present within the same needle,
i.e., "single needle" flow). In still other embodiments, a "Y" site
or "T" site is used, where blood is drawn from the patient and
returned to the patient through one patient connection having two
branches (one being the fluid path for the drawn blood, the second
the fluid path for the return blood). In an embodiment, a "Y" or
"T" connection can be made with a single-lumen needle or catheter.
In another embodiment, a "dual needle" flow effect can be obtained
with the use of a single catheter or needle having dual lumens. The
patient may be any subject in need of hemodialysis or similar
treatments, although typically the patient is a human. However,
hemodialysis may be performed on non-human subjects, such as dogs,
cats, monkeys, and the like.
[0168] In the dialysate flow path, fresh dialysate is prepared and
is passed through the dialyzer to treat the blood from the blood
flow path. The dialysate may also be equalized for blood treatment
within the dialyzer (i.e., the pressure between the dialysate and
the blood are equalized), i.e., the pressure of dialysate through
the dialyzer is closely matched to the pressure of blood through
the dialyzer, often exactly, or in some embodiments, at least
within about 1% or about 2% of the pressure of the blood. In some
cases, it may be desirable to maintain a greater pressure
difference (either positive or negative) between the blood flow
path and dialysate flow path. After passing through the dialyzer,
the used dialysate, containing waste molecules (as discussed
below), is discarded in some fashion. In some cases, the dialysate
is heated prior to treatment of the blood within the dialyzer using
an appropriate heater, such as an electrical resistive heater. The
dialysate may also be filtered to remove contaminants, infectious
organisms, debris, and the like, for instance, using an
ultrafilter. The ultrafilter may have a mesh or pore size chosen to
prevent species such as these from passing therethrough. For
instance, the mesh or pore size may be less than about 0.3
micrometers, less than about 0.2 micrometers, less than about 0.1
micrometers, or less than about 0.05 micrometers, etc. The
dialysate is used to draw waste molecules (e.g., urea, creatinine,
ions such as potassium, phosphate, etc.) and water from the blood
into the dialysate through osmosis or convective transport, and
dialysate solutions are well-known to those of ordinary skill in
the art.
[0169] The dialysate typically contains various ions such as sodium
chloride, bicarbonate, potassium and calcium that are similar in
concentration to that of normal blood. In some cases, the
bicarbonate, may be at a concentration somewhat higher than found
in normal blood. Typically, the dialysate is prepared by mixing
water from a water supply with one or more ingredients: an "acid"
(which may contain various species such as acetic acid, dextrose,
NaCl, CaCl, KCl, MgCl, etc.), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO.sub.3),
and/or sodium chloride (NaCl). The preparation of dialysate,
including using the appropriate concentrations of salts,
osmolarity, pH, and the like, is well-known to those of ordinary
skill in the art. As discussed in detail below, the dialysate need
not be prepared at the same rate that the dialysate is used to
treat the blood. For instance, the dialysate can be made
concurrently or prior to dialysis, and stored within a dialysate
storage vessel or the like.
[0170] Within the dialyzer, the dialysate and the blood typically
do not come into physical contact with each other, and are
separated by a semi-permeable membrane. Typically, the
semipermeable membrane is formed from a polymer such as cellulose,
polyarylethersulfone, polyamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone,
polycarbonate, polyacrylonitrile, or the like, which allows the
transport of ions or small molecules (e.g., urea, water, etc.), but
does not allow bulk transport or convection during treatment of the
blood. In some cases, even larger molecules, such as
beta-2-microglobulin, may pass through the membrane. In other
cases, convective transfer of fluid, ions and small molecules can
occur, for example, when there is a hydrostatic pressure difference
across the semi-permeable membrane.
[0171] The dialysate and the blood do not come into contact with
each other in the dialyzer, and are usually separated by the
membrane. Often, the dialyzer is constructed according to a
"shell-and-tube" design comprising a plurality of individual tubes
or fibers (through which blood flows), formed from the
semipermeable membrane, surrounded by a larger "shell" through
which the dialysate flows (or vice versa in some cases). Flow of
the dialysate and the blood through the dialyzer can be
countercurrent, or concurrent in some instances. Dialyzers are
well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are
obtainable from a number of different commercial sources.
[0172] In one aspect, the dialysate flow path can be divided into
one or more circuits, such as a balancing circuit, a mixing
circuit, and/or a directing circuit. It should be noted that a
circuit, in reference to fluid flow, is not necessarily fluidically
isolated, i.e., fluid may flow into a fluid circuit and out of a
fluid circuit. Similarly, a fluid may pass from one fluid circuit
to another fluid circuit when the fluid circuits are in fluid
communication or are fluidly connected to each other. It should be
noted that, as used herein, "Fluid" means anything having fluidic
properties, including but not limited to, gases such as air, and
liquids such as water, aqueous solution, blood, dialysate, etc.
[0173] A fluid circuit is typically a well-defined module that
receives a certain number of fluid inputs and in some cases
performs one or more tasks on the fluid inputs, before directing
the fluids to appropriate outputs. In certain embodiments of the
invention, as discussed below, the fluid circuit is defined as a
cassette. As a specific example, a dialysate flow path may include
a balancing circuit, a directing circuit, and a mixing circuit. As
another example, a blood flow path may include a blood flow
circuit. Within the balancing circuit, dialysate is introduced into
the balancing circuit and pumps operate on the dialysate such that
the pressure of dialysate passing through the dialyzer balances the
pressure of blood passing through the dialysate, as previously
discussed. Similarly, within the directing circuit, fresh dialysate
is passed from the mixing circuit to the balancing circuit, while
used dialysate is passed from the balancing circuit to a drain.
Within the mixing circuit, ingredients and water are mixed together
to form fresh dialysate. The blood flow circuit is used to draw
blood from the patient, pass the blood through a dialyzer, and
return the blood to the patient. These circuits will be discussed
in detail below.
[0174] An example of a hemodialysis system having such fluid
circuits is illustrated schematically in FIG. 2A as a high-level
overview. FIG. 2A illustrates a dialysis system 5 that includes a
blood flow circuit 10, through which blood passes from a patient to
a dialyzer 14, and through which treated blood returns to the
patient. The hemodialysis system in this example also includes a
balancing circuit or an internal dialysate circuit 143, which takes
dialysate after it passes through an ultrafilter 73 and passes the
dialysate through dialyzer 14, with used dialysate returning to
balancing circuit 143 from dialyzer 14. A directing circuit or an
external dialysate circuit 142 handles fresh dialysate before it
passes through ultrafilter 73. A mixing circuit 25 prepares
dialysate, for instance, on an as-needed basis, during and/or in
advance of dialysis, etc., using various ingredients 49 and water.
The directing circuit 142 can also receive water from a water
supply 30 and pass it to mixing circuit 25 for preparation of the
dialysate, and the directing circuit 142 can also receive used
dialysate from balancing circuit 143 and pass it out of system 5 as
waste via drain 31. Also shown, in dotted lines, are conduits 67
that can be connected between blood flow circuit 10, and directing
circuit 142, e.g., for disinfection of the hemodialysis system. In
one set of embodiments, one or more of these circuits (e.g., the
blood flow circuit, the balancing circuit, the directing circuit,
and/or the mixing circuit) may include a cassette incorporating the
valves and pumps needed for controlling flow through that portion.
Examples of such systems are discussed in detail below.
[0175] FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of a hemodialysis
system according to one embodiment of the invention. In this
schematic, a blood flow cassette 22 is used to control flow through
the blood flow circuit 10, and a dialysate cassette 21 is used to
control flow through the dialysate circuit. The blood flow cassette
includes at least one inlet valve 24 (in other embodiments, more
than one inlet valve is included) to control the flow of blood
through cassette 22 as well as an anticoagulant valve or pump 12 to
control the flow of anticoagulant into the blood, and a blood flow
pump 13, which may include a pair of pod pumps in some cases. These
pod pumps may be of the type (or variations of the type) as
described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/792,073, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled "Extracorporeal Thermal
Therapy Systems and Methods"; or in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/787,212, filed Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,292,594 on Oct. 23, 2012, entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems,
Devices and Methods," each of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety. All the pumps and valves in this example system may be
controlled by a control system, e.g., an electronic and digital
control system, although other control systems are possible in
other embodiments.
[0176] Providing two pod pumps may allow for a more continuous flow
of blood through the blood flow circuit 10; however, a single pod
pump, such as a single pod pump may be used in other embodiments.
The pod pumps may include active inlet and outlet valves (instead
of passive check valves at their inlets and outlets) so that flow
in the blood flow circuit 10 may be reversed under some conditions.
For instance, by reversing flow in the blood flow circuit, the
hemodialysis system can check whether the outlet of the blood flow
circuit is properly connected to the patient so that the treated
blood is correctly returned to the patient. If, for example, the
patient connection point has been disconnected, e.g., by falling
out, reversing the blood flow pump would draw air rather than
blood. This air can be detected by standard air detectors
incorporated into the system.
[0177] In another embodiment, blood outlet valve 26 and air
trap/filter 19, which are located downstream of the dialyzer, may
be incorporated into blood flow cassette 22. The pod pumps and all
the valves (including the valves associated with the pod pumps'
inlets and outlets) in the blood flow cassette 22 may be actuated
pneumatically. Sources of positive and negative gas pressure in one
embodiment, are provided by a base unit holding cassette or other
device holding the cassette. However, in other embodiments, the
positive and negative gas pressure may be provided by an external
device fluidly connected to the cassettes, or any device build into
the system The pump chamber may be actuated in the manner described
in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/792,073, filed
Apr. 14, 2006, entitled "Extracorporeal Thermal Therapy Systems and
Methods"; or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/787,212, filed
Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,594 on Oct. 23,
2012, entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems, Devices and Methods,"
referred to hereinabove. For instance, the pumps may be controlled
and the end of stroke detected in the manner described below. The
blood flow cassette 22 may also contain an integrally formed spike
for receiving a vial of anticoagulant.
[0178] The anticoagulant pump, in one embodiment, includes three
fluid valves (which may be controlled with a control fluid) and a
single pumping compartment (although there may be more than one
pumping compartment in other embodiments. The valves may connect
the compartment to a filtered air vent, to a vial of anticoagulant
(or other anticoagulant supply, such as a bag or a bottle, etc.),
or to the blood flow path. The anticoagulant pump can be operated
by sequencing the opening and closing of the fluid valves and
controlling the pressure in the pump compartment, e.g., via the
control fluid. When the anticoagulant is removed from the vial it
may be replaced with an equal volume of air, e.g., to keep pressure
within the vial relatively constant. This replacement of
anticoagulant volume with air may be accomplished, for example, by
(i) opening the valve from the filtered air vent to the pump
compartment, (ii) drawing air into the compartment by connecting
the negative pressure source to the chamber, (iii) closing the air
vent valve, (iv) opening the valve connecting the compartment to
the vial, and (v) pushing air into the vial by connecting the
positive pressure source to the compartment. The anticoagulant can
be pumped from the vial into the blood flow path with a similar
sequence, using the valves to the vial and the blood path rather
than the valves to the air vent and the vial.
[0179] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a specific embodiment
of the general overview shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A shows, in detail,
how a blood flow circuit 141, a balancing circuit 143, a directing
circuit 142, and a mixing circuit 25 can be implemented on
cassettes and made to interrelate with each other and to a dialyzer
14, an ultrafilter 73, and/or a heater 72, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. It should be understood, of course,
that FIG. 3A is only one possible embodiment of the general
hemodialysis system of FIG. 2A, and in other embodiments, other
fluid circuits, modules, flow paths, layouts, etc. are possible.
Examples of such systems are discussed in more detail below, and
also can be found in the following, each of which is incorporated
herein by reference: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/903,582, filed Feb. 27, 2007, entitled "Hemodialysis System and
Methods"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/904,024,
filed Feb. 27, 2007, entitled "Hemodialysis System and Methods";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,680, filed Oct. 12, 2007
and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,049 on Sep. 25, 2012, entitled
"Pumping Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,712,
filed Oct. 12, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,492 on Nov.
27, 2012, entitled "Pumping Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/871,787, filed Oct. 12, 2007, entitled "Pumping Cassette";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,793, filed Oct. 12, 2007,
entitled "Pumping Cassette"; or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/871,803, filed Oct. 12, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,967,022 on Jun. 28, 2011, entitled "Cassette System Integrated
Apparatus."
[0180] The components in FIG. 3A will be discussed in detail below.
Briefly, blood flow circuit 141 includes an anticoagulant supply 11
and a blood flow pump 13 which pumps blood from a patient to a
dialyzer 14. The anticoagulant supply 11, although shown in the
path of blood flowing towards the dialyzer, in other embodiments,
may be instead located in the path of blood flowing towards the
patient, or in another suitable location, such as upstream or
downstream of blood flow pump 13. The anticoagulant supply 11 may
be placed in any location downstream from blood flow pump 13.
Balancing circuit 143 includes two dialysate pumps 15, which also
pump dialysate into dialyzer 14, and a bypass pump 35. Directing
circuit 142 includes a dialysate pump 159, which pumps dialysate
from dialysate tank 169 through heater 72 and/or ultrafilter 73 to
the balancing circuit. Directing circuit 142 also takes waste fluid
from balancing circuit 143 and directs it to a drain 31. In some
cases, the blood flow circuit 141 can be connected via conduits 67
to directing circuit 142, e.g., for disinfection, as discussed
below. Dialysate flows into dialysate tank 169 from a dialysate
supply. In one embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 3A, the dialysate is
produced in mixing circuit 25. Water from water supply 30 flows
through directing circuit 142 into mixing circuit 25. Dialysate
ingredients 49 (e.g., bicarbonate and acid) are also added into
mixing circuit 25, and a series of mixing pumps 180, 183, 184 are
used to produce the dialysate, which is then sent to directing
circuit 142.
[0181] In this example system, one of the fluid circuits is a blood
flow circuit, e.g., blood flow circuit 141 in FIG. 3A. In the blood
flow circuit, blood from a patient is pumped through a dialyzer and
then is returned to the patient. In some cases, blood flow circuit
is implemented on a cassette, as discussed below, although it need
not be. The flow of blood through the blood flow circuit, in some
cases, is balanced with the flow of dialysate flowing through the
dialysate flow path, especially through the dialyzer and the
balancing circuit.
[0182] One example of a blood flow circuit is shown in FIG. 4A.
Generally, blood flows from a patient through arterial line 203 via
blood flow pump 13 to dialyzer 14 (the direction of flow during
normal dialysis is indicated by arrows 205; in some modes of
operation, however, the flow may be in different directions, as
discussed below). Optionally, an anticoagulant may be introduced
into the blood via anticoagulant pump 80 from an anticoagulant
supply. As shown in FIG. 4A, the anticoagulant can enter the blood
flow path after the blood has passed through blood flow pump 13;
however, the anticoagulant may be added in any suitable location
along the blood flow path in other embodiments. For example, in
FIG. 4B, the anticoagulant enters the blood flow path before the
blood has passed through blood flow pump 13. This may be useful,
for example, if a blood pump cassette of the type shown in FIGS.
30C-33D is used, and blood flow is directed to cause blood to enter
at the top of the cassette, and exit at the bottom of the cassette.
The blood pump chambers can thus additionally serve to trap air
that may be present in the blood before it is pumped to the
dialyzer. In other embodiments, anticoagulant supply 11 may be
located anywhere downstream from the blood flow pump. After passing
through dialyzer 14 and undergoing dialysis, the blood returns to
the patient through venous line 204, optionally passing through air
trap and/or a blood sample port 19.
[0183] As is shown in FIG. 4A, blood flow cassette 141 also
includes one or more blood flow pumps 13 for moving blood through
the blood flow cassette. The pumps may be, for instance, pumps that
are actuated by a control fluid, such as is discussed below. For
instance, in one embodiment, pump 13 may comprise two (or more) pod
pumps, e.g., pod pumps 23 in FIG. 4A. Each pod pump, in this
particular example, may include a rigid chamber with a flexible
diaphragm or membrane dividing each chamber into a fluid
compartment and control compartment. There are four entry/exit
valves on these compartments, two on the fluid compartment and two
on the control compartment. The valves on the control compartment
of the chambers may be two-way proportional valves, one connected
to a first control fluid source (e.g., a high pressure air source),
and the other connected to a second control fluid source (e.g., a
low pressure air source) or a vacuum sink. The fluid valves on the
compartments can be opened and closed to direct fluid flow when the
pod pumps are pumping. Non-limiting examples of pod pumps are
described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/792,073, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled "Extracorporeal Thermal
Therapy Systems and Methods"; or in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/787,212, filed Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,292,594 on Oct. 23, 2012, entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems,
Devices and Methods," each incorporated herein by reference.
Further details of the pod pumps are discussed below. If more than
one pod pump is present, the pod pumps may be operated in any
suitable fashion, e.g., synchronously, asynchronously, in-phase,
out-of-phase, etc.
[0184] For instance, in some embodiments, the two-pump pumps can be
cycled out of phase to affect the pumping cycle, e.g., one pump
chamber fills while the second pump chamber empties. A phase
relationship anywhere between 0.degree. (the pod pumps act in the
same direction, filling and emptying in unison) and 180.degree.
(the pod pumps act in opposite directions, in which one pod pump
fills as the other empties) can be selected in order to impart any
desired pumping cycle.
[0185] A phase relationship of 180.degree. may yield continuous
flow into and out of the pod pump cassette. This is useful, for
instance, when continuous flow is desired, e.g., for use with dual
needle flow or a "Y" or "T" connection. Setting a phase
relationship of 0.degree., however, may be useful in some cases for
single needle flow, in situations in which a "Y" or "T" connection
is made with a single needle or single lumen catheter, or in other
cases. In a 0.degree. relationship, the pod pumps will first fill
from the needle, then deliver blood through the blood flow path and
back to the patient using the same needle. In addition, running at
phases between 0.degree. and 180.degree. can be used in some cases,
to achieve a push/pull relationship (hemodiafiltration or
continuous back flush) across the dialyzer. FIGS. 8A-8C are
graphical representations of examples of such phase relationships.
In these figures, the volume or flow of each pod pump, the volumes
of each pod pumps, and the total hold up volume of both pod pumps
is shown as a function of time. These times and flow rates are
arbitrarily chosen, and are presented here to illustrate the
relationships between the pod pumps at different phasings. For
instance, at a 180.degree. phase relationship (FIG. 8B), the total
hold up volume remains substantially constant.
[0186] In some cases, an anticoagulant (e.g., heparin, or any other
anticoagulant known to those of ordinary skill in the art) may be
mixed with the blood within blood flow cassette 141 as is shown in
FIG. 14. For instance, the anticoagulant may be contained within a
vial 11 (or other anticoagulant supply, such as a tube or a bag),
and blood flow cassette 141 may be able to receive the
anticoagulant vial with an integrally formed spike 201 (which, in
one embodiment, is a needle) that can pierce the seal of the vial.
The spike may be formed from plastic, stainless steel, or another
suitable material, and may be a sterilizable material in some
cases, e.g., the material may be able to withstand sufficiently
high temperatures and/or radiation so as to sterilize the material.
As an example, as is shown in FIG. 4A, spike 201 may be integrally
formed with a blood flow cassette 141, and a vial 11 can be placed
onto the spike, piercing the seal of the vial, such that
anticoagulant can flow into blood flow cassette to be mixed with
the blood in the blood flow path, or in some cases, mixed with
dialysate as discussed below.
[0187] A third pump 80, which can act as a metering chamber in some
cases, in blood flow cassette 141 can be used to control the flow
of anticoagulant into the blood within the cassette. Third pump 80
may be of the same or of a different design than pump 13. For
instance, third pump 80 may be a pod pump and/or third pump 80 may
be actuated by a control fluid, such as air. For example, third
pump 80 may be a membrane-based metering pump. For instance, as is
shown in FIG. 4A, third pump 80 may include a rigid chamber with a
flexible diaphragm dividing the chamber into a fluid compartment
and a control compartment. Valves on the control compartment of the
chamber may be connected to a first control fluid source (e.g., a
high pressure air source), and the other compartment connected to a
second control fluid source (e.g., a low pressure air source) or a
vacuum sink. Valves on the fluid compartment of the chamber can be
opened and closed in response to the control compartment, thus
controlling the flow of anticoagulant into the blood. Further
details of such a pod pump are discussed below. In one set of
embodiments, air may also be introduced into the blood flow path
through a filter 81, as discussed below.
[0188] Fluid Management System ("FMS") measurements may be used to
measure the volume of fluid pumped through a pump chamber during a
stroke of the membrane, or to detect air in the pumping chamber.
FMS methods are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,161; 4,826,482;
4,976,162; 5,088,515; and 5,350,357, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties. In some cases, the volume
of liquid delivered by an anticoagulant pump, a dialysate pump, or
other membrane-based pump is determined using an FMS algorithm in
which changes in chamber pressures are used to calculate a volume
measurement at the end of a fill stroke and at the end of a
delivery stroke. The difference between the computed volumes at the
end of a fill and delivery stroke is the actual stroke volume. This
actual stroke volume can be compared to an expected stroke volume
for the particular sized chamber. If the actual and expected
volumes are significantly different, the stroke has not properly
completed and an error message can be generated.
[0189] If stroke volumes are collected with a scale, the
calculation can be worked backwards to determine a calibration
value for the reference chamber. FMS systems can vent to atmosphere
for the FMS measurement. Alternatively, the system can vent to a
high pressure positive source and a low pressure negative source
for the FMS measurement. Doing so provides the following
advantages, amongst others: (1) if the high pressure source is a
pressure reservoir with a controlled pressure, there is an
opportunity to do a cross check on the pressure sensors of the
reservoir and chamber to ensure they are similar when the chamber
is being vented to the reservoir. This can be used to detect a
broken pressure sensor or a failed valve; (2) by using higher/lower
pressures to vent, there are larger pressure differences for the
FMS measurements so better resolution can be obtained.
[0190] Blood flow circuit 141 may also include an air trap 19
incorporated into blood flow circuit 141 in some cases. Air trap 19
may be used to remove air bubbles that may be present within the
blood flow path. In some cases, air trap 19 is able to separate any
air that may be present from the blood due to gravity. In some
cases, air trap 19 may also include a port for sampling blood. Air
traps are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0191] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the air
trap 19 is placed in the blood flow path after the blood exits the
dialyzer and before it is returned to the patient. As shown in
FIGS. 4C and 4D, air trap 19 may have a spherical or spheroid-shape
container 6, and have its inlet port 7 located near the top and
offset from the vertical axis of the container, and an outlet 9 at
a bottom of the container. The curved shape of the inside wall 4 of
the trap can thus direct the blood to circulate along the inside
wall as the blood gravitates to the bottom of the container,
facilitating the removal of air bubbles from the blood. Air present
in the blood exiting the outlet 9 of the dialyzer 14 will enter at
the top of the air trap 19 and remain at the top of the container
as blood flows out the outlet at the bottom and to the venous blood
line 204. By locating the inlet port 7 near the top of trap 19, it
is also possible to circulate blood through the trap with minimal
or no air present within the container (as a "run-full" air trap).
The ability to avoid an air-blood interface for routine circulation
of blood in the trap can be advantageous. Placing the inlet port 7
at or near the top of the container also allows most or all of the
air present in the trap to be removed from the trap by reversing
the flow of fluid through the blood tubing (i.e. from the bottom to
the top of the trap 19, exiting through the inlet port of the trap
19). In an embodiment, a self-sealing port 3, such as a
self-sealing stopper with a split septum or membrane, or another
arrangement, is located at the top of the trap, allowing the
withdrawal of air from the container (e.g., by syringe). The
blood-side surface of the self-sealing membrane can be situated
nearly flush with the top of the interior of the trap, in order to
facilitate cleaning of the self-sealing port during disinfection.
The self-sealing port 3 can also serve as a blood sampling site,
and/or to allow the introduction of liquids, drugs or other
compounds into the blood circuit. A sealed rubber-type stopper can
be used if access with a needle is contemplated. Using a
self-sealing stopper with split septum permits sampling and fluid
delivery using a needleless system.
[0192] Additional fluid connections 82 may allow blood flow circuit
10 to also be connected to the patient, and/or to a fluid source
for priming or disinfecting the system, including blood flow
circuit 10. Generally, during disinfection, arterial line 203 and
venous line 204 are connected directly to directing circuit 142 via
conduits 67, such that a disinfecting fluid (e.g., heated water and
in some embodiments, a combination heated water and one or more
chemical agent) may be flowed through dialyzer 14 and blood flow
circuit 141 back to directing circuit 142 for recirculation, this
disinfection is similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,898
to Kenley, et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. This
is also discussed in more detail below.
[0193] The pressure within arterial line 203, to draw blood from
the patient, may be kept to a pressure below atmospheric pressure
in some cases. If a pod pump is used, the pressure within blood
flow pump 13 may be inherently limited to the pressures available
from the positive and negative pressure reservoirs used to operate
the pump. In the event that a pressure reservoir or valve fails,
the pump chamber pressure will approach the reservoir pressure.
This will increase the fluid pressure to match the reservoir
pressure until the diaphragm within the pod pump "bottoms" (i.e.,
is no longer is able to move, due to contact with a surface), and
the fluid pressure will not exceed a safe limit and will
equilibrate with a natural body fluid pressure. This failure
naturally stops operation of the pod pump without any special
intervention.
[0194] A specific non-limiting example of a blood flow cassette is
shown in FIGS. 30-33. Referring now to FIGS. 30A and 30B, the outer
side of the top plate 900 of an exemplary embodiment of the
cassette is shown. The top plate 900 includes one half of the pod
pumps 820, 828. This half is the liquid half where the source fluid
will flow through. The two fluid paths 818, 812 are shown. These
fluid paths lead to their respective pod pumps 820, 828.
[0195] The pod pumps 820, 828 include a raised flow path 908, 910.
The raised flow path 908, 910 allows for the fluid to continue to
flow through the pod pumps 820, 828 after the diaphragm (not shown)
reaches the end of stroke. Thus, the raised flow path 908, 910
minimizes the diaphragm causing air or fluid to be trapped in the
pod pump 820, 828 or the diaphragm blocking the inlet or outlet of
the pod pump 820, 828, which would inhibit continuous flow. The
raised flow path 908, 910 is shown in one exemplary embodiment
having particular dimensions, and in some cases, the dimensions are
equivalent to the fluid flow paths 818, 812. However, in alternate
embodiments, the raised flow path 908, 910 is narrower, or in still
other embodiments, the raised flow path 908, 910 can be any
dimensions as the purpose is to control fluid flow so as to achieve
a desired flow rate or behavior of the fluid. In some embodiments,
the raised flow path 908, 910 and the fluid flow paths 818, 812
have different dimensions. Thus, the dimensions shown and described
here with respect to the raised flow path, the pod pumps, the
valves or any other aspect are mere exemplary and alternate
embodiments. Other embodiments are readily apparent.
[0196] In one exemplary embodiment of this cassette, the top plate
includes a spike 902 as well as a container perch 904. The spike
902 is hollow in this example, and is fluidly connected to the flow
path. In some embodiments, a needle is attached into the spike. In
other embodiments, a needle is connected to the container
attachment.
[0197] Referring now to FIGS. 30C and 30D, the inside of the top
plate 900 is shown. The raised flow paths 908, 910 connects to the
inlet flow paths 912, 916 and outlet flow paths 914, 918 of the pod
pumps 820, 828. The raised flow paths are described in more detail
above.
[0198] The metering pump (not shown) includes connection to an air
vent 906 as well as connection to the spike's hollow path 902. In
one exemplary embodiment, the air vent 906 includes an air filter
(not shown). The air filter may be a particle air filter in some
cases. In some embodiments, the filter is a somicron hydrophobic
air filter. In various embodiments, the size of the filter may
vary, in some instances the size will depend on desired outcome.
The metering pump works by taking air in through the air vent 906,
pumping the air to the container of second fluid (not shown)
through the spike's hollow path 902 and then pumping a volume of
second fluid out of the container (not shown) through the spike's
hollow path 902 and into the fluid line at point 826. This fluid
flow path for the metering pump is shown with arrows on FIG.
30C.
[0199] Referring now to FIGS. 31A and 31B, the liquid side of the
midplate 1000 is shown. The areas complementary to the fluid paths
on the inner top plate are shown. These areas are slightly raised
tracks that present a surface finish that is conducive to laser
welding, which is the mode of manufacture in one embodiment. The
fluid inlet 810 and fluid outlet 824 are also shown in this
view.
[0200] Referring next to FIGS. 31C and 31D, the air side of the
midplate 1000 is shown according to one embodiment. The air side of
the valve holes 808, 814, 816, 822 correspond to the holes in the
fluid side of the midplate (shown in FIG. 31A). As seen in FIGS.
33C and 33D, diaphragms 1220 complete valves 808, 814, 816, 822
while diaphragms 1226 complete pod pumps 820, 828. The metering
pump 830 is completed by diaphragm 1224. The valves 808, 814, 816,
822, 832, 834, 836 are actuated pneumatically, and as the diaphragm
is pulled away from the holes, liquid is drawn in, and as the
diaphragm is pushed toward the holes, liquid is pushed through. The
fluid flow is directed by the opening and closing of the valves
808, 814, 816, 822, 832, 834, 836.
[0201] Referring to FIGS. 31A and 31C, the metering pump includes
three holes, 1002, 1004, 1006. One hole 1002 pulls air into the
metering pump, the second hole 1004 pushes air to the spike/source
container and also, draws liquid from the source container, and the
third hole 1006 pushes the second fluid from the metering pump 830
to the fluid line to point 826.
[0202] Valves 832, 834, 836 actuate the second fluid metering pump.
Valve 832 is the second fluid/spike valve, valve 834 is the air
valve and valve 836 is the valve that controls the flow of fluid to
the fluid line to area 826.
[0203] Referring next to FIGS. 32A and 32B, the inner view of the
bottom plate 1100 is shown. The inside view of the pod pumps 820,
828, the metering pump 830 and the valves 808, 814, 816, 822, 832,
834, 836 actuation/air chamber is shown. The pod pumps 820, 828,
metering pump 830 and the valves 808, 814, 816, 822, 832, 834, 836
are actuated by a pneumatic air source. Referring now to FIGS. 32C
and 32D, the outer side of the bottom plate 1100 is shown. The
source of air is attached to this side of the cassette. In one
embodiment, tubes connect to the features on the valves and pumps
1102. In some embodiments, the valves are ganged, and more than one
valve is actuated by the same air line.
[0204] Referring now to FIGS. 33A and 33B, an assembled cassette
1200 with a container (or other source) of a second fluid 1202 is
shown, which, in this embodiment, may be an anticoagulant as
described above, attached is shown. The container 1202 contains the
source of the second fluid and is attached to the spike (not shown)
by a container attachment 1206. The air filter 1204 is shown
attached to the air vent (not shown, shown in FIG. 30A as 906).
Although not visible in FIG. 33A, the container perch (shown in
FIG. 30A as 904) is under the container attachment 1206. An
exploded view of the assembled cassette 1200 shown in FIGS. 33A and
12B is shown in FIGS. 33C and 33D. In these views, an exemplary
embodiment of the pod pump diaphragms 1226 is shown. The gasket of
the diaphragm provides a seal between the liquid chamber (in the
top plate 900) and the air/actuation chamber (in the bottom plate
1100). The dimpled texture on the dome of diaphragms 1226 provide,
amongst other features, additional space for air and liquid to
escape the chamber at the end of stroke.
[0205] A system of the present invention may also include a
balancing circuit, e.g., balancing circuit 143 as shown in FIG. 3A.
In some cases, blood flow circuit is implemented on a cassette,
although it need not be. Within the balancing circuit, the flow of
dialysate that passes in and out of the dialyzer may be balanced in
some cases such that essentially the same amount of dialysate comes
out of the dialyzer as goes into it (however, this balance can be
altered in certain cases, due to the use of a bypass pump, as
discussed below).
[0206] In addition, in some cases, the flow of dialysate may also
be balanced through the dialyzer such that the pressure of
dialysate within the dialyzer generally equals the pressure of
blood through the blood flow circuit. The flow of blood through the
blood flow circuit 141 and dialyzer in some cases is synchronized
with the flow of dialysate in the dialysate flow path through the
dialyzer. Because of the potential of fluid transfer across the
semi-permeable membrane of the dialyzer, and because the pumps of
the balancing circuit run at positive pressures, the balancing
circuit pumps can be timed to synchronize delivery strokes to the
dialyzer with the delivery strokes of the blood pumps, using
pressure and control data from the blood flow pumps.
[0207] A non-limiting example of a balancing circuit is shown in
FIG. 5. In balancing circuit 143, dialysate flows from optional
ultrafilter 73 into one or more dialysate pumps 15 (e.g., two as
shown in FIG. 5). The dialysate pumps 15 in this figure include two
pod pumps 161, 162, two balancing chambers 341, 342, and pump 35
for bypassing the balancing chambers. The balancing chambers may be
constructed such that they are formed from a rigid chamber with a
flexible diaphragm dividing the chamber into two separate fluid
compartments, so that entry of fluid into one compartment can be
used to force fluid out of the other compartment and vice versa.
Non-limiting examples of pumps that can be used as pod pumps and/or
balancing chambers are described in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/792,073, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled
"Extracorporeal Thermal Therapy Systems and Methods"; or in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/787,212, filed Apr. 13, 2007,
entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems, Devices and Methods," each
incorporated herein by reference. Additional examples of pod pumps
are discussed in detail below. As can be seen in the schematic of
FIG. 5, many of the valves can be "ganged" or synchronized together
in sets, so that all the valves in a set can be opened or closed at
the same time.
[0208] More specifically, in one embodiment, balancing of flow
works as follows. FIG. 5 includes a first synchronized, controlled
together set of valves 211, 212, 213, 241, 242, where valves 211,
212, 213 are ganged and valves 241 and 242 are ganged, as well as a
second synchronized, controlled together set of valves 221, 222,
223, 231, 232, where valves 221, 222, 223 are ganged, and valves
231 and 232 are ganged. At a first point of time, the first ganged
set of valves 211, 212, 213, 241, 242 is opened while the second
ganged set of valves 221, 222, 223, 231, 232 is closed. Fresh
dialysate flows into balancing chamber 341 while used dialysate
flows from dialyzer 14 into pod pump 161. Fresh dialysate does not
flow into balancing chamber 342 since valve 221 is closed. As fresh
dialysate flows into balancing chamber 341, used dialysate within
balancing chamber 341 is forced out and exits balancing circuit 143
(the used dialysate cannot enter pod pump 161 since valve 223 is
closed). Simultaneously, pod pump 162 forces used dialysate present
within the pod pump into balancing chamber 342 (through valve 213,
which is open; valves 242 and 222 are closed, ensuring that the
used dialysate flows into balancing chamber 342). This causes fresh
dialysate contained within balancing chamber 342 to exit the
balancing circuit 143 into dialyzer 14. Also, pod pump 161 draws in
used dialysate from dialyzer 14 into pod pump 161. This is also
illustrated in FIG. 18A.
[0209] Once pod pump 161 and balancing chamber 341 have filled with
dialysate, the first set of valves 211, 212, 213, 241, 242 is
closed and the second set of valves 221, 222, 223, 231, 232 is
opened. Fresh dialysate flows into balancing chamber 342 instead of
balancing chamber 341, as valve 212 is closed while valve 221 is
now open. As fresh dialysate flows into balancing chamber 342, used
dialysate within the chamber is forced out and exits balancing
circuit, since valve 213 is now closed. Also, pod pump 162 now
draws used dialysate from the dialyzer into the pod pump, while
used dialysate is prevented from flowing into pod pump 161 as valve
232 is now closed and valve 222 is now open. Pod pump 161 forces
used dialysate contained within the pod pump (from the previous
step) into balancing chamber 341, since valves 232 and 211 are
closed and valve 223 is open. This causes fresh dialysate contained
within balancing chamber 341 to be directed into the dialyzer
(since valve 241 is now open while valve 212 is now closed). At the
end of this step, pod pump 162 and balancing chamber 342 have
filled with dialysate. This puts the state of the system back into
the configuration at the beginning of this description, and the
cycle is thus able to repeat, ensuring a constant flow of dialysate
to and from the dialyzer. This is also illustrated in FIG. 18B. In
an embodiment, the fluid (e.g. pneumatic) pressures on the control
side of the balancing chamber valves are monitored to ensure they
are functioning properly.
[0210] As a specific example, a vacuum (e.g., 4 p.s.i. of vacuum)
can be applied to the port for the first ganged set of valves,
causing those valves to open, while positive pressure (e.g., 20
p.s.i. of air pressure, 1 p.s.i. is 6.89475 kilopascals) is applied
to the second ganged set of valves, causing those valves to close
(or vice versa). The pod pumps each urge dialysate into one of the
volumes in one of the balancing chambers 341, 342. By forcing
dialysate into a volume of a balancing chamber, an equal amount of
dialysate is squeezed by the diaphragm out of the other volume in
the balancing chamber. In each balancing chamber, one volume is
occupied by fresh dialysate heading towards the dialyzer and the
other volume is occupied by used dialysate heading from the
dialyzer. Thus, the volumes of dialysate entering and leaving the
dialyzer are kept substantially equal.
[0211] It should be noted that any valve associated with a
balancing chamber may be opened and closed under any suitable
pressure. However, it may be advantageous to apply a lower or more
controlled pressure to initiate and effect valve closure than the
pressure ultimately used to keep the valve closed ("holding
pressure"). Applying the equivalent of the holding pressure to
effectuate valve closure may lead to transient pressure elevations
in the fluid line sufficient to cause an already closed downstream
valve to leak, adversely affecting the balancing of dialysate flow
into and out of the dialyzer. Causing the dialysate pump and
balancing chamber inlet and/or outlet valves to close under a lower
or more controlled pressure may improve the balancing of dialysate
flow into and out of the dialyzer. In an embodiment, this can be
achieved, for example, by employing pulse width modulation ("PWM")
to the pressure being applied in the fluid control lines of the
valves. Without being limited to the following theories, the use of
moderate or controlled pressure to `slow-close` the valves may be
effective for example, because:
(1) it is possible that in some cases, the pressure in a balancing
chamber can transiently exceed the holding pressure in the closed
balancing chamber outlet valve (caused, for example by applying
excessive pressure to close the balancing chamber inlet valve
against the mass of fluid behind the valve diaphragm). The
transient elevation of pressure in the fluid line can overcome the
holding pressure of the closed outlet valve, resulting in a leak of
fluid and an imbalance of fluid delivery between the two sides of
the balancing chamber. (2) Also, the presence of air or gas between
the balancing chamber and a balancing chamber valve, coupled with a
rapid valve closure, could cause excess fluid to be pushed through
the balancing chamber without being balanced by fluid from the
opposite side of the balancing chamber.
[0212] As the diaphragms approach a wall in the balancing chambers
(so that one volume in a balancing chamber approaches a minimum and
the other volume approaches a maximum), positive pressure is
applied to the port for the first ganged set of valves, causing
those valves to close, while a vacuum is applied to the second
gangd set of valves, causing those valves to open. The pod pumps
then each urge dialysate into one of the volumes in the other of
the balancing chambers 341, 342. Again, by forcing dialysate into a
volume of a balancing chamber, an equal amount of dialysate is
squeezed by the diaphragm out of the other volume in the balancing
chamber. Since, in each balancing chamber, one volume is occupied
by fresh dialysate heading towards the dialyzer and the other
volume is occupied by used dialysate heading from the dialyzer, the
volumes of dialysate entering and leaving the dialyzer are kept
equal.
[0213] Also shown within FIG. 5 is bypass pump 35, which can direct
the flow of dialysate from dialyzer 14 through balancing circuit
143 without passing through either of pod pumps 161 or 162. In this
figure, bypass pump 35 is a pod pump, similar to those described
above, with a rigid chamber and a flexible diaphragm dividing each
chamber into a fluid compartment and a control compartment. This
pump may be the same or different from the other pod pumps,
metering pumps and/or balancing chambers described above. For
example, this pump may be a pump as was described in U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/792,073, filed Apr. 14,
2006, entitled "Extracorporeal Thermal Therapy Systems and
Methods"; or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/787,212, filed
Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,594 on Oct. 23,
2012, entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems, Devices and Methods," each
incorporated herein by reference. Pod pumps are also discussed in
detail below.
[0214] When control fluid is used to actuate this pump, dialysate
may be drawn through the dialyzer in a way that is not balanced
with respect to the flow of blood through the dialyzer. The
independent action of the bypass pump 35 on the dialysate outlet
side of the dialyzer causes an additional net ultrafiltration of
fluid from the blood in the dialyzer. This may cause the net flow
of liquid away from the patient, through the dialyzer, towards the
drain. Such a bypass may be useful, for example, in reducing the
amount of fluid a patient has, which is often increased due to the
patient's inability to lose fluid (primarily water) through the
kidneys. As shown in FIG. 5, bypass pump 35 may be controlled by a
control fluid (e.g., air), irrespective of the operation of pod
pumps 161 and 162. This configuration may allow for easier control
of net fluid removal from a patient, without the need to operate
the balancing pumps (inside and outside dialysate pumps) in a way
that would allow for such fluid to be withdrawn from the patient.
Using this configuration, it is not necessary to operate the inside
dialysate pumps either out of balance or out of phase with the
blood pumps in order to achieve a net withdrawal of fluid from the
patient.
[0215] To achieve balanced flow across the dialyzer, the blood flow
pump, the pumps of the balancing circuit, and the pumps of the
directing circuit (discussed below) may be operated to work
together to ensure that flow into the dialyzer is generally equal
to flow out of the dialyzer. If ultrafiltration is required, the
ultrafiltration pump (if one is present) may be run independently
of some or all of the other blood and/or dialysate pumps to achieve
the desired ultrafiltration rate.
[0216] To prevent outgassing of the dialysate, the pumps of the
balancing circuit may be always kept at pressures above atmospheric
pressure. In contrast, however, the blood flow pump and the
directing circuit pumps use pressures below atmosphere to pull the
diaphragm towards the chamber wall for a fill stroke. Because of
the potential of fluid transfer across the dialyzer and because the
pumps of the balancing circuit run at positive pressures, the
balancing circuit pumps may be able to use information from the
blood flow pump(s) in order to run in a balanced flow mode. The
delivery strokes of the balancing circuit chambers to the dialyzer
can thus be synchronized with the delivery strokes of the blood
pumps.
[0217] In one set of embodiments, when running in such a balanced
mode, if there is no delivery pressure from the blood flow pump,
the balancing circuit pump diaphragm will push fluid across the
dialyzer into the blood and the alternate pod of the balancing
circuit will not completely fill. For this reason, the blood flow
pump reports when it is actively delivering a stroke. When the
blood flow pump is delivering a stroke the balancing pump operates.
When the blood flow pump is not delivering blood, the valves that
control the flow from the dialyzer to the balancing pumps (and
other balancing valves ganged together with these valves, as
previously discussed) may be closed to prevent any fluid transfer
from the blood side to the dialysate side from occurring. During
the time the blood flow pump is not delivering, the balancing pumps
are effectively frozen, and the stroke continues once the blood
flow pump starts delivering again. The balancing pump fill pressure
can be set to a minimal positive value to ensure that the pump
operates above atmosphere at minimal impedance. Also, the balancing
pump delivery pressure can be set to the blood flow pump pressure
to generally match pressures on either side of the dialyzer,
minimizing flow across the dialyzer during delivery strokes of the
inside pump.
[0218] In some cases, it may be advantageous to have the dialysate
pump deliver dialysate to the dialyzer at a pressure higher than
the delivery pressure of the blood pump to the dialyzer. This can
help to ensure, for example, that a full chamber of clean dialysate
can get delivered to the dialyzer. In an embodiment, the delivery
pressure on the dialysate pump is set sufficiently high to allow
the inside pump to finish its stroke, but not so high as to stop
the flow of blood in the dialyzer. Conversely, when the dialysate
pump is receiving spent dialysate from the dialyzer, in some cases
it may also be advantageous to have the pressure in the dialysate
pump set lower than the outlet pressure on the blood side of the
dialyzer. This can help ensure that the receiving dialysate chamber
can always fill, in turn ensuring that there is enough dialysate
available to complete a full stroke at the balancing chamber. Flows
across the semi-permeable membrane caused by these differential
pressures will tend to cancel each other; and the pumping algorithm
otherwise attempts to match the average pressures on the dialysate
and blood sides of the dialyzer.
[0219] Convective flow that does occur across the dialyzer membrane
may be beneficial, because a constant and repeated shifting of
fluid back and forth across the dialyzer in small
increments--resulting in no net ultrafiltration--can nevertheless
help to prevent clot formation within the blood tubing and
dialyzer, which in turn may allow for a smaller heparin dosage,
prolong the useful life of the dialyzer, and facilitate dialyzer
cleaning and re-use. Backflushing has the additional benefit of
promoting better solute removal through convection. In another
embodiment, a form of continuous backflushing across the dialyzer
membrane can also be achieved by making small adjustments to the
synchronization of the delivery strokes of blood with the delivery
strokes of dialysate through the dialyzer.
[0220] It is generally beneficial to keep the blood flow as
continuous as possible during therapy, as stagnant blood flow can
result in blood clots. In addition, when the delivery flow rate on
the blood flow pump is discontinuous, the balancing pump must pause
its stroke more frequently, which can result in discontinuous
and/or low dialysate flow rates.
[0221] However, the flow through the blood flow pump can be
discontinuous for various reasons. For instance, pressure may be
limited within the blood flow pump, e.g., to +600 mmHg and/or -350
mmHg to provide safe pumping pressures for the patient. For
instance, during dual needle flow, the two pod pumps of the blood
flow pump can be programmed to run 180.degree. out of phase with
one another. If there were no limits on pressure, this phasing
could always be achieved. However to provide safe blood flow for
the patient these pressures are limited. If the impedance is high
on the fill stroke (due to a small needle, very viscous blood, poor
patient access, etc.), the negative pressure limit may be reached
and the fill flow rate will be slower then the desired fill flow
rate. Thus the delivery stroke must wait for the previous fill
stroke to finish resulting in a pause in the delivery flow rate of
the blood flow pump. Similarly, during single needle flow, the
blood flow pump may be run at 0.degree. phase, where the two blood
flow pump pod pumps are simultaneously emptied and filled. When
both pod pumps are filled, the volumes of the two pod pumps are
delivered. In an embodiment, the sequence of activation causes a
first pod pump and then a second pod pump to fill, followed by the
first pod pump emptying and then the second pod pump emptying. Thus
the flow in single needle or single lumen arrangement may be
discontinuous.
[0222] One method to control the pressure saturation limits would
be to limit the desired flow rate to the slowest of the fill and
deliver strokes. Although this would result in slower blood
delivery flow rates, the flow rate would still be known and would
always be continuous, which would result in more accurate and
continuous dialysate flow rates. Another method to make the blood
flow rate more continuous in single needle operation would be to
use maximum pressures to fill the pods so the fill time would be
minimized. The desired deliver time could then be set to be the
total desired stroke time minus the time that the fill stroke took.
However, if blood flow rate cannot be made continuous, then
dialysate flow rate may have to be adjusted so that when the blood
flow rate is delivering the dialysate flow is higher then the
programmed value to make up for the time that the dialysate pump is
stopped when the blood flow pump is filling. The less continuous
the blood flow, the more the dialysate flow rate may have to be
adjusted upward during blood delivery to the dialyzer. If this is
done with the correct timing, an average dialysate flow rate taken
over several strokes can still match the desired dialysate flow
rate.
[0223] A non-limiting example of a balancing cassette is shown in
FIGS. 34-36. In one structure of the cassette shown in FIG. 34A,
the valves are ganged such that they are actuated at the same time.
In one embodiment, there are four gangs of valves 832, 834, 836,
838. In some cases, the ganged valves are actuated by the same air
line. However, in other embodiments, each valve has its own air
line. Ganging the valves as shown in the exemplary embodiment
creates the fluid-flow described above. In some embodiments,
ganging the valves also ensures the appropriate valves are opened
and closed to dictate the fluid pathways as desired.
[0224] In this embodiment, the fluid valves are volcano valves, as
described in more detail herein. Although the fluid flow-path
schematic has been described with respect to a particular flow
path, in various embodiments, the flow paths may change based on
the actuation of the valves and the pumps. Additionally, the terms
inlet and outlet as well as first fluid and second fluid are used
for description purposes only (for this cassette, and other
cassettes described herein as well). In other embodiments, an inlet
can be an outlet, as well as, a first and second fluid may be
different fluids or the same fluid types or composition.
[0225] Referring now to FIGS. 35A-35E, the top plate 1000 of an
exemplary embodiment of the cassette is shown. Referring first to
FIGS. 35A and 35B, the top view of the top plate 1000 is shown. In
this exemplary embodiment, the pod pumps 820, 828 and the balancing
pods 812, 822 on the top plate, are formed in a similar fashion. In
this embodiment, the pod pumps 820, 828 and balancing pods 812,
822, when assembled with the bottom plate, have a total volume of
capacity of 38 ml. However, in various embodiments, the total
volume capacity can be greater or less than in this embodiment. The
first fluid inlet 810 and the second fluid outlet 816 are
shown.
[0226] Referring now to FIGS. 35C and 35D, the bottom view of the
top plate 1000 is shown. The fluid paths are shown in this view.
These fluid paths correspond to the fluid paths shown in FIG. 34B
in the midplate 900. The top plate 1000 and the top of the midplate
form the liquid or fluid side of the cassette for the pod pumps
820, 828 and for one side of the balancing pods 812, 822. Thus,
most of the liquid flow paths are on the top and midplates. The
other side of the balancing pods' 812, 822 flow paths are located
on the inner side of the bottom plate, not shown here, shown in
FIGS. 36A-36B.
[0227] Still referring to FIGS. 35C and 35D, the pod pumps 820, 828
and balancing pods 812, 822 include a groove 1002. The groove 1002
is shown having a particular shape, however, in other embodiments,
the shape of the groove 1002 can be any shape desirable. The shape
shown in FIGS. 35C and 35D is an exemplary embodiment. In some
embodiments of the groove 1002, the groove forms a path between the
fluid inlet side and the fluid outlet side of the pod pumps 820,
828 and balancing pods 812, 822.
[0228] The groove 1002 provides a fluid path whereby when the
diaphragm is at the end of stroke, there is still a fluid path
between the inlet and outlet such that the pockets of fluid or air
do not get trapped in the pod pump or balancing pod. The groove
1002 is included in both the liquid and air sides of the pod pumps
820, 828 and balancing pods 812, 822 (see FIGS. 36A-36B with
respect to the air side of the pod pumps 820, 828 and the opposite
side of the balancing pods 812, 822).
[0229] The liquid side of the pod pumps 820, 828 and balancing pods
812, 822, in one exemplary embodiment, include a feature whereby
the inlet and outlet flow paths are continuous while the outer ring
1004 is also continuous. This feature allows for the seal, formed
with the diaphragm (not shown) to be maintained.
[0230] Referring to FIG. 35E, the side view of an exemplary
embodiment of the top plate 1000 is shown. The continuous outer
ring 1004 of the pod pumps 820, 828 and balancing pods 812, 822 can
be seen.
[0231] Referring now to FIGS. 36A-36E, the bottom plate 1100 is
shown. Referring first to FIGS. 36A and 36B, the inside surface of
the bottom plate 1100 is shown. The inside surface is the side that
contacts the bottom surface of the midplate (not shown, see FIG.
34E). The bottom plate 1100 attaches to the air lines (not shown).
The corresponding entrance holes for the air that actuates the pod
pumps 820, 928 and valves (not shown, see FIG. 34E) in the midplate
can be seen 1106. Holes 1108, 1110 correspond to the second fluid
inlet and second fluid outlet shown in FIGS. 34C, 824, 826
respectively. The corresponding halves of the pod pumps 820, 828
and balancing pods 812, 822 are also shown, as are the grooves 1112
for the fluid paths. Unlike the top plate, the bottom plate
corresponding halves of the pod pumps 820, 828 and balancing pods
812, 822 make apparent the difference between the pod pumps 820,
828 and balancing pods 812, 822. The pod pumps 820, 828 include an
air path on the second half in the bottom plate, while the
balancing pods 812, 822 have identical construction to the half in
the top plate. Again, the balancing pods 812, 822 balance liquid,
thus, both sides of the diaphragm, not shown, will include a liquid
fluid path, while the pod pumps 820, 828 are pressure pumps that
pump liquid, thus, one side includes a liquid fluid path and the
other side, shown in the bottom plate 1100, includes an air
actuation chamber or air fluid path.
[0232] In one exemplary embodiment of the cassette, sensor elements
are incorporated into the cassette so as to discern various
properties of the fluid being pumped. In one embodiment, the three
sensor elements are included. In one embodiment, the sensor
elements are located in the sensor cell 1114. The cell 1114
accommodates three sensor elements in the sensor element housings
1116, 1118, 1120. In an embodiment, two of the sensor housings
1116, 1118 accommodate a conductivity sensor element and the third
sensor element housing 1120 accommodates a temperature sensor
element. The conductivity sensor elements and temperature sensor
elements can be any conductivity or temperature sensor elements in
the art. In one embodiment, the conductivity sensor elements are
graphite posts. In other embodiments, the conductivity sensor
elements are posts made from stainless steel, titanium, platinum or
any other metal coated to be corrosion resistant and still be
electrically conductive. The conductivity sensor elements can
include an electrical lead that transmits the probe information to
a controller or other device. In one embodiment, the temperature
sensor is a thermistor potted in a stainless steel probe. In
alternate embodiments, there are either no sensors in the cassette
or only a temperature sensor, only one or more conductivity sensors
or one or more of another type of sensor. In some embodiments, the
sensor elements are located outside of the cassette, in a separate
cassette, and may be connected to the cassette via a fluid
line.
[0233] Still referring to FIGS. 36A and 36B, the actuation side of
the metering pump 830 is also shown as well as the corresponding
air entrance hole 1106 for the air that actuates the pump.
Referring now to FIGS. 36C and 36D, the outer side of the bottom
plate 1100 is shown. The valve, pod pumps 820, 828 and metering
pump 830 air line connection points 1122 are shown. Again, the
balancing pods 812, 822 do not have air line connection points as
they are not actuated by air. As well, the corresponding openings
in the bottom plate 1100 for the second fluid outlet 824 and second
fluid inlet 826 are shown.
[0234] Referring now to FIG. 36E, a side view of the bottom plate
1100 is shown. In the side view, the rim 1124 that surrounds the
inner bottom plate 1100 can be seen. The rim 1124 is raised and
continuous, providing for a connect point for the diaphragm (not
shown). The diaphragm rests on this continuous and raised rim 1124
providing for a seal between the half of the pod pumps 820, 828 and
balancing pods 812, 822 in the bottom plate 1100 and the half of
the pod pumps 820, 828 and balancing pods 812, 822 in the top plate
(not shown, see FIGS. 35A-35D).
[0235] As mentioned, dialysate flows from a directing circuit,
optionally through a heater and/or through an ultrafilter, to the
balancing circuit. In some cases, the directing circuit is
implemented on a cassette, although it need not be. An example of a
directing circuit can be seen in FIG. 3A as directing circuit 142.
Directing circuit 142 is able to perform a number of different
functions, in this example. For instance, dialysate flows from a
dialysate supply (such as from a mixing circuit, as discussed
below) through the directing circuit to a balancing circuit, while
used dialysate flows from the balancing circuit to a drain. The
dialysate may flow due to the operation of one or more pumps
contained within the directing circuit. In some cases, the
directing circuit may also contain a dialysate tank, which may
contain dialysate prior to passing the dialysate to the balancing
circuit. Such a dialysate tank, in certain instances, may allow the
rate of production of dialysate to be different than the rate of
use of dialysate in the dialyzer within the system. The directing
circuit may also direct water from a water supply to the mixing
circuit (if one is present). In addition, as previously discussed,
the blood flow circuit may be fluidically connected to the
directing circuit for some operations, e.g., disinfection.
[0236] Thus, in some cases, dialysate may be made as it is needed,
so that large volumes of dialysate do not need to be stored. For
instance, after the dialysate is prepared, it may be held in a
dialysate tank 169. A dialysate valve 17 may control the flow of
dialysate from tank 169 into the dialysate circuit 20. The
dialysate may be filtered and/or heated before being sent into the
dialyzer 14. A waste valve 18 may be used to control the flow of
used dialysate out of the dialysate circuit 20.
[0237] One non-limiting example of a directing circuit is shown in
FIG. 6. In this figure, directing circuit 142 fluidically connects
dialysate from a dialysate supply to a dialysate tank 169, then
through dialysate pump 159, heater 72, and ultrafilter 73, before
entering a balancing circuit, as previously discussed. It should be
understood that although this figure shows that dialysate in the
dialysate flow path flows from the dialysate supply to the
dialysate tank, the pump, the heater, and the ultrafilter (in that
order), other orderings are also possible in other embodiments.
Heater 72 may be used to warm the dialysate to body temperature,
and/or a temperature such that the blood in the blood flow circuit
is heated by the dialysate, and the blood returning to the patient
is at body temperature or higher. Ultrafilter 73 may be used to
remove any pathogens, pyrogens, etc. which may be in the dialysate
solution, as discussed below. The dialysate solution then flows
into the balancing circuit to be directed to the dialyzer.
[0238] Dialysate tank 169 may comprise any suitable material and be
of any suitable dimension for storing dialysate prior to use. For
instance, dialysate tank 169 may comprise plastic, metal, etc. In
some cases, dialysate tank may comprise materials similar to those
used to form the pod pumps as discussed herein.
[0239] The flow of dialysate through directing circuit 142 may be
controlled (at least in part) by operation of dialysate pump 159.
In addition, dialysate pump 159 may control flow through the
balancing circuit. For instance, as discussed above with reference
to FIG. 5, fresh dialysate from the directing circuit flows into
balancing chambers 341 and 342 on balancing circuit 143; pump 159
may be used as a driving force to cause the fresh dialysate to flow
into these balancing chambers. In one set of embodiments, dialysate
pump 159 includes a pod pump, similar to those described above. The
pod pump may include a rigid chamber with a flexible diaphragm
dividing each chamber into a fluid compartment and control
compartment. The control compartment may be connected to a control
fluid source, such as an air source. Non-limiting examples of pumps
that may be used as pod pumps and/or balancing chambers are
described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/792,073, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled "Extracorporeal Thermal
Therapy Systems and Methods"; or in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/787,212, filed Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,292,594 on Oct. 23, 2012, entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems,
Devices and Methods," each incorporated herein by reference. Pod
pumps are also discussed in detail below.
[0240] After passing through pump 159, the dialysate may flow to a
heater, e.g., heater 72 in FIG. 6. The heater may be any heating
device suitable for heating dialysate, for example, an electrically
resistive heater as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The heater may be kept separated from the directing circuit (e.g.,
as is shown in FIG. 3A), or the heater may be incorporated into the
directing circuit, or other circuits as well (e.g., the balancing
circuit).
[0241] In some cases, the dialysate is heated to a temperature such
that blood passing through the dialyzer is not significantly
chilled. For instance, the temperature of the dialysate may be
controlled such that the dialysate is at a temperature at or
greater than the temperature of the blood passing through the
dialyzer. In such an example, the blood may be heated somewhat,
which may be useful in offsetting heat loss caused by the blood
passing through the various components of the blood flow circuit,
as discussed above. In addition, in some cases as discussed below,
the heater may be connected to a control system such that dialysate
that is incorrectly heated (i.e., the dialysate is too hot or too
cold) may be recycled (e.g., back to the dialysate tank) or sent to
drain instead of being passed to the dialyzer, for example, via
line 731. The heater may be integrated as part of a fluid circuit,
such as a directing circuit and/or a balancing circuit, or, as is
shown in FIG. 3A, the heater may be a separate component within the
dialysate flow path.
[0242] The heater may also be used, in some embodiments, for
disinfection or sterilization purposes. For instance, water may be
passed through the hemodialysis system and heated using the heater
such that the water is heated to a temperature able to cause
disinfection or sterilization to occur, e.g., temperatures of at
least about 70.degree. C., at least about 80.degree. C., at least
about 90.degree. C., at least about 100.degree. C., at least about
110.degree. C., etc. In some cases, as discussed below, the water
may be recycled around the various components and/or heat loss
within the system may be minimized (e.g., as discussed below) such
that the heater is able to heat the water to such disinfection or
sterilization temperatures.
[0243] The heater may include a control system that is able to
control the heater as discussed above (e.g., to bring dialysate up
to body temperature for dialyzing a patient, to bring the water
temperature up to a disinfection temperatures in order to clean the
system, etc.).
[0244] A non-limiting example of a heater controller follows. The
controller may be selected to be capable of dealing with varying
inlet fluid temperatures as well as for pulsatile or varying flow
rates. In addition the heater control must function properly when
flow is directed through each of the different flow paths (dialyze,
disinfect, re-circulate etc). In one embodiment, the heater
controller is used on SIP1 boards with an IR (infrared) temperature
sensor on the ultra filter and an IR temperature sensor on the
tank. In other embodiments, the board is in a box with less heat
losses and to uses conductivity sensors for the inlet temperature
sensor. Another embodiment of the controller uses a simple
proportional controller using both tank (heater inlet) and
ultrafilter (heater outlet) temperatures, e.g.:
powerHeater=massFlow*((tankPGain*errorTank)+(UFPGain*errorUF),
where:
[0245] PowerHeater=heater duty cycle cmd (0-100%);
[0246] MassFlow=the fluid mass flow rate;
[0247] TankPGain=proportional gain for the tank or inlet
temperature sensor;
[0248] ErrorTank=difference between the tank or inlet temperature
sensor and the desired temperature;
[0249] UFPGain=proportional gain for the ultrafilter or outlet
temperature sensor; and
[0250] ErrorUF=difference between the of or outlet temperature
sensor and the desired temperature.
[0251] From the heater duty cycle command (0-100%) a PWM command is
generated.
[0252] In some embodiments, this controller may reduce the mass
flow rate if the given temperature is not maintained and the heater
is saturated.
[0253] It should be understood that the above-described heater
control is by way of example only, and that other heater control
systems, and other heaters, are also possible in other embodiments
of the invention.
[0254] The dialysate may also be filtered to remove contaminants,
infectious organisms, pathogens, pyrogens, debris, and the like,
for instance, using an ultrafilter. The filter may be positioned in
any suitable location in the dialysate flow path, for instance,
between the directing circuit and the balancing circuit, e.g., as
is shown in FIG. 3A, and/or the ultrafilter may be incorporated
into the directing circuit or the balancing circuit. If an
ultrafilter is used, it may be chosen to have a mesh or pore size
chosen to prevent species such as these from through the filter.
For instance, the mesh or pore size may be less than about 0.3
micrometers, less than about 0.2 micrometers, less than about 0.1
micrometers, or less than about 0.05 micrometers, etc. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will be aware of filters such as
ultrafilters, and in many cases, such filters may be readily
obtained commercially.
In some cases, the ultrafilter may be operated such that waste from
the filter (e.g., the retentate stream) is passed to a waste
stream, such as waste line 39 in FIG. 6. In some cases, the amount
of dialysate flowing into the retentate stream may be controlled.
For instance, if the retentate is too cold (i.e., heater 72 is not
working, or heater 72 is not heating the dialysate to a sufficient
temperature, the entire dialysate stream (or at least a portion of
the dialysate) may be diverted to waste line 39, and optionally,
recycled to dialysate tank 169 using line 48. Flow from the filter
may also be monitored for several reasons, e.g., using temperature
sensors (e.g., sensors 251 and 252), conductivity sensors (for
confirming dialysate concentration, e.g., sensor 253), or the like.
An example of such sensors is discussed below; further non-limiting
examples can be seen in a U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/038,474, filed on Feb. 27, 2008, published as US PGPub No.
2008/0253427 on Oct. 16, 2008, entitled "Sensor Apparatus Systems,
Devices and Methods," incorporated herein by reference.
[0255] It should be noted that the ultrafilter and the dialyzer
provide redundant screening methods for the removal of
contaminants, infectious organisms, pathogens, pyrogens, debris,
and the like, in this particular example (although in other cases,
the ultrafilter may be absent). Accordingly, for contaminants to
reach the patient from the dialysate, the contaminants must pass
through both the ultrafilter and the dialyzer. Even in the event
that one fails, the other may still be able to provide sterility
and prevent contaminants from reaching the patient's blood.
[0256] Directing circuit 142 may also be able to route used
dialysate coming from a balancing circuit to a drain, e.g., through
waste line 39 to drain 31 in FIG. 6. The drain may be, for example,
a municipal drain or a separate container for containing the waste
(e.g., used dialysate) to be properly disposed of. In some cases,
one or more check or "one-way" valves (e.g., check valves 215 and
216) may be used to control flow of waste from the directing
circuit and from the system. Also, in certain instances, a blood
leak sensor (e.g., sensor 258) may be used to determine if blood is
leaking through the dialyzer into the dialysate flow path. In
addition, a liquid sensor can be positioned in a collection pan at
the bottom of the hemodialysis unit to indicate leakage of either
blood or dialysate, or both, from any of the fluid circuits.
[0257] In addition, directing circuit 142 may receive water from a
water supply 30, e.g., from a container of water such as a bag,
and/or from a device able to produce water, e.g., a reverse osmosis
device such as those that are commercially available. In some
cases, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the water
entering the system is set at a certain purity, e.g., having ion
concentrations below certain values. The water entering directing
circuit 142 may be passed on to various locations, e.g., to a
mixing circuit for producing fresh dialysate and/or to waste line
39. In some cases, as discussed below, valves to drain 31, various
recycle lines are opened, and conduits 67 may be connected between
directing circuit 142 and blood flow circuit 141, such that water
is able to flow continuously around the system. If heater 72 is
also activated, the water passing through the system will be
continuously heated, e.g., to a temperature sufficient to disinfect
the system. Such disinfection methods will be discussed in detail
below.
[0258] A non-limiting example of a balancing cassette is shown in
FIGS. 41-45. Referring now to FIGS. 41A and 41B, the outer side of
the top plate 900 of one embodiment of the cassette is shown. The
top plate 900 includes one half of the pod pumps 820, 828. This
half is the fluid/liquid half where the source fluid will flow
through. The inlet and outlet pod pump fluid paths are shown. These
fluid paths lead to their respective pod pumps 820, 828.
[0259] The pod pumps 820, 828 can include a raised flow path 908,
910. The raised flow path 908, 910 allows for the fluid to continue
to flow through the pod pumps 820, 828 after the diaphragm (not
shown) reaches the end of stroke. Thus, the raised flow path 908,
910 minimizes the diaphragm causing air or fluid to be trapped in
the pod pump 820, 828 or the diaphragm blocking the inlet or outlet
of the pod pump 820, 828, which would inhibit flow. The raised flow
path 908, 910 is shown in this embodiment having particular
dimensions. In alternate embodiments, the raised flow path 908, 910
is larger or narrower, or in still other embodiments, the raised
flow path 908, 910 can be any dimension as the purpose is to
control fluid flow so as to achieve a desired flow rate or behavior
of the fluid. Thus, the dimensions shown and described here with
respect to the raised flow path, the pod pumps, the valves, or any
other aspect are mere exemplary and alternate embodiments. Other
embodiments are readily apparent. FIGS. 41C and 41D show the inner
side of the top plate 900 of this embodiment of the cassette. FIG.
41E shows a side view of the top plate 900.
[0260] Referring now to FIGS. 42A and 42B, the fluid/liquid side of
the midplate 1000 is shown. The areas complementary to the fluid
paths on the inner top plate shown in FIGS. 41C and 41D are shown.
These areas are slightly raised tracks that present a surface
finish that is conducive to laser welding, which is one mode of
manufacturing in this embodiment. Other modes of manufacturing the
cassette are discussed above.
[0261] Referring next to FIGS. 42C and 42D, the air side, or side
facing the bottom plate (not shown, shown in FIGS. 43A-43E) of the
midplate 1000 is shown according to this embodiment. The air side
of the valve holes 802, 808, 814, 816, 822, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 856 correspond to the holes in the fluid side of the midplate
1000 (shown in FIGS. 42A and 42B). As seen in FIGS. 44C and 44D,
diaphragms 1220 complete pod pumps 820, 828 while diaphragms 1222
complete valves 802, 808, 814, 816, 822, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844,
856. The valves 802, 808, 814, 816, 822, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844,
856 are actuated pneumatically, and as the diaphragm is pulled away
from the holes, liquid/fluid is allowed to flow. As the diaphragm
is pushed toward the holes, fluid flow is inhibited. The fluid flow
is directed by the opening and closing of the valves 802, 808, 814,
816, 822, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844, 856. Referring next to FIGS. 43A
and 43B, the inner view of the bottom plate 1100 is shown. The
inside view of the pod pumps 820, 828, and the valves 802, 808,
814, 816, 822, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844, 856 actuation/air chamber
is shown. The pod pumps 820, 828, and the valves 802, 808, 814,
816, 822, 836, 838, 840, 842, 844, 856 are actuated by a pneumatic
air source. Referring now to FIGS. 43C and 43D, the outer side of
the bottom plate 1100 is shown. The source of air is attached to
this side of the cassette. In one embodiment, tubes connect to the
tubes on the valves and pumps 1102. In some embodiments, the valves
are ganged, and more than one valve is actuated by the same air
line.
[0262] Referring now to FIGS. 44A and 44B, an assembled cassette
1200 is shown. An exploded view of the assembled cassette 1200
shown in FIGS. 44A and 44B is shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D. In these
views, the embodiment of the pod pump diaphragms 1220 is shown. The
gasket of the diaphragm provides a seal between the liquid chamber
(in the top plate 900) and the air/actuation chamber (in the bottom
plate 1100). In some embodiment, texture on the dome of the
diaphragms 1220 provide, amongst other features, additional space
for air and liquid to escape the chamber at the end of stroke. In
alternate embodiments of the cassette, the diaphragms may include a
double gasket. The double gasket feature would be preferred in
embodiments where both sides of the pod pump include liquid or in
applications where sealing both chambers' sides is desired. In
these embodiments, a rim complementary to the gasket or other
feature (not shown) would be added to the inner bottom plate 1100
for the gasket to seal the pod pump chamber in the bottom plate
1100.
[0263] Referring now to FIG. 45, a cross sectional view of the pod
pumps 828 in the cassette is shown. The details of the attachment
of the diaphragm 1220 can be seen in this view. Again, in this
embodiment, the diaphragm 1220 gasket is pinched by the midplate
1000 and the bottom plate 1100. A rim on the midplate 1000 provides
a feature for the gasket to seal the pod pump 828 chamber located
in the top plate 900.
[0264] Referring next to FIG. 45, this cross sectional view shows
the valves 834, 836 in the assembled cassette. The diaphragms 1220
are shown assembled and are held in place, in this embodiment, by
being sandwiched between the midplate 1000 and the bottom plate
1100. Still referring to FIG. 45, this cross sectional view also
shows a valve 822 in the assembled cassette. The diaphragm 1222 is
shown held in place by being sandwiched between the midplate 1000
and the bottom plate 1100.
[0265] In one set of embodiments, dialysate may be prepared
separately and brought to the system for use in the directing
circuit. However, in some cases, dialysate may be prepared in a
mixing circuit. The mixing circuit may be run to produce dialysate
at any suitable time. For instance, dialysate may be produced
during dialysis of a patient, and/or prior to dialysis (the
dialysate may be stored, for instance, in a dialysate tank. Within
the mixing circuit, water (e.g., from a water supply, optionally
delivered to the mixing circuit by a directing circuit) may be
mixed with various dialysate ingredients to form the dialysate.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of suitable dialysate
ingredients, for instance, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride,
and/or acid, as previously discussed. The dialysate may be
constituted on an as-needed basis, so that large quantities do not
need to be stored, although some may be stored within a dialysate
tank, in certain cases.
[0266] FIG. 7A illustrates a non-limiting example of a mixing
circuit, which may be implemented on a cassette in some cases. In
FIG. 7A, water from a directing circuit flows into mixing circuit
25 due to action of pump 180. In some cases, a portion of the water
is directed to ingredients 49, e.g., for use in transporting the
ingredients through the mixing circuit. As shown in FIG. 7A, water
is delivered to bicarbonate source 28 (which may also contain
sodium chloride in some cases). The sodium chloride and/or the
sodium bicarbonate may be provided, in some cases, in a powdered or
granular form, which is moved through the action of water.
Bicarbonate from bicarbonate source 28 is delivered via bicarbonate
pump 183 to a mixing line 186, to which water from the directing
circuit also flows. Acid from acid source 29 (which may be in a
liquid form) is also pumped via acid pump 184 to mixing line 186.
The ingredients (water, bicarbonate, acid, NaCl, etc.) are mixed in
mixing chamber 189 to produce dialysate, which then flows out of
mixing circuit 25. Conductivity sensors 178 and 179 are positioned
along mixing line 186 to ensure that as each ingredient is added to
the mixing line, it is added at proper concentrations.
[0267] In one set of embodiments, pump 180 comprises one or more
pod pumps, similar to those described above. The pod pumps may
include a rigid chamber with a flexible diaphragm dividing each
chamber into a fluid compartment and control compartment. The
control compartment may be connected to a control fluid source,
such as an air source. Non-limiting examples of pumps that can be
used as pod pumps are described in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/792,073, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled
"Extracorporeal Thermal Therapy Systems and Methods"; or in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/787,212, filed Apr. 13, 2007 and
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,594 on Oct. 23, 2012, entitled "Fluid
Pumping Systems, Devices and Methods," each incorporated herein by
reference. Similarly, in some cases, pumps 183 and/or 184 may each
be pod pumps. Additional details of pod pumps are discussed
below.
[0268] In some cases, one or more of the pumps may have pressure
sensors to monitor the pressure in the pump. This pressure sensor
may be used to ensure that a pump compartment is filling and
delivering completely. For example, ensuring that the pump delivers
a full stroke of fluid may be accomplished by (i) filling the
compartment, (ii) closing both fluid valves, (iii) applying
pressure to the compartment by opening the valve between the
positive pneumatic reservoir and the compartment, (iv) closing this
positive pressure valve, leaving pressurized air in the path
between the valve and the compartment, (v) opening the fluid valve
so the fluid can leave the pump compartment, and (vi) monitoring
the pressure drop in the compartment as the fluid leaves. The
pressure drop corresponding to a full stroke may be consistent, and
may depend on the initial pressure, the hold-up volume between the
valve and the compartment, and/or the stroke volume. However, in
other embodiments of any of the pod pumps described herein, a
reference volume compartment may be used, where the volume is
determined through pressure and volume data.
[0269] The volumes delivered by the water pump and/or the other
pumps may be directly related to the conductivity measurements, so
the volumetric measurements may be used as a cross-check on the
composition of the dialysate that is produced. This may ensure that
the dialysate composition remains safe even if a conductivity
measurement becomes inaccurate during a therapy.
[0270] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing another example of a
mixing circuit, implementable on a cassette in certain cases.
Mixing circuit 25 in this figure includes a pod pump 181 for
pumping water from a supply along a line 186 into which the various
ingredients for making the dialysate are introduced into the water.
Another pump 182 pumps water from a water supply into source 28
holding the sodium bicarbonate (e.g., a container) and/or into
source 188 holding the sodium chloride. A third pump 183 introduces
the dissolved bicarbonate into mixing line 186 (mixed in mixing
chamber 189), while a fourth pump 185 introduces dissolved sodium
chloride into line 186 (mixed in mixing chamber 191). A fifth pump
184 introduces acid into the water before it passes through the
first pump 181. Mixing is monitored using conductivity sensors 178,
179, and 177, which each measure the conductivity after a specific
ingredient has been added to mixing line 186, to ensure that the
proper amount and/or concentration of the ingredient has been
added. An example of such sensors is discussed below; further
non-limiting examples can be seen in a U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/038,474, filed Feb. 27, 2008, published as US PGPub No.
2008/0253427 on Oct. 16, 2008, entitled "Sensor Apparatus Systems,
Devices and Methods," incorporated herein by reference.
[0271] Referring now to FIG. 3B, in this embodiment, mixing circuit
25 constitutes dialysate using two sources: an acid concentrate
source 27 and a combined sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO.sub.3) and
sodium chloride (NaCl) source. As shown in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, the dialysate constituting system 25
may include multiples of each source. In embodiments of the method
where the system is run continuously, the redundant dialysate
sources allow for continuous function of the system, as one set of
sources is depleted, the system uses the redundant source and the
first set of sources is replaced. This process is repeated as
necessary, e.g., until the system is shut down.
[0272] A non-limiting example of a balancing cassette is shown in
FIGS. 34-36. In the exemplary fluid flow-path cassette shown in
FIG. 37, valves are open individually. In this exemplary
embodiment, the valves are pneumatically open. Also, in this
embodiment, the fluid valves are volcano valves, as described in
more detail elsewhere in this specification.
[0273] Referring now to FIGS. 38A-38B, the top plate 1100 of one
exemplary embodiment of the cassette is shown. In this exemplary
embodiment, the pod pumps 820, 828 and the mixing chambers 818 on
the top plate 1100, are formed in a similar fashion. In this
exemplary embodiment, the pod pumps 820, 828 and mixing chamber
818, when assembled with the bottom plate, have a total volume of
capacity of 38 ml. However, in other embodiments, the mixing
chamber may have any size volume desired.
[0274] Referring now to FIG. 38B, the bottom view of the top plate
1100 is shown. The fluid paths are shown in this view. These fluid
paths correspond to the fluid paths shown in FIGS. 39A-39B in the
midplate 1200. The top plate 1100 and the top of the midplate 1200
form the liquid or fluid side of the cassette for the pod pumps
820, 828 and for one side of the mixing chamber 818. Thus, most of
the liquid flow paths are on the top 1100 and midplates 1200.
Referring to FIG. 39B, the first fluid inlet 810 and the first
fluid outlet 824 are shown.
[0275] Still referring to FIGS. 38A and 38B, the pod pumps 820, 828
include a groove 1002 (in alternate embodiments, this is a groove).
The groove 1002 is shown having a particular size and shape,
however, in other embodiments, the size and shape of the groove
1002 may be any size or shape desirable. The size and shape shown
in FIGS. 38A and 38B is one exemplary embodiment. In all
embodiments of the groove 1002, the groove 1002 forms a path
between the fluid inlet side and the fluid outlet side of the pod
pumps 820, 828. In alternate embodiments, the groove 1002 is a
groove in the inner pumping chamber wall of the pod pump.
[0276] The groove 1002 provides a fluid path whereby when the
diaphragm is at the end-of-stroke there is still a fluid path
between the inlet and outlet such that the pockets of fluid or air
do not get trapped in the pod pump. The groove 1002 is included in
both the liquid/fluid and air/actuation sides of the pod pumps 820,
828. In some embodiments, the groove 1002 may also be included in
the mixing chamber 818 (see FIGS. 40A-40B with respect to the
actuation/air side of the pod pumps 820, 828 and the opposite side
of the mixing chamber 818. In alternate embodiments, the groove
1002 is either not included or on only one side of the pod pumps
820, 828.
[0277] In an alternate embodiment of the cassette, the liquid/fluid
side of the pod pumps 820, 828 may include a feature (not shown)
whereby the inlet and outlet flow paths are continuous and a rigid
outer ring (not shown) is molded about the circumference of the
pumping chamber is also continuous. This feature allows for the
seal, formed with the diaphragm (not shown) to be maintained.
Referring to FIG. 38E, the side view of an exemplary embodiment of
the top plate 1100 is shown.
[0278] Referring now to FIGS. 39A-39B, an exemplary embodiment of
the midplate 1200 is shown. The midplate 1200 is also shown in
FIGS. 37A-37F, where these Figs. correspond with FIGS. 39A-39B.
Thus, FIGS. 37A-37F indicate the locations of the various valves
and valving paths. The locations of the diaphragms (not shown) for
the respective pod pumps 820, 828 as well as the location of the
mixing chamber 818 are shown.
[0279] Referring now to FIG. 39A, in one exemplary embodiment of
the cassette, sensor elements are incorporated into the cassette so
as to discern various properties of the fluid being pumped. In one
embodiment, three sensor elements are included. However, in this
embodiment, six sensor elements (two sets of three) are included.
The sensor elements are located in the sensor cell 1314, 1316. In
this embodiment, a sensor cell 1314, 1316 is included as an area on
the cassette for sensor(s) elements. In one embodiment, the three
sensor elements of the two sensor cells 1314, 1316 are housed in
respective sensor elements housings 1308, 1310, 1312 and 1318,
1320, 1322. In one embodiment, two of the sensor elements housings
1308, 1312 and 1318, 1320 accommodate conductivity sensor elements
and the third sensor elements housing 1310, 1322 accommodates a
temperature sensor element. The conductivity sensor elements and
temperature sensor elements may be any conductivity or temperature
sensor elements in the art. In one embodiment, the conductivity
sensors are graphite posts. In other embodiments, the conductivity
sensor elements are posts made from stainless steel, titanium,
platinum or any other metal coated to be corrosion resistant and
still be electrically conductive. The conductivity sensor elements
will include an electrical lead that transmits the probe
information to a controller or other device. In one embodiment, the
temperature sensor is a thermistor potted in a stainless steel
probe. However, in alternate embodiments, a combination temperature
and conductivity sensor elements is used similar to the one
described in a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,821,
published as US PGPub No. 2008/0240929 on Oct. 2, 2008, entitled
"Sensor Apparatus Systems, Devices and Methods," filed Oct. 12,
2007.
[0280] In alternate embodiments, there are either no sensors in the
cassette or only a temperature sensor, only one or more
conductivity sensors or one or more of another type of sensor.
[0281] Referring now to FIG. 39C, the side view of an exemplary
embodiment of the midplate 1200 is shown. Referring now to FIGS.
40A-40B, the bottom plate 1300 is shown. Referring first to FIG.
40A, the inner or inside surface of the bottom plate 1300 is shown.
The inner or inside surface is the side that contacts the bottom
surface of the midplate (not shown). The bottom plate 1300 attaches
to the air or actuation lines (not shown). The corresponding
entrance holes for the air that actuates the pod pumps 820, 828 and
valves (not shown, see FIGS. 37A-37F) in the midplate 1300 can be
seen. Holes 810, 824 correspond to the first fluid inlet and first
fluid outlet shown in FIGS. 39B, 810, 824 respectively. The
corresponding halves of the pod pumps 820, 828 and mixing chamber
818 are also shown, as are the grooves 1002 for the fluid paths.
The actuation holes in the pumps are also shown. Unlike the top
plate, the bottom plate 1300 corresponding halves of the pod pumps
820, 828 and mixing chamber 818 make apparent the difference
between the pod pumps 820, 828 and mixing chamber 818. The pod
pumps 820, 828 include an air/actuation path on the bottom plate
1300, while the mixing chamber 818 has identical construction to
the half in the top plate. The mixing chamber 818 mixes liquid and
therefore, does not include a diaphragm (not shown) nor an
air/actuation path. The sensor cell 1314, 1316 with the three
sensor element housings 1308, 1310, 1312 and 1318, 1320, 1322 are
also shown.
[0282] Referring now to FIG. 40B, the actuation ports 1306 are
shown on the outside or outer bottom plate 1300. An actuation
source is connected to these actuation ports 1306. Again, the
mixing chamber 818 does not have an actuation port as it is not
actuated by air. Referring to FIG. 40C, a side view of the
exemplary embodiment of the bottom plate 1300 is shown.
[0283] As described above, in various aspects of the invention, one
or more fluid circuits may be implemented on a cassette, such as
the blood flow circuit, the balancing circuit, the directing
circuit, and/or the mixing circuit, etc. Other cassettes may be
present, e.g., a sensing cassette as is disclosed in a U.S. Pat.
No. 8,491,184, issued Jul. 23, 2013, entitled "Sensor Apparatus
Systems, Devices and Methods," incorporated herein by reference. In
some embodiments, some or all of these circuits are combined in a
single cassette. In alternate embodiments, these circuits are each
defined in respective cassettes. In still other embodiments, two or
more of the fluid circuits are included on one cassette. In some
cases, two, three, or more cassettes may be immobilized relative to
each other, optionally with fluidic connections between the
cassettes. For instance, in one embodiment, two cassettes may be
connected via a pump, such as a pod pump as previously described.
The pod pump may include a rigid chamber with a flexible diaphragm
dividing each chamber into a first side and a second side, and the
sides may be used for various purposes as noted above.
[0284] Non-limiting examples of cassettes that may be used in the
present invention include those described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/871,680, filed Oct. 12, 2007 and issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,049 on Sep. 25, 2012, entitled "Pumping
Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,712, filed Oct.
12, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,492 on Nov. 27, 2012,
entitled "Pumping Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/871,787, filed Oct. 12, 2007, entitled "Pumping Cassette"; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/871,793, filed Oct. 12, 2007,
entitled "Pumping Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/871,803, filed Oct. 12, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,967,022 on Jun. 28, 2011, entitled "Cassette System Integrated
Apparatus"; or in a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,648,
filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,563 on Oct.
25, 2011, entitled "Cassette System Integrated Apparatus". Each of
these is incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
[0285] A cassette may also include various features, such as pod
pumps, fluid lines, valves, or the like. The cassette embodiments
shown and described in this description include exemplary and
various alternate embodiments. However, any variety of cassettes is
contemplated that include a similar functionality. Although the
cassette embodiments described herein are implementations of the
fluid schematics as shown in the figures, in other embodiments, the
cassette may have varying fluid paths and/or valve placement and/or
pod pump placements and numbers and thus, is still within the scope
of the invention.
[0286] In one example embodiment, a cassette may includes a top
plate, a midplate and a bottom plate. There are a variety of
embodiments for each plate. In general, the top plate includes pump
chambers and fluid lines, the midplate includes complementary fluid
lines, metering pumps and valves and the bottom plate includes
actuation chambers (and in some embodiments, the top plate and the
bottom plate include complementary portions of a balancing chamber
or a pod pump).
[0287] In general, the diaphragms are located between the midplate
and the bottom plate, however, with respect to a balancing chamber
or a pod pump, a portion of a diaphragm is located between the
midplate and the top plate. Some embodiments include where the
diaphragm is attached to the cassette, either overmolded, captured,
bonded, press fit, welded in or any other process or method for
attachment, however, in the exemplary embodiments, the diaphragms
are separate from the top plate, midplate and bottom plate until
the plates are assembled.
[0288] The cassettes may be constructed of a variety of materials.
Generally, in the various embodiments, the materials used are solid
and non-flexible. In one embodiment, the plates are constructed of
polysulfone, but in other embodiments, the cassettes are
constructed of any other solid material and in exemplary
embodiment, of any thermoplastic or thermoset.
[0289] In one exemplary embodiment, the cassettes are formed by
placing diaphragms in their correct locations (e.g., for one or
more pod pumps, if such pod pumps are present), assembling the
plates in order, and connecting the plates. In one embodiment, the
plates are connected using a laser welding technique. However, in
other embodiments, the plates may be glued, mechanically fastened,
strapped together, ultrasonically welded or any other mode of
attaching the plates together.
[0290] In practice, the cassette may be used to pump any type of
fluid from any source to any location. The types of fluid include
nutritive, nonnutritive, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals,
bodily fluids or any other type of fluid. Additionally, fluid in
some embodiments include a gas, thus, in some embodiments, the
cassette is used to pump a gas.
[0291] The cassette serves to pump and direct the fluid from and to
the desired locations. In some embodiments, outside pumps pump the
fluid into the cassette and the cassette pumps the fluid out.
However, in some embodiments, the pod pumps serve to pull the fluid
into the cassette and pump the fluid out of the cassette.
[0292] As discussed above, depending on the valve locations,
control of the fluid paths is imparted. Thus, the valves being in
different locations or additional valves are alternate embodiments
of this cassette. Additionally, the fluid lines and paths shown in
the figures described above are mere examples of fluid lines and
paths. Other embodiments may have more, less and/or different fluid
paths. In still other embodiments, valves are not present in the
cassette.
[0293] The number of pod pumps (if pod pumps are present within the
cassette) described above may also vary depending on the
embodiment. For example, although the various embodiments shown and
described above include two pod pumps, in other embodiments, the
cassette includes one pod pump. In still other embodiments, the
cassette includes more than two pod pumps, or there may be no pod
pumps present. The pod pumps may be single pumps or multiple pod
pumps may be present that can work in tandem, e.g., to provide a
more continuous flow, as discussed above. Either or both may be
used in various embodiments of the cassette. However, as noted
above, in some cases, there may be pod pumps not present on a
cassette, but contained between two or more cassettes. Non-limiting
examples of such systems can be seen in a U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/038,648, filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat.
No. 8,042,563 on Oct. 25, 2011, entitled "Cassette System
Integrated Apparatus," incorporated by herein reference.
[0294] The various fluid inlets and fluid outlets disclosed herein
may be fluid ports in some cases. In practice, depending on the
valve arrangement and control, a fluid inlet may be a fluid outlet.
Thus, the designation of the fluid port as a fluid inlet or a fluid
outlet is only for description purposes. The various embodiments
have interchangeable fluid ports. The fluid ports are provided to
impart particular fluid paths onto the cassette. These fluid ports
are not necessarily all used all of the time; instead, the variety
of fluid ports provides flexibility of use of the cassette in
practice.
[0295] Another non-limiting example of a cassette is shown with
reference to FIG. 46. Referring now to FIG. 46A, the assembled
cassette system integrated is shown. The mixing cassette 500,
middle cassette 600 and balancing cassette 700 are linked by fluid
lines or conduits. The pods are between the cassettes. Referring
now to FIGS. 46B and 46C, the various views show the efficiency of
the cassette system integrated. The fluid lines or conduits 1200,
1300, 1400 are shown in FIG. 50A, FIG. 50B and FIG. 50C
respectively. The fluid flows between the cassettes through these
fluid lines or conduits. Referring now to FIGS. 50A and 50B, these
fluid lines or conduits represent larger 1300 and smaller 1200
check valve fluid lines. In the exemplary embodiment, the check
valves are duck bill valves; however, in other embodiments, any
check valve may be used. Referring to FIG. 50C, fluid line or
conduit 1400 is a fluid line or conduit that does not contain a
check valve. For purposes of this description, the terms "fluid
line" and "conduit" are used with respect to 1200, 1300 and 1400
interchangeably.
[0296] Referring now to FIGS. 46B and 46C, and FIG. 51A, the
following is a description of one embodiment of the fluid flow
through the various cassettes. For ease of description, the fluid
flow will begin with the mixing cassette 500. Referring now to FIG.
46B and FIG. 51A, the fluid side of the mixing cassette 500 is
shown. The fluid side includes a plurality of ports 8000, 8002,
8004, 8006, 8008 and 8010-8026 that are either fluid inlets or
fluid outlets. In the various embodiments, the fluid inlets and
outlets may include one or more fluid inlets for reverse osmosis
("RO") water 8004, bicarbonate, an acid, and a dialysate 8006.
Also, one or more fluid outlets, including a drain, acid 8002 and
at least one air vent outlet as the vent for the dialysate tank. In
one embodiment, a tube (not shown) hangs off the outlet and is the
vent (to prevent contamination). Additional outlets for water,
bicarbonate and water mixture, dialysate mixture (bicarbonate with
acid and water added) are also included.
[0297] The dialysate flows out of the mixing cassette 500, to a
dialysate tank (not shown, shown as 1502 in FIG. 51A) and then
through a conduit to the inner dialysate cassette 700 (pumped by
the outer dialysate cassette 600 pod pumps 602 and 604 (604 not
shown, shown in FIGS. 46D and 46E). The fluid paths within the
cassettes may vary. Thus, the location of the various inlet and
outlets may vary with various cassette fluid paths.
[0298] Referring now to FIG. 51B, in one embodiment of the cassette
system, the condo cells, conductivity and temperature sensors, are
included in a separate cassette 1504 outside of the cassette system
shown in FIGS. 46A-46 C. This outside sensor cassette 1504 may be
one of those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,491,184, issued Jul. 23,
2013, entitled "Sensor Apparatus Systems, Devices and Methods," and
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0299] The fluid flow-path for this embodiment is shown in FIG.
51B. In this embodiment, during the mixing process for the
dialysate, the bicarbonate mixture leaves the mixing cassette 500
and flows to an outside sensor cassette, and then flows back into
the mixing cassette 500. If the bicarbonate mixture meets
pre-established thresholds, acid is then added to the bicarbonate
mixture. Next, once the bicarbonate and acid are mixed in the
mixing chamber 506, the dialysate flows out of the cassette into
the sensor cassette and then back to the mixing cassette 500.
[0300] Referring now to FIG. 46D, the mixing cassette 500 include a
pneumatic actuation side. In the block shown as 500, there are a
plurality of valves and two pumping chambers 8030, 8032 build into
the cassette 500 for pumping or metering the acid or bicarbonate.
In some embodiments, additional metering pumps, or less metering
pumps, are included. The metering pumps 8030, 8032 can be any size
desired. In some embodiments, the pumps are different sizes with
respect to one another, however, in other embodiments, the pumps
are the same size with respect to one another. For example, in one
embodiment, the acid pump is smaller than the bicarbonate pump.
This may be more efficient and effective when using a higher
concentration acid, as it may be desirable to use a smaller pump
for accuracy and also, it may be desirable for control schemes to
have a smaller pump so as to use full strokes in the control rather
than partial strokes.
[0301] The conduits 1200, 1300 include a check-valve. These
conduits 1200,1300 allow for one-way flow. In the exemplary
embodiment, these conduits 1200, 1300 all lead to drain. Referring
to the flow-path schematic FIG. 51A, the locations of these
check-valve conduits are apparent. In the embodiment shown, any
fluid that is meant for drain flows through the mixing cassette
500. Referring again to FIG. 46B, a fluid drain port 8006 is
located on the fluid side of the cassette 500.
[0302] Once the dialysate is mixed, and after the dialysate flows
to the sensor cassette (1504 in FIG. 51B) and it is determined that
the dialysate is not within set parameters/thresholds, then the
dialysate will be pumped back into the mixing cassette 500, through
a plain conduit 1400 then to the outer dialysate cassette 600, then
back through conduit a check valve conduit 1200 and then through
the mixing cassette 500 to the drain fluid outlet.
[0303] Referring now to FIGS. 46D and 46E, the various pods 502,
504, 506, 602, 604, 702, 704, 706, 708 are shown. Each of the pod
housings are constructed identically, however, the inside of the
pod housing is different depending on whether the pod is a pod pump
502, 504 602, 604, 702, 704 a balancing chamber pods 706, 708 or a
mixing chamber pod 504.
[0304] Referring now to FIGS. 46D and 46E, together with FIGS. 51A
and 51B, the various pods are shown both in the fluid flow-path and
on the cassette system. Pod 502 is the water pod pump and 504 is
the bicarbonate water pod pump (sends water to the bicarbonate) of
the mixing cassette 500. Pod 506 is the mixing chamber. Once the
dialysate is mixed in the mixing chamber 506, and then flows from
the mixing cassette 500 to the sensor cassette 1504, and it is
determined that the dialysate qualifies as acceptable, then the
dialysate flows to the dialysate tank 1502 through the mixing
cassette dialysate tank outlet. However, if the dialysate is
rendered unacceptable, then the fluid is pumped back into the
cassette 500, then through a 1400 conduit, to the outer dialysate
cassette 600 and then pumped through a 1200 check valve conduit,
through the mixing cassette 500 and out the drain outlet.
[0305] Referring to FIGS. 46A-46C, together with FIGS. 51A-B, the
outer dialysate cassette is shown 600 between the mixing cassette
500 and the inner dialysate cassette 700. Pod pumps 602, 604, pump
the dialysate from the dialysate tank 1502 and send it to the
balancing chambers 706,708 in the inner dialysate cassette 700
(driving force for the dialysate solution). The outer dialysate
cassette 600 pushes the dialysate into the inner dialysate cassette
(i.e., the pumps in the inner dialysate cassette 700 do not draw
the dialysate in). Thus, from the outer dialysate cassette 600, the
dialysate is pumped from the dialysate tank 1502, through a heater
1506 and through an ultrafilter 1508, and then into the inner
dialysate cassette 700.
[0306] Still referring now to FIGS. 46D and 46E, together with
FIGS. 51A-B, the inner dialysate cassette 700 includes a metering
pod 8038 (i.e., an ultra filtration metering pod) and includes
balancing pods 706, 708 and pod pumps 702, 704. The inner dialysate
cassette 700 also includes fluid outlets and inlets. These inlets
and outlets include the outlet to the dialyzer 1510, the inlet from
the dialyzer 1510, and a dialysate inlet (the ultrafilter 1508
connects to a port of the inner dialysate cassette). Fluid inlets
and outlets are also included for the DCA and DCV connections
during priming and disinfection. Various conduits (1200,1300,1400)
serve as fluid connections between the cassettes 500, 600, 700 and
are used for dialysate fluid flow as well as fluid to pass through
in order to drain through the mixing cassette 500. The largest
check valve 1300 (also shown in FIG. 50B) is the largest
check-valve, and is used during disinfection. This tube is larger
in order to accommodate, in the preferred embodiment, blood clots
and other contaminants that flow through the conduits during
disinfection.
[0307] The valves and pumps of the cassette system are
pneumatically actuated in the exemplary embodiment. The pneumatics
attach to the cassettes via individual tubes. Thus, each pump,
balancing pod, or valve includes an individual tube connection to a
pneumatic actuation manifold (not shown). Referring now to FIGS.
52A-F, the tubes are connected, in the exemplary embodiment, to at
least one block, 1600. In some embodiments, more than one block is
used to connect the various tubes. The block 1600 is dropped into
the manifold and then connected to the pneumatics actuators
appropriately. This allows for easy connection of the pneumatic
tubes to the manifold.
[0308] Referring again to FIG. 46D, the cassette system includes
springs 8034, in one embodiment, to aid in holding the system
together. The springs 8034 hook onto the mixing cassette 500 and
inner dialysate cassette 700 via catches 8036. However, in other
embodiments, any other means or apparatus to assist in maintaining
the system in appropriate orientation may be used including, but
not limited to, latching means or elastic means, for example.
[0309] Referring now to FIGS. 47A-47C, the exemplary embodiment of
the pod is shown. The pod includes two fluid ports 902, 904 (an
inlet and an outlet) and the pod may be constructed differently in
the various embodiments. A variety of embodiments of construction
are described in pending U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,594, issued Oct. 23,
2012 and entitled "Fluid Pumping Systems, Devices and Methods,"
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0310] Referring now to FIGS. 47A, 47D and 47E the groove 906 in
the chamber is shown. A groove 906 is included on each half of the
pod housing. In other embodiments, a groove is not included and in
some embodiments, a groove is only included on one half of the
pod.
[0311] Referring now to FIGS. 48A and 48B, the exemplary embodiment
of the membrane used in the pod pumps 502, 504 602, 604, 702, 704
is shown. This membrane is shown and described above with respect
to FIG. 5A. In other embodiments, any of the membranes shown in
FIGS. 5B-5D may be used. An exploded view of a pod pump according
to the exemplary embodiment is shown FIG. 49.
[0312] Various aspects of the invention include one or more "pod
pumps," used for various purposes. The structure of a general pod
pump will now be described, although, as noted above, this
structure may be modified for various uses, e.g., as a pump, a
balancing chamber, a mixing chamber, or the like. In addition, a
pod pump may be positioned anywhere in the system, for instance, on
a cassette or between two or more cassettes, etc.
[0313] Generally, a pod pump includes a rigid chamber (which may
have any suitable shape, e.g., spherical, ellipsoid, etc.), and the
pod pump may include a flexible diaphragm dividing each chamber
into a first half and a second half. In some cases, the rigid
chamber is a spheroid. As used herein, "spheroid" means any
three-dimensional shape that generally corresponds to a oval
rotated about one of its principal axes, major or minor, and
includes three-dimensional egg shapes, oblate and prolate
spheroids, spheres, and substantially equivalent shapes.
[0314] Each half of the pod pump may have at least one entry valve,
and often (but not always) has at least one exit valve (in some
cases, the same port may be used for both entry and exit). The
valves may be, for instance, open/closing valves or two-way
proportional valves. For instance, valves on one side of a chamber
may be two-way proportional valves, one connected to a high
pressure source, the other connected to a low pressure (or vacuum)
sink, while the valves on the other half may be opened and closed
to direct fluid flow.
[0315] In some embodiments, the diaphragm has a variable
cross-sectional thickness. Thinner, thicker or variable thickness
diaphragms may be used to accommodate the strength, flexural and
other properties of the chosen diaphragm materials. Thinner,
thicker or variable diaphragm wall thickness may also be used to
manage the diaphragm thereby encouraging it to flex more easily in
some areas than in other areas, thereby aiding in the management of
pumping action and flow of subject fluid in the pump chamber. In
this embodiment, the diaphragm is shown having its thickest
cross-sectional area closest to its center. However in other
embodiments having a diaphragm with a varying cross-sectional, the
thickest and thinnest areas may be in any location on the
diaphragm. Thus, for example, the thinner cross-section may be
located near the center and the thicker cross-sections located
closer to the perimeter of the diaphragm. In one embodiment of the
diaphragm, the diaphragm has a tangential slope in at least one
section, but in other embodiments, the diaphragm is completely
smooth or substantially smooth.
[0316] The diaphragm may be made of any flexible material having a
desired durability and compatibility with the subject fluid. The
diaphragm may be made from any material that may flex in response
to fluid, liquid or gas pressure or vacuum applied to the actuation
chamber. The diaphragm material may also be chosen for particular
bio-compatibility, temperature compatibility or compatibility with
various subject fluids that may be pumped by the diaphragm or
introduced to the chambers to facilitate movement of the diaphragm.
In the exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm is made from high
elongation silicone. However, in other embodiments, the diaphragm
is made from any elastomer or rubber, including, but not limited
to, silicone, urethane, nitrile, EPDM or any other rubber,
elastomer or flexible material.
[0317] The shape of the diaphragm is dependent on multiple
variables. These variables include, but are not limited to: the
shape of the chamber; the size of the chamber; the subject fluid
characteristics; the volume of subject fluid pumped per stroke; and
the means or mode of attachment of the diaphragm to the housing.
The size of the diaphragm is dependent on multiple variables. These
variables include, but are not limited to: the shape of the
chamber; the size of the chamber; the subject fluid
characteristics; the volume of subject fluid pumped per stroke; and
the means or mode of attachment of the diaphragm to the housing.
Thus, depending on these or other variables, the shape and size of
the diaphragm may vary in various embodiments.
[0318] The diaphragm may have any thickness. However, in some
embodiments, the range of thickness is between 0.002 inches to
0.125 inches (1 inch=2.54 cm). Depending on the material used for
the diaphragm, the desired thickness may vary. In one embodiment,
high elongation silicone is used in a thickness ranging from 0.015
inches to 0.050 inches. However in other embodiments, the thickness
may vary.
[0319] In the exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm is pre-formed to
include a substantially dome-shape in at least part of the area of
the diaphragm. Again, the dimensions of the dome may vary based on
some or more of the variables described above. However, in other
embodiments, the diaphragm may not include a pre-formed dome
shape.
[0320] In the exemplary embodiment, the diaphragm dome is formed
using liquid injection molding. However, in other embodiments, the
dome may be formed by using compression molding. In alternate
embodiments, the diaphragm is substantially flat. In other
embodiments, the dome size, width or height may vary.
[0321] In various embodiments, the diaphragm may be held in place
by various means and methods. In one embodiment, the diaphragm is
clamped between the portions of the cassette, and in some of these
embodiments, the rim of the cassette may include features to grab
the diaphragm. In others of this embodiment, the diaphragm is
clamped to the cassette using at least one bolt or another device.
In another embodiment, the diaphragm is over-molded with a piece of
plastic and then the plastic is welded or otherwise attached to the
cassette. In another embodiment, the diaphragm is pinched between a
mid plate and a bottom plate. Although some embodiments for
attachment of the diaphragm to the cassette are described, any
method or means for attaching the diaphragm to the cassette may be
used. The diaphragm, in one alternate embodiment, is attached
directly to one portion of the cassette. In some embodiments, the
diaphragm is thicker at the edge, where the diaphragm is pinched by
the plates, than in other areas of the diaphragm. In some
embodiments, this thicker area is a gasket, in some embodiments an
O-ring, ring or any other shaped gasket.
[0322] In some embodiments of the gasket, the gasket is contiguous
with the diaphragm. However, in other embodiments, the gasket is a
separate part of the diaphragm. In some embodiments, the gasket is
made from the same material as the diaphragm. However, in other
embodiments, the gasket is made of a material different from the
diaphragm. In some embodiments, the gasket is formed by
over-molding a ring around the diaphragm. The gasket may be any
shape ring or seal desired so as to complement the pod pump housing
embodiment. In some embodiments, the gasket is a compression type
gasket.
[0323] Due to the rigid chamber, the pod pump has a generally
constant volume. However, within the pod pump, the first and second
compartments may have differing volumes depending on the position
of the flexible diaphragm dividing the chamber. Forcing fluid into
one compartment may thus cause the fluid within the other
compartment of the chamber to be expelled. However, the fluids are
typically not able to come into direct contact with each other
within the pod pump due to the presence of the flexible
diaphragm.
[0324] Accordingly, in one embodiment, a pod pump used for pumping
is constructed to receive a control fluid in a first compartment
and a fluid to be pumped in a second compartment. The control fluid
may be any fluid, and may be a liquid or a gas. In one embodiment,
the control fluid is air. Drawing control fluid away from the pod
pump (e.g., through a vacuum, or at least a pressure lower than the
pressure within the pod pump) causes the pod pump to draw in fluid
(e.g., blood, dialysate, etc.) into the other compartment of the
pod pump. Similarly, forcing control fluid into the pod pump (e.g.,
from a high pressure source) causes the pod pump to expel fluid. By
also controlling the valves of the second compartment, fluid may be
brought in through a first valve and then expelled through a second
valve due to action of the control fluid.
[0325] As another example, a pod pump may be used for fluid
balancing, e.g., of dialysate as discussed above. In such cases,
instead of a control fluid, a fluid may be directed to each
compartment of the pod pump. As mentioned, the volume of the pod
pump remains generally constant due to the rigid chamber.
Accordingly, when a first volume of fluid is drawn into a first
compartment of a balancing pod, an equal volume of fluid is
expelled from the second compartment of the balancing pod (assuming
the fluids to be generally incompressible under conditions in which
the pod is operated). Thus, using such balancing pods, equal
volumes of fluid can be moved. For instance, in FIG. 5, a balancing
pod may allow fresh dialysate to enter a first compartment and used
dialysate to enter a second compartment; the volumetric flows of
fresh dialysate and used dialysate can be balanced against each
other.
[0326] In some cases, a pod pump is used that does not contain a
flexible diaphragm dividing the chamber. In such instances, the pod
pump can be used as a mixing chamber. For instance, mixing chamber
189 in FIG. 7A may be such a pod pump.
[0327] A non-limiting example of a pod pump is shown in FIG. 9.
This figure is a sectional view of a pneumatically controlled valve
that may be used in embodiments of the cassettes. "Pneumatic," as
used herein, means using air or other gas to move a flexible
diaphragm or other member. (It should be noted that air is used by
way of example only, and in other embodiments, other control
fluids, such as nitrogen (N.sub.2), CO.sub.2, water, an oil, etc.
may be used). Three rigid pieces are used, a "top" plate 91, a
middle plate 92, and a "bottom" plate. (The terms "top" and
"bottom" only refer to the orientation shown in FIG. 9. The valve
may be oriented in any direction in actual use.) The top and bottom
plates 91, 93 may be flat on both sides, while the middle plate 92
is provided with channels, indentations and holes to define the
various fluid paths, chamber and ports. A diaphragm 90, along with
the middle plate 92, defines a valving chamber 97. Pneumatic
pressure is provided through a pneumatic port 96 to either force,
with positive gas pressure, the diaphragm 90 against a valve seat
99 to close the valve, or to draw, with negative gas pressure, the
diaphragm away from the valve seat to open the valve. A control gas
chamber 98 is defined by the diaphragm 90, the top plate 91, and
the middle plate 92. The middle plate 92 has an indentation formed
on it, into which the diaphragm 90 is placed so as to form the
control gas chamber 98 on one side of the diaphragm and the valving
chamber 97 on the other side.
[0328] The pneumatic port 96 is defined by a channel formed on the
"top" surface of the middle plate 92, along with the top plate 91.
By providing fluid communication between several valving chambers
in a cassette, valves may be ganged together so that all the valves
ganged together may be opened or closed at the same time by a
single source of pneumatic pressure. Channels formed on the
"bottom" surface of the middle plate 92, along with the bottom
plate, define the valve inlet 94 and the valve outlet 95. Holes
formed through the middle plate 92 provide communication between
the inlet 94 and the valving chamber 97 (through the valve seat 99)
and between the valving chamber and the outlet 95.
[0329] The diaphragm 90 is provided with a thickened rim 88, which
fits tightly in a groove 89 in the middle plate 92. Thus, the
diaphragm 90 may be placed in and held by the groove 88 before the
top plate 91 is ultrasonically welded to the middle plate 92, so
the diaphragm will not interfere with the ultrasonic welding of the
two plates together, and so that the diaphragm does not depend on
the two plates being ultrasonically welded together in just the
right way to be held in place. Thus, this valve may be manufactured
easily without relying on ultrasonic welding to be done to very
tight tolerances. As shown in FIG. 9, the top plate 91 may include
additional material extending into control gas chamber 98 so as to
prevent the diaphragm 90 from being urged too much in a direction
away from the groove 89, so as to prevent the diaphragm's thickened
rim 88 from popping out of the groove 89.
[0330] Pressure sensors may be used to monitor pressure in the
pods. For instance by alternating applied air pressure to the
pneumatic side of the chamber, the diaphragm is cycled back and
forth across the total chamber volume. With each cycle, fluid is
drawn through the upstream valve of the inlet fluid port when the
pneumatics pull a vacuum on the pods. The fluid is then
subsequently expelled through the outlet port and the downstream
valve when the pneumatics deliver positive pressure to the
pods.
[0331] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a pod pump
that may be incorporated into embodiments of the fluid-control
cassettes. In some embodiments, the cassette would incorporate
several pod pumps and several valves made in accordance with the
construction techniques shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In such
embodiments, the pod pump of FIG. 10 is made from different
portions of the same three rigid pieces used to make the valve of
FIG. 9. These rigid pieces are the "top" plate 91, the middle plate
92, and the "bottom" plate. (As noted above, the terms "top" and
"bottom" only refer to the orientation shown in FIG. 9.) To form
the pod pump, the top and bottom plates 91, 93 may include
generally hemispheroid portions that together define a hemispheroid
pod pump.
[0332] A diaphragm 109 separates the central cavity of the pod pump
into a chamber (the pumping chamber) that receives the fluid to be
pumped and another chamber (the actuation chamber) for receiving
the control gas that pneumatically actuates the pump. An inlet 94
allows fluid to enter the pumping chamber, and an outlet allows
fluid to exit the pumping chamber. The inlet 94 and the outlet 95
may be formed between middle plate 92 and the bottom plate 93.
Pneumatic pressure is provided through a pneumatic port 106 to
either force, with positive gas pressure, the diaphragm 109 against
one wall of pod pump's cavity to minimize the pumping chamber's
volume (as shown in FIG. 10), or to draw, with negative gas
pressure, the diaphragm towards the other wall of the pod pump's
cavity to maximize the pumping chamber's volume.
[0333] In some embodiments of the pod pump, various configurations,
including grooving on one or more plates exposed to the cavity of
the pod pump, are used. Amongst other benefits, grooving can
prevent the diaphragm from blocking the inlet or outlet (or both)
flow path for fluid or air (or both).
[0334] The diaphragm 109 may be provided with a thickened rim 88,
which is held tightly in a groove 89 in the middle plate 92. Thus,
like in the valving chamber of FIG. 9, the diaphragm 109 may be
placed in and held by the groove 89 before the top plate 91 is
ultrasonically welded to the middle plate 92, so the diaphragm will
not interfere with the ultrasonic welding of the two plates
together, and so that the diaphragm does not depend on the two
plates being ultrasonically welded together in just the right way
to be held in place. Thus, this pod pump can be manufactured easily
without relying on ultrasonic welding to be done to very tight
tolerances.
[0335] FIG. 11A is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a
pressure actuation system 110 for a pod pump, such as that shown in
FIG. 10. In this example, air is used as a control fluid (e.g.,
such that the pump is pneumatically driven). As mentioned, other
fluids (e.g., water) may also be used as control fluids in other
embodiments.
[0336] In FIG. 11A, pressure actuation system 110 alternately
provides positive and negative pressurizations to the gas in the
actuation chamber 112 of the pod pump 101. The pneumatic actuation
system 110 includes an actuation-chamber pressure transducer 114, a
variable positive-supply valve 117, a variable negative-supply
valve 118, a positive-pressure gas reservoir 121, a
negative-pressure gas reservoir 122, a positive-pressure-reservoir
pressure transducer 115, a negative-pressure-reservoir pressure
transducer 116, as well as an electronic controller 119.
[0337] The positive-pressure reservoir 121 provides to the
actuation chamber 112 the positive pressurization of a control gas
to urge the diaphragm 109 towards a position where the pumping
chamber 111 is at its minimum volume (i.e., the position where the
diaphragm is against the rigid pumping-chamber wall). The
negative-pressure reservoir 122 provides to the actuation chamber
112 the negative pressurization of the control gas to urge the
diaphragm 109 in the opposite direction, towards a position where
the pumping chamber 111 is at its maximum volume (i.e., the
position where the diaphragm is against the rigid actuation-chamber
wall).
[0338] A valving mechanism is used in this example to control fluid
communication between each of these reservoirs 121, 122 and the
actuation chamber 112. In FIG. 11A, a separate valve is used for
each of the reservoirs; a positive-supply valve 117 controls fluid
communication between the positive-pressure reservoir 121 and the
actuation chamber 112, and a negative-supply valve 118 controls
fluid communication between the negative-pressure reservoir 122 and
the actuation chamber 112. These two valves are controlled by an
electronic controller 119. (Alternatively, a single three-way valve
may be used in lieu of the two separate valves 117, 118.) In some
cases, the positive-supply valve 117 and the negative-supply valve
118 are variable-restriction valves, as opposed to binary on-off
valves. An advantage of using variable valves is discussed
below.
[0339] The controller 119 also receives pressure information from
the three pressure transducers shown in FIG. 11A: an
actuation-chamber pressure transducer 114, a
positive-pressure-reservoir pressure transducer 115, and a
negative-pressure-reservoir pressure transducer 116. As their names
suggest, these transducers respectively measure the pressure in the
actuation chamber 112, the positive-pressure reservoir 121, and the
negative-pressure reservoir 122. The controller 119 monitors the
pressure in the two reservoirs 121, 122 to ensure they are properly
pressurized (either positively or negatively). A compressor-type
pump or pumps may be used to attain the desired pressures in these
reservoirs 121, 122.
[0340] In one embodiment, the pressure provided by the
positive-pressure reservoir 121 is strong enough, under normal
conditions, to urge the diaphragm 109 all the way against the rigid
pumping-chamber wall. Similarly, the negative pressure (i.e., the
vacuum) provided by the negative-pressure reservoir 122 is
preferably strong enough, under normal conditions, to urge the
diaphragm all the way against the rigid actuation-chamber wall. In
some embodiments, however, these positive and negative pressures
provided by the reservoirs 121, 122 are within safe enough limits
that even with either the positive-supply valve 117 or the
negative-supply valve 118 open all the way the positive or negative
pressure applied against the diaphragm 109 is not so strong as to
harm the patient.
[0341] In one embodiment, the controller 119 monitors the pressure
information from the actuation-chamber-pressure transducer 114 and,
based on this information, controls the valving mechanism (valves
117, 118) to urge the diaphragm 109 all the way to its
minimum-pumping-chamber-volume position and then after this
position is reached to pull the diaphragm 109 all the way back to
its maximum-pumping-chamber-volume position.
[0342] The pressure actuation system (including the
actuation-chamber pressure transducer 114, the
positive-pressure-reservoir pressure transducer 115, the
negative-pressure-reservoir pressure transducer 116, the variable
positive-supply valve 117, the variable negative-supply valve 118,
the controller 119, the positive-pressure gas reservoir 121, and
the negative-pressure gas reservoir 122) is located entirely or
mostly outside the insulated volume (item 61 of FIG. 6). The
components that come into contact with blood or dialysate (namely,
pod pump 101, the inlet valve 105 and the outlet valve 107) may be
located, in some cases, in the insulated volume so that they can be
more easily disinfected.
[0343] Another example of a pressure actuation system 110 for a pod
pump is illustrated in FIG. 11B. In this example, pod pump 101
includes a pumping chamber 111, an actuation chamber 112, and a
diaphragm 109 separating the two sides. Fluid ports 102 and 104
allow access of fluid in and out of pumping chamber 111, e.g.,
through the use of fluid valves (not shown). Within pod pump 101,
however, fluid ports 102 and 104 include a "volcano" port 126,
generally having a raised shape, such that when diaphragm 109
contacts the port, the diaphragm is able to form a tight seal
against the port. Also shown in FIG. 11B is a 3-way valve
connecting pressure reservoirs 121, 122. The 3-way valve 123 is in
fluid communication with actuation chamber 112 by a single port in
this example.
[0344] It will be appreciated that other types of actuation systems
may be used to move the diaphragm back and forth instead of the
two-reservoir pneumatic actuation system shown in FIGS.
11A-11B.
[0345] As noted above, the positive-supply valve 117 and the
negative-supply valve 118 in the pneumatic actuation system 110 of
FIG. 11A are preferably variable-restriction valves, as opposed to
binary on-off valves. By using variable valves, the pressure
applied to the actuation chamber 112 and the diaphragm 109 can be
more easily controlled to be just a fraction of the pressure in
reservoir 121, 122, instead of applying the full reservoir pressure
to the diaphragm. Thus, the same reservoir or set of reservoirs may
be used for different pod pumps, even though the pressures for
operating the pod pumps may differ from pod pump to pod pump. Of
course, the reservoir pressure needs to be greater than the desired
pressures to be applied to various pod pump's diaphragms, but one
pod pump may be operated at, say, half of the reservoir pressure,
and another pod pump may be actuated with the same reservoir but
at, say, a quarter of the reservoir pressure. Thus, even though
different pod pumps in the dialysis system are designed to operate
at different pressures, these pod pumps may all share the same
reservoir or set of reservoirs but still be actuated at different
pressures, through the use of variable valves. The pressures used
in a pod pump may be changed to address conditions that may arise
or change during a dialysis procedure. For example, if flow through
the system's tubing becomes constricted because the tubes get
twisted, one or both of the positive or negative pressures used in
the pod pump may be increased in order to over compensate for the
increased restriction.
[0346] FIG. 12 is a graph showing how pressures applied to a pod
pump may be controlled using variable valves. The vertical axis
represents pressure with P.sub.R+ and P.sub.R- representing
respectively the pressures in the positive and negative reservoirs
(items 121 and 122 in FIG. 11A), and P.sub.C+ and P.sub.C-
representing respectively the positive and negative control
pressures acting on the pod pump's diaphragm. As can be seen in
FIG. 12, from time T.sub.0 to about time T.sub.1, a positive
pressure is applied to the actuation chamber (so as to force fluid
out of the pumping chamber). By repeatedly reducing and increasing
the flow restriction caused by the positive variable valve (item
117 in FIG. 11A), the pressure being applied to the actuation
chamber can be held at about the desired positive control pressure,
P.sub.C+. The pressure varies, in a sinusoidal manner, around the
desired control pressure. An actuation-chamber pressure transducer
(item 114 in FIG. 11A) in communication with the actuation chamber
measures the pressure in the actuation chamber and passes the
pressure-measurement information to the controller (item 119 in
FIG. 11A), which in turn controls the variable valve so as to cause
the actuation chamber's pressure to vary around the desired control
pressure, P.sub.C+. If there are no fault conditions, the diaphragm
is pushed against a rigid wall of the pumping chamber, thereby
ending the stroke. The controller determines that the end of stroke
has been reached when the pressure measured in the actuation
chamber no longer drops off even though the restriction created by
the variable valve is reduced. In FIG. 12, the end of the expelling
stroke occurs around time T.sub.1. When the end of stroke is
sensed, the controller causes the variable valve to close
completely so that the actuation chamber's pressure does not
increase much beyond the desired control pressure, P.sub.C+.
[0347] After the positive variable valve is closed, the negative
variable valve (item 118 in FIG. 11A) is partially opened to allow
the negative pressure reservoir to draw gas from the actuation
chamber, and thus draw fluid into the pumping chamber. As can be
seen in FIG. 12, from a time shortly after T.sub.1 to about time
T.sub.2, a negative pressure is applied to the actuation chamber).
As with the expelling (positive pressure), stroke described above,
repeatedly reducing and increasing the flow restriction caused by
the negative variable valve can cause the pressure being applied to
the actuation chamber can be held at about the desired negative
control pressure, P.sub.C- (which is weaker than the pressure in
the negative pressure reservoir). The pressure varies, in a
sinusoidal manner, around the desired control pressure. The
actuation-chamber pressure transducer passes pressure-measurement
information to the controller, which in turn controls the variable
valve so as to cause the actuation chamber's pressure to vary
around the desired control pressure, P.sub.C-. If there are no
fault conditions, the diaphragm is pulled against a rigid wall of
the actuation chamber, thereby ending the draw (negative pressure)
stroke. As described above, the controller determines that the end
of stroke has been reached when the partial vacuum measured in the
actuation chamber no longer drops off even though the restriction
created by the variable valve is reduced. In FIG. 12, the end of
the draw stroke occurs around time T.sub.2. When the end of stroke
is sensed, the controller causes the variable valve to close
completely so that the actuation chamber's vacuum does not increase
much beyond the desired negative control pressure, P.sub.C-. Once
the draw stroke has ended, the positive variable valve can be
partially opened to begin a new expelling stroke with positive
pressure.
[0348] Thus, each pod pump in this example uses the two
variable-orifice valves to throttle the flow from the
positive-pressure source and into the negative-pressure. The
pressure in the actuation chamber is monitored and a controller
uses this pressure measurement to determine the appropriate
commands to both valves to achieve the desired pressure in the
actuation chamber. Some advantages of this arrangement are that the
filling and delivering pressure may be precisely controlled to
achieve the desired flow rate while respecting pressure limits, and
that the pressure may be varied with a small sinusoidal signature
command. This signature may be monitored to determine when the pump
reaches the end of a stroke.
[0349] Another advantage of using variable valves in this way,
instead of binary valves, is that by only partially opening and
closing the variable valves the valves are subject to less wear and
tear. The repeated "banging" of binary valves all the way opened
and all the way closed can reduce the life of the valve.
[0350] If the end of stroke is detected and the integrated value of
the correlation function is very small, this may be an indication
that the stroke occluded and did not complete properly. It may be
possible to distinguish upstream occlusions from downstream
occlusions by looking at whether the occlusion occurred on a fill
or a delivery stroke (this may be difficult for occlusions that
occur close to the end of a stroke when the diaphragm is near the
chamber wall). FIGS. 13A-13B depict occlusion detection (the
chamber pressure drops to 0 when an occlusion is detected).
[0351] Under normal operation, the integrated value of the
correlation function increases as the stroke progresses. If this
value remains small or does not increase the stroke is either very
short (as in the case of a very low impedance flow or an occlusion)
or the actual pressure may not be tracking the desired sinusoidal
pressure due to a bad valve or pressure signals. Lack of
correlation can be detected and used for error handling in these
cases.
[0352] Under normal circumstances when the flow controller is
running, the control loop will adjust the pressure for any changes
in flow rate. If the impedance in the circuit increases
dramatically and the pressure limits are saturated before the flow
has a chance to reach the target rate, the flow controller will not
be capable of adjusting the pressures higher to reach the desired
flow rate. These situations may arise if a line is partially
occluded, such as when a blood clot has formed in the circuit.
Pressure saturation when the flow has not reached the target flow
rate can be detected and used in error handling.
[0353] If there are problems with the valves or the pneumatics such
as a leaking fluid valve or a noisy pressure signal, ripple may
continue on the stroke indefinitely and the end of stroke algorithm
may not see enough of a change in the pressure ripple to detect end
of stroke. For this reason a safety check is added to detect if the
time to complete a stroke is excessive. This information can be
used for error handling.
[0354] In a dual pump, such as pump 13 in FIG. 3A, the two pump
chambers may be cycled in opposite directions to affect the pumping
cycle. A phase relationship from 0.degree. (both chambers act in
the same direction) to 180.degree. (chambers act in opposite
directions) can be selected. Phase movement may be modified
somewhat in certain cases because it may not be possible to move
both chambers in the same direction simultaneously; doing so could
have both input or output valves open and end of stroke will not be
detected properly.
[0355] Selecting a phase relationship of 180.degree. yields
continuous flow into and out of the pod. This is the nominal
pumping mode when continuous flow is desired. Setting a phase
relationship of 0.degree. is useful for single needle flow. The
pods will first fill from the needle and then deliver to the same
needle. Running at phases between 0 and 180 degrees can be used to
achieve a push/pull relationship (hemodiafiltration/continuous back
flush) across the dialyzer. FIGS. 8A-8C are graphical
representations of such phase relationships.
[0356] The pod pumps may control flow of fluid through the various
subsystems. For instance, a sinusoidal pressure waveform may be
added to a DC pressure command to make up the commanded pressure
signal for the pod pumps. When the diaphragm is moving, the
pressure in the pods tracks the sinusoidal command. When the
diaphragm comes in contact with the chamber wall and is no longer
moving, the pressure in the pod remains constant and does not track
the sinusoidal input command. This difference in the pressure
signal command following of the pods is used to detect the end of a
stroke. From the end of stroke information, the time for each
stroke is calculated. Knowing the volume of the pods and the time
to complete a stroke, a flow rate for each pod can be determined.
The flow rate is fed back in a PI loop in order to calculate the
required DC pressure for the next stroke.
[0357] The amplitude of the sinusoidal input may be selected such
it is large enough for the actual pressure to reasonably track the
command and small enough such that when it is subtracted from the
minimum DC pump pressure and applied to the pod, the pressure is
sufficient to cause the diaphragm to move under expected operating
conditions of fluid viscosity, head height and fluid circuit
resistance. The frequency of the sinusoidal input was selected
empirically such that it is possible to reliably detect end of
stroke. The more cycles of the sine wave per stroke, the more
accurate the end of stroke detection algorithm.
[0358] To detect the change in the command following of the pod
pressure, the pressure signal in the pods is sent through a cross
correlation filter. The size of the sampling window for the cross
correlation filter is equivalent to the period of the input sine
wave. For every sample in the window the commanded pressure signal
is multiplied by the previous sample of the actual pressure and
added to the previous correlation value. The window is then shifted
by one frame and the process is repeated. The resulting product is
then differentiated and passed through a second order filter with a
corner frequency the same as the input sine wave frequency and a
damping ratio of one. The effect of this filter is to act as a band
pass filter, isolating correlated signals at the input sinusoidal
frequency. The absolute value of the output of this filter is then
passed through a second order low pass filter with the same
frequency of the sinusoidal frequency and a damping ratio of 3.0.
This second filter is used integrate the differentiated signal to
and to reduce noise in the resulting signal. If the two signals are
correlated, the resulting filtered value will be large. If the two
signals are not correlated (for example at end of stroke), the
resulting filtered value will be small. The end of stroke can be
detected when the filtered cross correlation signal drops below a
particular threshold, or when the signal drops off a by a
percentage of its maximum value through out the stroke. To tune
performance for a particular pumping scenario, this threshold or
percent drop can be varied as a function of pressure or flow
rate.
[0359] Since the end of stroke algorithm typically takes about one
cycle of the sinusoidal ripple to detect end of stroke, minimizing
this cycle time (maximizing the sine wave frequency) reduces the
delay at the end of stroke. Low pressure, high frequency flows are
not well tracked by the controller. Lower pressure strokes tend to
have lower flow rates and thus the delay at the end of stroke is a
lesser percentage of the total stroke time. For this reason, the
frequency can be lower for low pressure strokes. Frequency of the
sine wave can be adjusted as a linear function of the delivery
pressures. This insures minimum delays when the strokes are the
shortest. When the frequency of the sine wave for the desired
pressure is changed, the filters for the cross correlation function
must also be adjusted. Filters are set up to continuously calculate
the filter coefficients based on this changing frequency.
[0360] Pressure in the pod chambers may also be controlled using
two variable solenoid valves; one connecting the plenum to a higher
pressure source, the second connecting the plenum to lower pressure
(or vacuum) sink. Solenoid valves tend to have a large dead band
region so a non-linear offset term is added to the controller to
compensate.
[0361] A diagram of an example control algorithm is shown in FIG.
14. The controller in this example is a standard discrete PI
controller. The output of the PI controller is split into two
paths; one for the source valve, one to the sink valve. An offset
term is added to each of these paths to compensate for the valve
dead band. The resulting command is then limited to valves greater
than zero (after being inverted in the case of the sink valve).
[0362] The offset term is positive in the case of the source valve,
and negative in the case of the sink valve. As a result, both
valves will be active even as the error goes to zero. These offsets
do improve the trajectory following and disturbance rejection
ability of the controller, but can also result in leakage from both
valves at steady state if the command offsets are slightly larger
than the actual valve dead band. If this is the case, the valves
will have equal and opposite leakage mass flows at steady
state.
[0363] To eliminate this leakage mass flow when the control system
is idle, a "power save" block can be added to turn off the valves
if the absolute value of the error term remains small for a period
of time. This is analogous to using mechanical brakes on a
servomotor.
[0364] Referring now to FIG. 15, the controller in this example
uses a standard discrete PI regulator; a diagram of the PI
regulator is shown. The integrator can be limited to prevent wind
up when the commands are saturated. The integrator will always be
capable of unwinding. Because there are different amounts of air in
the pod for a fill and a deliver stroke, the response of the pod
can be very different for a fill and deliver stroke. The
proportional gain is adjusted differently for a fill and deliver
stroke to better tune for the different pod responses.
[0365] The saturation limits chosen for the PI regulator should
take into account the offset that will be added to the result. For
example, if the valve saturates at 12V and a 5V fixed offset will
be added after the PI loop, the saturation limit in the PI loop
should be set to 7V. This positive and negative saturation limits
will likely be different due to the different dead band in the
source and sink valves.
[0366] During a fill stroke, the upstream fluid valve is closed and
the down stream fluid valve is opened to allow fluid flow into the
chamber. During a delivery stroke the upstream fluid valve is
opened and the downstream fluid valve is closed to allow fluid flow
out of the chamber. At the end of stroke, and until the next stroke
starts, both fluid valves are closed.
[0367] As discussed, in certain aspects, a pod pump may be operated
through action of a control fluid, for example, air, nitrogen,
water, an oil, etc. The control fluid may be chosen to be
relatively incompressible, and in some cases, chosen to be
relatively inexpensive and/or non-toxic. The control fluid may be
directed into the system towards the pumps using a series of tubes
or other suitable conduits. A controller may control flow of
control fluid through each of the tubes or conduits. In some cases,
the control fluid may be held at different pressures within the
various tubes or conduits. For instance, some of the control fluid
may be held at positive pressure (i.e., greater than atmospheric
pressure), while some of the control fluid may be held at negative
pressures (less than atmospheric pressure) or even zero pressure
(i.e., vacuum). As a specific, non-limiting example, a pod pump
such as the one illustrated in FIG. 11A may be controlled through
operation of the control fluid by the controller. As previously
discussed, the controller (119) may open and close valves (e.g.,
valves 117 and 118) to expose the pneumatic side of the pod pump to
a positive pressure (121) or a vacuum pressure (122) at different
points during a pumping cycle.
[0368] In addition, in certain embodiments, the controller
(typically electronic) may also be kept separate from the various
fluid circuits, such that there is no electronic contact between
the controller and the various fluid circuits, although the control
fluid (e.g., air) is able to pass between the controller and the
various pumps. This configuration has a number of advantages,
including ease of maintenance (the controller and the various
circuits can be repaired independently of each other). In one
embodiment, the fluid circuits may be heated to disinfection
temperatures and/or exposed to relatively high temperatures or
other harsh conditions (e.g., radiation) to effect disinfection,
while the electronic controller (which is typically more delicate)
is not exposed to such harsh conditions, and may even be kept
separate by an insulating wall (e.g., a "firewall") or the
like.
[0369] Thus, in some embodiments, the system may include a "cold"
section (which is not heated), and a "hot" section, portions of
which may be heated, e.g., for disinfection purposes. The cold
section may be insulated from the hot section through insulation.
In one embodiment, the insulation may be molded foam insulation,
but in other embodiments can be any type of insulation, including
but not limited to a spray insulation or an insulation cut from
sheets.
[0370] In some cases, the "hot" section may be heated to relatively
high temperatures, e.g., the "hot" section may be heated to
temperatures sufficient to sterilize components within the "hot"
section. As many electronics can not go above 50.degree. C. without
failing or other adverse consequences, it may be advantageous in
some embodiments to separate the electronics from other components
that may be disinfected. Thus, in some cases, the components that
may need to be disinfected are kept in the "hot" section, while
components that cannot be heated to such temperatures are kept in
the "cold" section. In one embodiment, the cold section includes a
circulation system, e.g., a fan and/or a grid to allow air to flow
in and out of the cold box.
[0371] All, or a portion of, the "hot" section may be encased in
insulation. In some cases, the insulation may be extended to cover
access points to the "hot" section, e.g., doors, ports, gaskets,
and the like. For instance, when the "hot" section is sealed, the
insulation may completely surround the "hot" section in some
cases.
[0372] Non-limiting examples of components that may be present
within the "cold" section include power supplies, electronics,
power cables, pneumatic controls, or the like. In some cases, at
least some of the fluids going to and from the "hot" section may
pass through the "cold" section; however, in other cases, the
fluids may pass to the "hot" section without passing through the
"cold" section.
[0373] Non-limiting examples of components that may be present
within the "hot" section include cassettes (if present), fluid
lines, or the like. In some cases, some electrical components may
also be included in the "hot" section. These include, but are not
limited to, a heater. In one embodiment, the heater can be used to
heat the hot box itself, in addition to fluid (see, e.g., heater 72
of FIG. 3A). In some embodiments, the heater heats the entire "hot"
section to reach a desired temperature.
[0374] In one embodiment, the "hot" section includes some or all of
the fluidic lines. In addition, in some cases, the "hot" section
may include, but is not limited to, temperature and conductivity
sensors, blood leak sensors, heaters, other sensors, switches,
emergency lights, or the like.
[0375] In some cases, a manifold may transition from the "cold"
section to the "hot" section, e.g., a manifold for air or another
control fluid.
[0376] Separating the components into "hot" and "cold" sections may
offer several advantages; those include, but are not limited to:
longevity of electrical components, reliability, or efficiency. For
example, by separating the components into hot and cold, the entire
hot box may be heated. This may allows for more efficient use of
heat which leads to a more energy efficient system. This also may
allow for the use of standard, off the shelf electronics which
leads to lower cost.
[0377] In some embodiments, the control fluid used for controlling
the pumps, valves, etc. is air, and the air may be brought into the
system through the operation of one or more air compressors. In
some cases, the air compressor may be kept separate from the blood
flow path and the dialysate flow path systems within the system,
and air from the air compressor may be brought to the various pumps
through various tubes, conduits, pipes, or the like. For example,
in one embodiment, a pneumatic interface is used to direct air from
the air compressor to a series of tubes or conduits fluidically
connected with the various pumps or chambers.
[0378] A non-limiting example can be seen in FIG. 16, which shows a
schematic representation of a dual-housing arrangement according to
one embodiment. This arrangement may be advantageously used with
cassettes that include many pneumatically actuated pumps and/or
valves. If the number of pneumatically actuated pumps and/or valves
in a cassette is large enough, the cassette containing these pumps
and valves can become so large, and the pressures involved can
become so great, that it may become difficult to properly seal and
position all of the pumps and valves. This difficulty may be
alleviated by using two or more different housings. The valves and
pumps (such as pod pumps 42) are placed in a main housing 41, from
which connecting tubes 45 lead from pneumatic ports 44. The main
housing 41 also has inlet and outlet tubes 43, which allow liquid
to flow into and out of the main housing. The connecting tubes 45
provide pneumatic communication between valves and pumps in the
main housing 41 and a smaller, secondary tube-support housing 46,
which is provided with a pneumatic interface 47 for each of the
tubes. The proper positioning and sealing of all the pneumatic
interfaces 47 against receptacles in the base unit can be
accomplished more easily with the smaller tube-support housing 46
than it would be if the pneumatic actuation was applied to the
larger main housing directly.
[0379] The control fluid (e.g., air) may be supplied to the system
with one or more supply tanks or other pressure sources, in one set
of embodiments. For instance, if two tanks are used, one supply
tank may be a positive pressure reservoir, and in one embodiment,
has a set point of 750 mmHg (gauge pressure) (1 mmHg is about 133.3
pascals). The other supply tank can be a vacuum or negative
pressure reservoir, and in one embodiment, has a set point of -450
mmHg (gauge pressure). This pressure difference may be used, for
instance, between the supply tanks and the required pod pressure to
allow for accurate control of the variable valves to the pod pumps.
The supply pressure limits can be set based on maximum pressures
that can be set for the patient blood flow pump plus some margin to
provide enough of a pressure difference for control of the variable
valves. Thus, in some cases, the two tanks may be used to supply
pressures and control fluids for the entire system.
[0380] In one embodiment, two independent compressors service the
supply tanks. Pressure in the tanks can be controlled using any
suitable technique, for instance, with a simple bang-bang
controller (a controller that exists in two states, i.e., in an on
or open state, and an off or closed state), or with more
sophisticated control mechanisms, depending on the embodiment. As
an example of a bang-bang controller, for the positive tank, if the
actual pressure is less then the desired pressure minus a
hysteresis, the compressor servicing the positive tank is turned
on. If the actual pressure is greater then the desired pressure
plus a hysteresis, the compressor servicing the positive tank is
turned off. The same logic may be applied to the vacuum tank and
control of the vacuum compressor with the exception that the sign
of the hysteresis term is reversed. If the pressure tanks are not
being regulated, the compressor is turned off and the valves are
closed.
[0381] Tighter control of the pressure tanks can be achieved by
reducing the size of the hysteresis band, however this will result
in higher cycling frequencies of the compressor. If very tight
control of these reservoirs is required, the bang-bang controller
could be replaced with a PID controller and using PWM signals on
the compressors. Other methods of control are also possible.
[0382] However, other pressure sources may be used in other
embodiments, and in some cases, more than one positive pressure
source and/or more than one negative pressure source may be used.
For instance, more than one positive pressure source may be used
that provides different positive pressures (e.g., 1000 mmHg and 700
mmHg), which may be used to minimize leakage. For example, high
positive pressure can be used to control valves, whereas lower
positive pressures can be used to control pumps. This limits the
amount of pressure that can potentially be sent to the dialyzer or
to the patient, and helps to keep actuation of the pumps from
overcoming the pressures applied to adjacent valves. A non-limiting
example of a negative pressure is -400 mmHg. In some cases, the
negative pressure source may be a vacuum pump, while the positive
pressure pump may be an air compressor.
[0383] Certain aspects of the invention include various sensors;
for instance, in various embodiments of the inventions described
herein, systems and methods for fluid handling may be utilized that
comprise sensor apparatus systems comprising a sensor manifold.
Examples of such embodiments may include systems and methods for
the diagnosis, treatment, or amelioration of various medical
conditions, including embodiments of systems and methods involving
the pumping, metering, measuring, controlling, and/or analysis of
various biological fluids and/or therapeutic agents, such as
various forms of dialysis, cardiac bypass, and other types of
extracorporeal treatments and therapies. Further examples include
fluid treatment and preparation systems, including water treatment
systems, water distillation systems, and systems for the
preparation of fluids, including fluids utilized diagnosis,
treatment, or amelioration of various medical conditions, such as
dialysate.
[0384] Examples of embodiments of the inventions described herein
may include dialysis systems and methods. More specifically,
examples of embodiments of the inventions described herein may
include hemodialysis systems and methods of the types described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,680, filed Oct. 12, 2007
and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,049 on Sep. 25, 2012, entitled
"Pumping Cassette"; or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,648,
filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,563 on Oct.
25, 2011, entitled "Cassette System Integrated Apparatus," each
incorporated herein by reference.
[0385] In such systems and methods, the utilization of one or more
sensor manifolds may allow subject media to be moved from one
environment to another environment that is more conducive to
obtaining sensor readings. For example, the cassette manifold may
be contained in an area that is less subject to various types of
environment conditions, such as temperature and/or humidity, which
would not be preferable for sensor apparatus such as a sensing
probe. Alternatively, sensing apparatus and sensing apparatus
system may be delicate and may be more prone to malfunctions than
other components of a system. Separating the sensor apparatus and
the sensor apparatus systems from other components of the system by
use of a sensor manifold may allow the sensing apparatus and
sensing apparatus systems to be checked, calibrated, repaired or
replaced with minimal impact to other components in the system. The
ability to check, calibrate, repair or replace the sensor manifold
with minimal impact to the remainder of the system may be
advantageous when utilized in connection with the integrated
cassette systems and methods described in a U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/038,648, filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat.
No. 8,042,563 on Oct. 25, 2011, entitled "Cassette System
Integrated Apparatus". Alternatively, the sensor manifold may be
replaced either more or less frequently than other components of
the system.
[0386] With reference to FIGS. 53-58, various embodiments of an
exemplary sensor manifold are shown. One or more subject media,
e.g., a liquid in these exemplary embodiments, may be contained in
or flow through cassette manifold 4100. For example, one subject
media may enter cassette manifold 4100 via pre-molded tube
connector 4101 and exit the cassette manifold via pre-molded tube
connector 4102. Between tube connector 4101 and 4102, there is a
fluid path though the cassette (best shown as fluid path 4225 in
FIG. 54) Likewise, fluid paths (shown as fluid paths 4223, 4220,
4222, 4224, and 4221 respectively in FIG. 54) extend between sets
of tube connectors 4103 and 4104; 4105 and 4106; 4107, 4108, and
4109; 4110 and 4111; and 4112 and 4113. In certain embodiments,
each fluid path may contain subject media of different composition
or characteristics. In other embodiments, one or more fluid paths
may contain the same or similar subject media. In certain
embodiments, the same subject media may be flowed through more than
one flow path at the same time to check and/or calibrate the sensor
apparatus systems associated with such fluid paths.
[0387] Referring now to FIG. 55, in these exemplary embodiments of
sensor manifold 4100 that may be used in conjunction with the
sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus systems described herein, the
cassette includes a top plate 4302 and a base 4301. Fluid paths,
such as the fluid path 4225 (as shown in FIG. 54) extending between
tube connectors 4101 and 4102 extend between the base and top
plate. The cassettes may be constructed from a variety of
materials. Generally, in the various exemplary embodiment, the
materials used are solid and non flexible. In the preferred
embodiment, the plates are constructed of polysulfone, but in other
embodiments, the cassettes are constructed of any other solid
material and in exemplary embodiments, of any thermoplastic. Some
embodiments of sensor manifold 4100 may be fabricated utilizing the
systems and methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/038,648, filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,042,563 on Oct. 25, 2011, entitled "Cassette System Integrated
Apparatus".
[0388] Referring again to FIG. 55, in these exemplary embodiments
of sensor manifolds that may be used in conjunction with the sensor
apparatus and sensor apparatus systems described herein, the sensor
manifold 4100 may also include printed circuit board (PCB) 4304 and
a PCB cover 4305. Various embodiments may also include connector
4303 (also shown in FIGS. 53 and 56B) which may be utilized to
mechanically connect the cassette manifold 4100 to the system, such
as a hemodialysis system. Cassette manifold 4100 may also utilize
various methods to hold the layers of sensor manifold 4100 together
as a unit. In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 43, connectors
4306 (also shown in FIG. 56B), which in one embodiment is a screw,
but in other embodiments may be any means for connection, are
utilized, but any means known to one of skill in the art, such as
other types of screws, welds, clips, clamps, and other types of
chemical and mechanical bonds may be utilized.
[0389] Referring now to FIG. 56A, in exemplary embodiments of the
sensor manifold 4100, tube connectors, such as tube connector 4401,
is utilized to bring subject media into or remove subject media
from fluid path 4402. Sensing probes, such as sensing probe 4404
extending into fluid path 4402, are incorporated into sensor
manifold 4100 so as to determine various properties of the subject
media contained in or flowing through the particular fluid path in
the sensor manifold. In various embodiments one sensing probe may
be utilized to sense temperature and/or other properties of the
subject media. In another embodiment, two sensing probes may be
utilized to sense temperature and/or conductivity and/or other
properties of the subject media. In yet further embodiments, three
or more sensing probes may be included. In some embodiments, one or
more combination temperature and conductivity sensing probes of the
types generally described herein may be utilized. In other
embodiments, the conductivity sensors and temperature sensor can be
any conductivity or temperature sensor in the art. In one
embodiment, the conductivity sensor elements (or sensor leads) are
graphite posts. In other embodiments, the conductivity sensors
elements are posts made from stainless steel, titanium, or any
other material of the type typically used for (or capable of being
used for) conductivity measurements. In certain embodiments, the
conductivity sensors will include an electrical connection that
transmits signals from the sensor lead to a sensor mechanism,
controller or other device. In various embodiments, the temperature
sensor can be any of the temperature sensors commonly used (or
capable of being used) to sense temperature.
[0390] Referring again to FIG. 56A, sensing probe 4404 is
electrically connected to PCB 4405. In certain embodiments, an
electrically conductive epoxy is utilized between sensor element
4404 and PCB 4405 to ensure appropriate electrical connection,
although other methods known to those of skill in the art may be
used to obtain an appropriate electrical connection between sensor
element 4404 and PCB 4405. PCB 4405 is shown with edge connector
4406. In various embodiments, edge connector 4406 may be used to
transmit sensor information from cassette manifold 4100 to the main
system. Edge connector 4406 may be connected to a media edge
connector (such as media edge connector 4601 shown in FIG. 58). In
various embodiments, media edge connector 4601 may be installed in
a hemodialysis machine (not shown). In such embodiments, guide
tracks 4310 and 4311 (as shown in FIG. 55) may be utilized to
assist in the connection of edge connector 4406 and media edge
connector 4601. Various embodiments may also include connector 4303
(as shown in FIGS. 53, 55 and 56B) which may be utilized to
mechanically connect the cassette manifold 4100 to the system, such
as a hemodialysis system.
[0391] Referring again to FIG. 56A, air trap 4410 is shown. In
certain embodiments, an air trap, such as air trap 4410, may be
utilized to trap and purge air in the system. As may be best shown
in FIG. 54, subject media may flow through fluid path 4222 between
tube connectors 4107 and 4109 in sensor manifold 4100. As the flow
of the subject media is slowed around the turn in fluid path 4222
(near tube connector 4108), air may be removed from the subject
media through connector 4108.
[0392] Referring now to FIG. 56B, PCB cover 4305 is shown. PCB
cover 4305 may be connected to sensor manifold 4100 by connectors
4306. Edge connector 4406 is also shown.
[0393] In accordance with certain embodiments, sensor manifold 4100
is passive with respect to control of the fluid flow. In such
embodiments, sensor manifold 4100 does not contain valves or
pumping mechanisms to control the flow of the subject media. In
such embodiments, the flow of the subject media may be controlled
by fluid control apparatus external to sensor manifold 4100. In
other embodiments, the sensor manifold may include one or more
mechanical valves, pneumatic valves or other type of valve
generally used by those of skill in the art. In such embodiments,
the sensor manifold may include one or more pumping mechanisms,
including pneumatic pumping mechanisms, mechanical pumping
mechanisms, or other type of pumping mechanisms generally used by
those of skill in the art. Examples of such valves and pumping
mechanisms may include the valves and pumping mechanisms described
in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,680, filed Oct. 12, 2007
and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,049 on Sep. 25, 2012, entitled
"Pumping Cassette"; or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,648,
filed Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,563 on Oct.
25, 2011, entitled "Cassette System Integrated Apparatus".
[0394] Referring now to FIG. 57, tube connector 4401 is shown in
base 4301. Top plate 4302 is shown, along with connector 4303.
Sensing probes, such as sensing probe 4501, extend through top
plate 4302 into fluid path 4503. Sensing probe 4501 may be various
types of sensors, including the embodiments of sensing probes
generally discussed herein.
[0395] The sensing probes, such as sensing probe 4501, may be all
the same, may be individually selected from various sensors based
on the type of function to be performed, or the same probe may be
individually modified based on the type of function to be
performed. Similarly, the configuration of the fluid paths, such as
the length of the fluid path and the shape of the fluid path, may
be selected based on the function to be performed. By way of
example, to detect the temperature of the subject media in a fluid
path, a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, may be used.
Again, by way of example, to measure the conductivity of the
subject media, one sensing probe configured to measure temperature
and conductivity, and one sensing probe configured only to measure
conductivity may be utilized. In other embodiments, two or more
sensing probes configured to measure both temperature and
conductivity may be utilized. In various embodiments of such
configurations, by way of example, the second temperature sensor
may be present but not utilized in normal operation, or the second
temperature may be utilized for redundant temperature measurements,
or the or the second temperature may be utilized for redundant
temperature measurements.
[0396] Referring again to FIG. 57, PCB 4502 is shown with
electrical connection 4503. As further shown in FIG. 58, PCB 4602
is shown with electrical connection 4603 for connection to a
sensing probe (shown as 4501 in FIG. 45). PCB 4602 also contains
opening 4604 for attachment to top plate (shown as 4305 in FIG.
57). In certain embodiments, electrical connection 4603 is mounted
onto, or manufactured with, PCB 4602 with air gap 4606. In such
embodiments, air gap 4606 may be utilized to provide protection to
the electrical connection between sensing probe 4501 and PCB 4602
by allowing shrinking and expansion of the various components of
sensor manifold 4100 with lesser impact to PCB 4602.
[0397] Referring again to FIG. 58, PCB 4602 is also shown with edge
connector 4605. As described herein, edge connector 4605 may
interface with edge connector receiver 4601, which may be connected
to the system, such as the hemodialysis system, to which sensor
manifold 4100 interfaces.
[0398] Various embodiments of exemplary sensor manifold 4100 shown
in FIG. 53-58 may be utilized in conjunction with hemodialysis
systems and methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/871,680, filed Oct. 12, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,273,049 on Sep. 25, 2012, entitled "Pumping Cassette"; or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/038,648, filed Feb. 27, 2008 and
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,563 on Oct. 25, 2011, entitled
"Cassette System Integrated Apparatus". In certain embodiments,
sensor manifold 4100 contains all of the temperature and
conductivity sensors shown in FIG. 59. FIG. 59 depicts a fluid
schematic in accordance with one embodiment of the inventions
described in the patent applications reference above.
[0399] By way of example, in various embodiments, the temperature
and conductivity of the subject media at position 4701 as shown in
FIG. 59 may be determined utilizing sensor manifold 4100. In such
embodiments, subject media flows into tube connector 4105 (as shown
in FIG. 53) through fluid path 4220 (as shown in FIG. 54) and exits
at tube connector 4106 (as shown in FIG. 53). The conductivity of
the subject media is measured by two sensing probes (not shown)
extending into fluid path 4220, at least one of which has been
configured to include a temperature sensing element, such as a
thermistor. The conductivity measurement or the temperature
measurement of the subject media may be utilized to determine
and/or correlate a variety of information of utility to the
hemodialysis system. For example, in various embodiments at
position 4701 in FIG. 59, the subject media may be comprised of
water to which a bicarbonate-based solution has been added.
Conductivity of the subject media at position 4701 may be utilized
to determine if the appropriate amount of the bicarbonate based
solution has been added prior to position 4701. In certain
embodiments, if the conductivity measurement deviates from a
predetermined range or deviates from a predetermined measurement by
more than a predetermined amount, then the subject media may not
contain the appropriate concentration of the bicarbonate based
solution. In such instances, in certain embodiments, the
hemodialysis system may be alerted.
[0400] Again, by way of example, in various embodiments, the
conductivity of the subject media at position 4702 as shown in FIG.
59 may be determined utilizing sensor manifold 4100. In such
embodiments, subject media flows into tube connector 4112 (as shown
in FIG. 41) through fluid path 4221 (as shown in FIG. 54) and exits
at tube connector 4113 (as shown in FIG. 53). The conductivity of
the subject media is measured by two sensing probes (not shown)
extending into fluid path 4221, at least one of which has been
configured to include a temperature sensing element, such as a
thermistor. The conductivity measurement or the temperature
measurement of the subject media may be utilized to determine
and/or correlate a variety of information of utility to the
hemodialysis system. For example, in various embodiments at
position 4702 in FIG. 59, the subject media may be comprised of
water to which a bicarbonate-based solution and then an acid based
solution has been added. Conductivity of the subject media at
position 4702 may be utilized to determine if the appropriate
amount of the acid based solution (and the bicarbonate based
solution in a previous step) has been added prior to position 4702.
In certain embodiments, if the conductivity measurement deviates
from a predetermined range or deviates from a predetermined
measurement by more than a predetermined amount, then the subject
media may not contain the appropriate concentration of the acid
based solution and the bicarbonate based solution. In such
instances, in certain embodiments, the hemodialysis system may be
alerted.
[0401] By way of further example, in various embodiments, the
temperature and conductivity of the subject media at position 4703
as shown in FIG. 59 may be determined utilizing sensor manifold
4100. In such embodiments, subject media may flow into or out of
tube connector 4107 (as shown in FIG. 53) through fluid path 4222
(as shown in FIG. 54) and may flow into or out of tube connector
4109 (as shown in FIG. 53). As described herein, air may be removed
from the subject media as it moves past the turn in fluid path
4222. In such instances, a portion of the subject media may be
removed through tube connector 4108 to the drain, bringing with it
air from the air trap. The conductivity of the subject media is
measured by two sensing probes (not shown) extending into fluid
path 4222, at least one of which has been configured to include a
temperature sensing element, such as a thermistor. The conductivity
measurement or the temperature measurement of the subject media may
be utilized to determine and/or correlate a variety of information
of utility to the hemodialysis system. For example, in various
embodiments, the conductivity measurement at position 4703 in FIG.
59 may be utilized to correlate to the clearance of the dialyzer.
In such instances, in certain embodiments, this information may
then be sent to the hemodialysis system.
[0402] Again, by way of further example, in various embodiments,
the temperature of the subject media at position 4704 as shown in
FIG. 59 may be determined utilizing sensor manifold 4100. In such
embodiments, subject media flows into tube connector 4103 (as shown
in FIG. 53) through fluid path 4223 (as shown in FIG. 54) and exits
at tube connector 4104 (as shown in FIG. 53). The temperature of
the subject media is measured by one or more sensing probes (not
shown) extending into fluid path 4223. The temperature measurement
of the subject media at position 4704 may be utilized to determine
and/or correlate a variety of information of utility to the
hemodialysis system. For example, in various embodiments at
position 4704 in FIG. 59, the temperature of the subject media is
determined down stream of a heating apparatus 4706. If the
temperature deviates from a predetermined range or deviates from a
predetermined measurement by more than a predetermined amount, then
the hemodialysis system may be alerted. For example in certain
embodiments, the subject media may be re-circulated through the
heating apparatus 4706 until the temperature of the subject media
is within a predetermined range.
[0403] Again, by way of further example, in various embodiments,
the temperature and conductivity of the subject media at position
4705 as shown in FIG. 59 may be determined utilizing sensor
manifold 4100. In such embodiments, subject media flows into tube
connector 4110 (as shown in FIG. 53) through fluid path 4224 (as
shown in FIG. 54) and exits at tube connector 4111 (as shown in
FIG. 53). The conductivity of the subject media is measured by two
sensing probes (not shown) extending into fluid path 4224, at least
one of which has been configured to include a temperature sensing
element, such as a thermistor. The conductivity measurement or the
temperature measurement of the subject media may be utilized to
determine and/or correlate a variety of information of utility to
the hemodialysis system. For example, the temperature and
conductivity measurement at position 4705 may be used as a further
safety check to determine if the temperature, conductivity, and, by
correlation, the composition of, the subject media is within
acceptable ranges prior to the subject media reaching the dialyzer
4707 and, thus, the patient. In certain embodiments, if the
temperature and/or conductivity measurement deviates from a
predetermined range or deviates from a predetermined measurement by
more than a predetermined amount, then the hemodialysis system may
be alerted.
[0404] For the various embodiments described herein, the cassette
may be made of any material, including plastic and metal. The
plastic may be flexible plastic, rigid plastic, semi-flexible
plastic, semi-rigid plastic, or a combination of any of these. In
some of these embodiments the cassette includes one or more thermal
wells. In some embodiments one or more sensing probes and/or one or
more other devices for transferring information regarding one or
more characteristics of such subject media are in direct contact
with the subject media. In some embodiments, the cassette is
designed to hold fluid having a flow rate or pressure. In other
embodiments, one or more compartments of the cassette is designed
to hold mostly stagnant media or media held in the conduit even if
the media has flow.
[0405] In some embodiments, the sensor apparatus may be used based
on a need to separate the subject media from the sensing probe.
However, in other embodiments, the sensing probe is used for
temperature, conductivity, and/or other sensing directly with
subject media.
[0406] Another aspect of the invention is generally directed to
methods and operations of the systems as discussed herein. For
instance, a hemodialysis system may be primed, flow-balanced,
emptied, purged with air, disinfected, or the like.
[0407] One set of embodiments is generally directed to priming of
the system with a fluid. The fluid to be primed is first directed
to a dialysate tank (e.g. dialysate tank 169). Ultrafilter 73 is
then first primed by pushing fluid from dialysate tank 169 to
ultrafilter 73, and caused to exit line 731 through waste line 39
to the drain, as is shown by the heavy black lines in FIG. 17A. Any
air present in ultrafilter 73 naturally rises to the priming port
and is flushed to the drain.
[0408] Next, as is shown in FIG. 17B, the balancing circuit and
pump 159 of the directing circuit are primed by pushing fluid
through the ultrafilter 73, through the balancing circuit, and out
to the drain. Pump 159 is primed by running fluid forwards (through
the ultrafilter to the drain). Air entering dialyzer 14 bubbles to
the top of the dialyzer and leaves through the dialyzer exit to the
drain.
[0409] Next, the blood flow pump and tubing are primed by
circulating fluid through the blood flow circuit and the air trap
back to the directing circuit via conduit 67. As can be seen in
FIG. 17C, fluid passes through the ultrafilter and dialyzer,
forcing flow through the air trap and down the drain. The air trap
traps air circulating in the blood flow circuit and sends it to the
drain. Priming can be stopped when the air sensors stop detecting
air (and some additional fluid has been passed through the system,
as a safety margin).
[0410] Another set of embodiments is directed to adding air to the
system, e.g., to empty the system of various fluids. For example,
in one operation the dialysate tank is emptied. Vent 226 on
dialysate tank 169 is opened, and pump 159 is used to pump fluid
from the dialysate tank to the drain until air is detected in pump
159 (discussed below). This is shown in FIG. 19.
[0411] Air may also be pumped into the balancing circuit in certain
embodiments. This is shown in FIG. 20. Vent 226 on dialysate 16 is
opened so that air may enter the dialysate tank. Pump 159 is used
to pump air through the outside of ultrafilter 73. This air
pressure displaces fluid outside the ultrafilter to the inside,
then it flows through the dialyzer and down the drain. During this
operation, pump 159 and the outside of the ultrafilter will fill
with air.
[0412] In addition, air can be drawn in through the anticoagulant
pump 80 into the blood flow circuit, as is shown in FIG. 21A. The
air is first brought into pod pumps 23 (FIG. 21A), then may be
directed from the pod pumps to the arterial line 203 and down the
drain (FIG. 21B), or to the venous line 204 (through dialyzer 14)
and down the drain (FIG. 21C).
[0413] In one set of embodiments, integrity tests are conducted. As
the ultrafilter and the dialyzer may be constructed with membrane
material that will not readily pass air when wet, an integrity test
may be conducted by priming the filter with water, then applying
pressurized air to one side of the filter. In one embodiment, an
air outlet is included on one of the blood flow pumps and thus, the
pumping chamber may be used to pump air for use in the integrity
test. This embodiment uses the advantage of a larger pump. The air
pressure pushes all of the water through the filter, and the air
flow stops once the water has been displaced. However, if the air
flow continues, the membrane is ruptured and must be replaced.
Accordingly, the system is primed with water. First, the mixing
circuit is primed first to eliminate air prior to the dialysate
tank. Then the outside of the ultrafilter is primed next, as the
ultrafilter will not pass water to the balancing circuit until the
outside is primed. The balancing circuit and the dialyzer are
primed next. Finally, water is pushed across the dialyzer to prime
the blood flow circuit.
[0414] The mixing circuit is primed by first pushing water with
pump 183, through line 281 and bicarbonate source 28, then through
each of the pumps and through line 186 to dialysate tank 169.
Dialysate tank 169 is vented so air that is pushed through bubbles
to the top and leaves through vent 226. Once air has been primed
out of dialysate tank 169, the tank is filled with water, then the
priming flow continues from the dialysate tank through ultrafilter
73 to the drain. This can be seen in FIG. 22A. Water is then primed
as previously discussed (see FIG. 17). Next, the blood flow pod
pumps 23 are filled with water from dialysate tank 169, as is shown
in FIG. 22B, while balancing pumps 15 are emptied, as is shown in
FIG. 22C.
[0415] The test is conducted by using the blood flow pump to push
each chamber of water across dialyzer 14 to balancing pump chambers
15, which start empty (FIG. 22C) and are vented to the atmosphere
so that they are present at atmospheric pressure on the dialysate
side of dialyzer 14. See FIG. 22D. Each of the blood flow circuit
chambers delivers using a specific pressure and the end-of-stroke
is determined to determine the flow rate.
[0416] Another integrity test is the ultrafilter flow test. In this
test, the dialysate tank is filled with water, the ultrafilter is
primed by pumping water from the dialysate tank through the
ultrafilter and out line 731, and water is pumped through the
ultrafilter, controlling flow rate, monitoring the delivery
pressure required to maintain flow.
[0417] Another set of embodiments are directed to disinfection and
rinsing of the system. This process removes any material which may
have accumulated during therapy, and kills any active pathogens.
Typically, heat is used, although in some cases, a disinfectant may
be added. Water is maintained using the dialysate tank and
replenished as necessary as water is discharged.
[0418] A recirculating flow path is shown in FIG. 23. The flow
along this path is essentially continuous, and uses conduits 67 to
connect the blood flow circuit with the directing circuit. The main
flow path is heated using heater 72, which is used to increase the
water temperature within the recirculating flow path, e.g., to a
temperature that can kill any active pathogens that may be present.
Most of the water is recirculated, although some is diverted to
drain. Note that lines 48 and 731 are kept open in this example to
ensure that these lines are properly disinfected. In addition, the
flow paths through ultrafilter 73 can be periodically selected to
purge air from the ultrafilter, and/or to provide recirculating
flow through this path. Temperature sensors (e.g., sensors 251 and
252) can be used to ensure that proper temperatures are met.
Non-limiting examples of such sensors can be seen in a U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/038,474, filed Feb. 27, 2008, published as
US PGPub No. 2008/0253427 on Oct. 16, 2008, entitled "Sensor
Apparatus Systems, Devices and Methods," incorporated herein by
reference.
[0419] In one set of embodiments, the system is primed with
dialysate as follows. In this operation, pod pump 280 is filled
with water (FIG. 24A), and then water is pushed backwards through
pump 183 to expel air from the top of bicarbonate source 28. The
air is collected in pod pump 282. See FIG. 24B. Next, the air in
pod pump 282 is expelled through pod pump 280 and line 186 to
dialysate tank 169. Vent 226 in dialysate tank 169 is opened so
that the air can leave the system (FIG. 24C). In addition, acid may
be pumped in from acid source 29. Bicarbonate concentrate from
bicarbonate source 28 and water are then mixed. Pump 183 is used to
provide water pressure sufficient to fill bicarbonate source 28
with water, as is shown in FIG. 24D.
[0420] The acid and bicarbonate solutions (and sodium chloride
solution, if a separate sodium chloride source is present) are then
metered with incoming water to prepare the dialysate. Sensors 178
and 179 are used to ensure that the partial mixtures of each
ingredient with water is correct. Dialysate that does not meet
specification is emptied to the drain, while good dialysate is
pumped into dialysate tank 14.
[0421] In another set of embodiments, the anticoagulant pump is
primed. Priming the pump removes air from the heparin pump and the
flow path, and ensures that the pressure in the anticoagulant vial
is acceptable. The anticoagulant pump can be designed such that air
in the pump chamber flows up into the vial. The test is performed
by closing all of the anticoagulant pump fluid valves, measuring
the external volume, charging the FMS chamber with vacuum, opening
valves to draw from the vial into the pumping chamber, measuring
the external volume (again), charging the FMS chamber with
pressure, opening the valves to push fluid back into the vial, and
then measuring the external volume (again). Changes in external
volume that result from fluid flow should correspond to the known
volume of the pumping chamber. If the pumping chamber cannot fill
from the vial, then the pressure in the vial is too low and air
must be pumped in. Conversely, if the pumping chamber cannot empty
into the vial, then the pressure in the vial is too high and some
of the anticoagulant must be pumped out of the vial. Anticoagulant
pumped out of the vial during these tests can be discarded, e.g.,
through the drain.
[0422] In yet another set of embodiments, the system is rinsed with
dialysate while the patient is not connected. This can be performed
before or after treatment. Prior to treatment, dialysate may be
moved and a portion sent to the drain to avoid accumulating
sterilant in the dialysate. After treatment, this operation rinses
the blood path with dialysate to push any residual blood to the
drain. The flow paths used in this operation are similar to the
flow paths used with water, as discussed above.
[0423] Acid concentrate may be pumped out of the mixing chamber.
Pump 184 is activated so that pod pump 280 can draw out acid from
pump 184 and acid source 29, to be mixed in line 186 and sent to
the drain. Similarly, bicarbonate may be pumped out of the mixing
chamber as is shown in FIG. 25. Pump 183 is used to draw water from
bicarbonate source 28, then pod pump 280 is used to pass the water
into line 186 to the drain.
[0424] In still another set of embodiments, dialysate prime is
removed from the blood flow circuit, to avoid giving the patient
the priming fluid. FIGS. 26A and 26B show fluid leaving each of the
balancing pump chambers and being expelled to the drain. Next, the
dialysate side of dialyzer 14 is closed, while blood is drawn into
the blood flow path from the patient (FIG. 26C). The patient
connections are then occluded while the blood flow pump chambers 23
push the priming fluid across the dialyzer to the balancing circuit
(FIGS. 26D and 26E). This fluid is then pushed to drain, as
previously discussed. This operation can be repeated as necessary
until sufficient priming fluid has been removed. Afterwards, the
balancing pumps are then refilled with fresh dialysate, keeping the
patient connections occluded, as is shown in FIG. 26F.
[0425] In yet another set of embodiments, a bolus of anticoagulant
may be delivered to the patient. Initially, a bolus of
anticoagulant is pumped from the vial (or other anticoagulant
supply) to one chamber of pump 13, as is shown in FIG. 27A. The
anticoagulant pump alternates between pumping air into the vial and
pumping anticoagulant out of the vial, thereby keeping the pressure
relatively constant. The remaining volume is then filled with
dialysate (FIG. 27B). The combined fluids are then delivered to the
patient down arterial line 203, as shown in FIG. 27B. In some
cases, the same pump chamber may be refilled with dialysate again
(see FIG. 27B), and that volume delivered to the patient also, to
ensure that all of the anticoagulant has been properly
delivered.
[0426] In still another set of embodiments, the system may perform
push-pull hemodiafiltration. In such cases, blood flow pump 13 and
balancing pumps 15 can be synchronized to pass fluid back and forth
across the dialyzer. In hemodiafiltration, hydrostatic pressure is
used to drive water and solute across the membrane of the dialyzer
from the blood flow circuit to the balancing circuit, where it is
drained. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed
that larger solutes are more readily transported to the used
dialysate due to the convective forces in hemodiafiltration.
[0427] In one set of embodiments, solution infusion may be used to
delivery fluid to the patient. As is shown in FIG. 28, pump 159 in
the directing circuit is used to push fluid across dialyzer 14 into
the blood flow circuit, which thus causes delivery of fluid (e.g.,
dialysate) to the patient.
[0428] According to another set of embodiments, after repeated use,
the dialyzer can lose its efficiency or even the ability to
function at all as a result of compounds adhering to and building
up on the membrane walls in the dialyzer. Any standard measure of
dialyzer clearance determination may be used. However, one method
of measuring how much build-up has accumulated in the dialyzer,
i.e., how much the dialyzer's clearance has deteriorated, a gas is
urged into the blood side of the dialyzer, while a liquid is held
on the dialysate side of the dialyzer. By measuring the volume of
gas in the dialyzer, the clearance of the dialyzer may be
calculated based on the volume of gas measured in the dialyzer.
[0429] Alternatively, in other embodiments, because of the
pneumatic aspects of the present system, clearance may be
determined as follows. By applying a pressure differential along
the dialyzer and measuring the flow rate of the dialyzer, the
clearance of the dialyzer may then be correlated/determined or
calculated, based on the pressure differential and the flow rate.
For example, based on a known set of correlations or pre-programmed
standards including a correlation table or mathematical
relationship. For example, although a look-up table may be used, or
a determined mathematical relationship may also be used.
[0430] The dialyzer's clearance can also be measured using a
conductivity probe in the blood tube plug-back recirculation path.
After treatment the patient connects the blood tubes back into the
disinfection ports. The fluid in the blood tubes and dialyzer may
be recirculated through these disinfection port connections, and
the conductivity of this solution may be measured as it passes
through the conductivity measurement cell in this recirculation
path.
[0431] To measure the dialyzer clearance, pure water may be
circulated through the dialysate path and the conductivity of the
fluid flowing through the blood recirculation path is continuously
monitored. The pure water takes ions from the solution in the blood
flow circuit recirculation path at a rate which is proportional to
the clearance of the dialyzer. The clearance of the dialyzer may be
determined by measuring the rate at which the conductivity of the
solution in the blood flow circuit recirculation path changes.
[0432] The dialyzer's clearance can be measured by circulating pure
water on one side and dialysate on the other, and measuring the
amount of fluid passing through the dialyzer using
conductivity.
[0433] In one set of embodiments, in case of a power failure, it
may be desirable to return as much blood to the patient as
possible. Since one embodiment of the hemodialysis system uses
compressed gas to actuate various pumps and valves used in the
system, a further embodiment takes advantage of this compressed gas
to use it in case of power failure to return blood in the system to
the patient. In accordance with this procedure and referring to
FIG. 29A, dialysate is pushed across the dialyzer 14, rinsing blood
residing blood flow circuit 10 back to the patient. Compressed air
is used to push dialysate across the dialyzer 14. A valve 77
releases the compressed air to initiate this function. This method
may be used in situations where electrical power loss or some other
failure prevents the dialysis machine from rinsing back the
patient's blood using the method normally employed at the end of
treatment.
[0434] As compressed air is used to increase the pressure on the
dialysate side of the dialyzer 14 and force dialysate through the
dialyzer to the blood side, thereby pushing the patient's blood
back to the patient, the patient, or an assistant, monitors the
process and clamps the tubes between the blood flow circuit and the
patient once adequate rinse back has been achieved.
[0435] In one embodiment, a reservoir 70 is incorporated into the
hemodialysis system and is filled with compressed air prior to
initiating treatment. This reservoir 70 is connected to the
dialysate circuit 20 through a manually actuated valve 77. When the
treatment is finished or aborted, this valve 77 is opened by the
patient or an assistant to initiate the rinse-back process. The
membrane of the dialyzer 14 allows dialysate to pass through, but
not air. The compressed air displaces dialysate until the patient
tubes are clamped, or the dialysate side of the dialyzer is filled
with air.
[0436] In another embodiment, a reservoir containing compressed air
is provided as an accessory to the dialysis machine. If the
treatment is terminated early due to a power failure or system
failure of the dialysis machine, this reservoir may be attached to
the dialysate circuit on the machine to initiate the rinse-back
process. As in the previous embodiment, the rinse-back process is
terminated when the patient tubes are clamped, or the dialysate
side of the dialyzer is filled with air.
[0437] In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 29B, an air
reservoir 70 is incorporated into the system and attached to a
fluid reservoir 75 with a flexible diaphragm 76 separating the air
from the dialysate fluid. In this case, the compressed air pushes
the diaphragm 76 to increase the pressure in the dialysate circuit
20 rather than having the compressed air enter the dialysate
circuit. The volume of the dialysate that is available to be
displaced is determined by the volume of the fluid chamber 75. The
rinse-back process is terminated when the patient tubes are
clamped, or when all of the fluid is expelled and the diaphragm 76
bottoms out against the wall of the fluid chamber 75.
[0438] In any of these embodiments, the operation of the systems or
methods may be tested periodically between treatments by running a
program on the dialysate machine. During the test the user
interface prompts the user to actuate the rinse-back process, and
the machine monitors the pressure in the dialysate circuit to
ensure successful operation.
[0439] In the systems depicted in FIGS. 29A and 29B, blood is drawn
from the patient by the blood flow pump 13, pushed through the
dialyzer 14 and returned to the patient. These components and the
tubing that connects them together make up the blood flow circuit
10. The blood contained in the blood flow circuit 10 should be
returned to the patient when the treatment is finished or
aborted.
[0440] The dialysate solution is drawn from the dialysate tank 169
by the dialysate pump 159, and passed through the heater 72 to warm
the solution to body temperature. The dialysate then flows through
the ultrafilter 73 which removes any pathogens and pyrogens which
may be in the dialysate solution. The dialysate solution then flows
through the dialyzer to perform the therapy and back to the
dialysate tank.
[0441] The bypass valves 74 may be used to isolate the dialyzer 14
from the rest of the dialysate circuit 20. To isolate the dialyzer
14, the two valves connecting the dialysate circuit 20 to the
dialyzer are closed, and the one shunting dialysate around the
dialyzer is opened.
[0442] This rinse-back procedure may be used whether or not the
dialyzer 14 is isolated and is used when the treatment is ended or
aborted. The dialysate machine is turned off or deactivated so the
pumps are not running. When the patient is ready for rinse-back,
air valve 77 is opened by the patient or an assistant. The air in
the compressed air reservoir 70 flows toward the dialysate circuit
20, increasing the pressure on the dialysate side of the dialyzer
14. This increase in pressure may be achieved by allowing the air
to enter the dialysate circuit directly, as shown in FIG. 29A or
indirectly by pushing on the diaphragm 76 shown in FIG. 29B.
[0443] The air pressure on the dialysate side of the dialyzer
forces some dialysate solution through the dialyzer 14 into the
blood flow circuit. This dialysate solution displaces the blood,
rinsing the blood back to the patient. The patient or an assistant
can observe the rinse process by looking at the dialyzer 14 and the
blood tubes. The dialysate solution starts in the dialyzer,
displacing the blood and making it appear much clearer. This
clearer solution progresses from the dialyzer toward the patient.
When it reaches the patient the blood tube clamps 71 are used to
pinch the tubing to terminate the rinse-back process. If one line
rinses back sooner than the other the quicker line may be clamped
first and the slower line may be clamped later.
[0444] Once the rinse-back is completed and the blood lines are
clamped the patient may be disconnected from the dialysis
machine.
[0445] The implementation of one embodiment of the system and
method is shown in FIG. 29A takes advantage of the hydrophilic
nature of the material used to make the tiny tubes in the dialyzer
14. When this material is wet, the dialysate solution can pass
through but air cannot. Where the embodiment shown in FIG. 29A is
implemented, air may enter the dialyzer 14 but it will not pass
across to the blood flow circuit 10.
[0446] In either implementation, the volume of dialysate that may
be passed through the dialyzer 14 is limited. This limitation is
imposed by the size of the compressed air reservoir 70, the volume
of dialysate solution contained in the dialyzer 14 and in the case
of the implementation shown in FIG. 7B the size of fluid reservoir
75. It is advantageous to limit the volume of dialysate that may be
pushed across the dialyzer because giving too much extra fluid to
the patient counteracts the therapeutic benefit of removing fluid
during the therapy.
[0447] Another aspect of the invention is generally directed to a
user interface for the system. The user interface may be operated
by an individual, such as the patient, a family member, assistant,
professional care provider, or service technician, to input
options, such as treatment options, and to receive information,
such as information about the treatment protocol, treatment status,
machine status/condition, and/or the patient condition. The user
interface may be mounted on the treatment device and controlled by
one or more processors in the treatment device. In another
embodiment, the user interface may be a remote device that may
receive, transmit, or transmit and receive data or commands related
to the treatment protocol, treatment status, and/or patient
condition, etc. The remote device may be connected to the treatment
device by any suitable technique, including optical and/or
electronic wires, wireless communication utilizing Bluetooth, RF
frequencies, optical frequencies, IR frequencies, ultrasonic
frequencies, magnetic effects, or the like, to transmit and/or
receive data and/or commands from or to the treatment device. In
some cases, an indication device may be used, which can indicate
when data and/or a command has been received by the treatment
device or the remote device. The remote device may include input
devices such as a keyboard, touch screen, capacitive input device,
or the like to input data and/or commands to the treatment
device.
[0448] In some embodiments, one or more processors of the treatment
device may have a unique identification code, and the remote device
may include the capability to read and learn the unique
identification code of the treatment. Alternatively, the user can
program in the unique identification code. The treatment device and
the remote device may use a unique identification code to
substantially avoid interference with other receivers, including
other treatment device.
[0449] In one set of embodiments, the treatment device may have one
or more processors that are connected to a web-enabled server and
the user interface device may be run on this web-enabled server. In
one embodiment, the device uses an external CPU (e.g., a GUI,
graphical user interface) to communicate via Internet protocol to
the embedded web server in or connected to the treatment device.
The web page may be served up inside the device and the GUI may
communication directly via 802.11b or other such wired or wireless
Ethernet equivalent. The GUI may be operated by an individual, such
as the patient, a family member, assistant, professional care
provider, or service technician, to input options, such as
treatment options, and to receive information, such as information
about the treatment protocol, treatment status, machine
status/condition, and/or the patient condition.
[0450] In another embodiment, the embedded web server in or
connected to the treatment device may communicate to an appropriate
site on the Internet. The Internet site may require a password or
other user identification to access the site. In another
embodiment, the user may have access to different information
depending on the type of user and the access provider. For example,
a patient or professional caregiver may have full access to patient
treatment options and patient information, while a family member
may be given access to certain patient information, such as the
status and duration remaining for a given treatment or frequency of
treatments. The service technician, dialysis center, or treatment
device provider may access other information for troubleshooting,
preventive maintenance, clinical trials, and the like. Use of the
web-enabled server may allow more than one individual to access
patient information at the same time for a variety of purposes.
[0451] The use of a remote device, e.g., via wired or wireless
communication, Internet protocol, or through an Internet site
utilizing a web enabled server, could allow a dialysis center to
more effectively monitor each patient and/or more efficiently
monitor a larger number of patients simultaneously. In some
embodiments, the remote device can serve as a nocturnal monitor or
nocturnal remote alert to monitor the patient during nocturnal
dialysis treatment and to provide an alarm if the patient's
condition does not meet certain parameters. In some cases, the
remote device may be used to provide alarms to the patient, a
family member, assistant, professional care provider, or service
technician. These alarms could alert an individual to certain
conditions such as, but not limited to, a fluid leak, an occlusion,
temperature outside normal parameters, and the like. These alarms
may be audible alarms, visual alarms, and/or vibratory alarms.
[0452] An exemplary embodiment of a user interface/treatment device
combination is shown in FIG. 60. In particular, FIG. 60 shows a
perspective view of an exemplary hemodialysis system 6000
comprising a dialysis unit 6001 and a user interface unit 6002. In
this embodiment, the dialysis unit 6001 comprises a housing 6004
that contains suitable components for performing hemodialysis. For
example, the dialysis unit 6001 may include the mixing circuit 25,
blood flow circuit 10, balancing circuit 143 and external dialysate
circuit 142 described, for example, in connection with FIG. 2A. The
dialysis unit 6001 may also include all patient access connections
and dialysate fluidic connections needed for operation of the
system 6000.
[0453] The user interface unit 6002 comprises a user interface 6003
that a user, such as a hemodialysis patient, may use to control
operation of the dialysis unit 6001 via a connection 6006. The
connection 6006 may comprise any suitable data connection such as a
bus, a wireless connection, a connection over a local area network
(e.g., an Ethernet local area network), and/or a connection over a
wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The user interface unit
6002 further comprises a housing 6005 that contains components for
enabling operation of the user interface. In the example of FIG.
60, the user interface 6003 comprises a display screen with a touch
sensitive overlay to allow touch control and interaction with a
graphical user interface presented on the screen. However, many
other types of user interfaces are possible, such as a screen with
a separate input mechanism, such as a keyboard and/or pointing
device. The user interface 6002 may also include other features,
such as push buttons, a speaker, a microphone for receiving voice
commands, and so on.
[0454] While the hemodialysis system 6000 of FIG. 60 comprises a
user interface unit 6002 remote from and physically coupled to a
dialysis unit 6001, many alternative arrangements are possible. For
example, the user interface unit 6002 may be mounted to or within
dialysis unit 6001. For convenience, a user interface unit 6002 so
mounted may be moveable from its mount for use in different
locations and positions.
[0455] FIG. 61 shows an exemplary hardware configuration for each
of the dialysis unit 6001 and the user interface unit 6002. The
dialysis unit 6001 comprises an automation computer (AC) 6106 that
controls hardware actuators and sensors 6107 that deliver and
monitor hemodialysis-related therapy. The automation computer 6106
comprises a control unit 6108 that includes a processing unit 6109
and computer readable media 6110. The processing unit 6109
comprises one or more processors that may execute instructions and
operate on data stored on the computer readable media 6110. The
data may, for example, relate to hemodialysis processes that have
been or may be performed on a patient. The instructions may
comprise, for example, an operating system (e.g., Linux),
application programs, program modules, and/or other encoded
instructions that perform particular processes.
[0456] The computer readable media 6110 may comprise any available
media that can be accessed by the processing unit 6109. For
example, computer readable media 6110 may comprise computer storage
media and/or communication media. Computer storage media may
include any one or more of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and
removable and/or non-removable media implemented in any method or
technology for storage of information, such as computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.
Examples of such computer storage media includes, but is not
limited to, RAM, ROM, solid state disks, EEPROM, flash memory or
other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or
other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium which can be used to store the desired information and
which can be accessed by the processing unit 6109. Communication
media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data
structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data
signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and
includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data
signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics
set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the
signal. By way of example, communication media may include wired
media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and/or
wireless media, such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless
media.
[0457] The various components of the automation computer 6106,
including the computer readable media 6110 and the processing unit
6109, may be electrically coupled via a system bus. The system bus
may comprise any of several types of bus structures including a
memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example,
such architectures may include Industry Standard Architecture
(ISA), Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), Enhanced ISA (EISA), Video
Electronics Standards Associate (VESA), and Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI).
[0458] The automation computer 6106 may further include a universal
serial bus (USB) interface 6113 so that various input and/or output
devices may be coupled to the control unit 6108. Examples of such
input and/or output devices include a monitor, speakers, a printer,
a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse), a scanner, personal
digital assistants, a microphone and other peripheral devices. USB
is merely one exemplary type of interface that may be used to
connect peripheral devices. Other interfaces may alternatively be
used.
[0459] As discussed above, dialysis unit 6001 includes components
for performing and monitoring hemodialysis processes. Such
components include sensors and actuators 6107. To couple the
control unit 6108 to the sensors and actuators 6107, the automation
computer may include a hardware interface 6111. The hardware
interface 6111 may provide inputs to and receive outputs from the
sensors and actuators 6107.
[0460] Automation computer 6106 may further comprise a network
interface 6112 to allow the computer to connect with networked
devices, such as those within a local area network (LAN) and/or a
wide area network (WAN). For example, the network interface 6112
may allow the dialysis unit 6001 to exchange data with the user
interface unit 6002 over a network 6114, which may comprise a LAN,
such an Ethernet LAN, and/or a WAN, such as the Internet, and may
be wired or wireless. Of course, the dialysis unit 6001 may
alternatively or additionally exchange data with the user interface
unit 6002 over a bus or other data connection.
[0461] The user interface unit 6002 comprises a user interface
computer 6119 that controls a user interface, such as graphical
user interface 6115 that displays information to and receives
inputs from the user. Like the automation computer 6106, the user
interface computer 6119 comprises a control unit 6116 having a
processing unit 6117 and computer readable media 6118, a USB
interface 6121 and a network interface 6120, each of which may be
the same as or similar to their counterparts in the automation
computer 6119. In addition, the user interface computer 6119 may
include a graphics interface 6122 to couple the control unit 6116
to the graphical user interface 6115.
[0462] FIG. 62 schematically shows various exemplary software
processes that may execute on the processing units 6109 and 6117 of
automation computer 6106 and user interface computer 6119,
respectively. The processes shown may be lauched and monitored by
an executive process. For example, the AC processing unit 6109 and
UIC processing unit 6117 may respectively include AC Executive 6201
and the UIC Executive 6207 to launch the processes within the given
processing unit and provide a communications mechanism to determine
the running status of the child processes. In particular, the AC
Executive 6201 and the UIC Executive 6207 may detect hung
processes. When a child process terminates or fails, each executive
process may take appropriate action to ensure that the system
continues to operate in a safe manner. This may involve terminating
processes, leading to system shutdown, or restarting processes that
are not safety-critical. The AC Executive 6201 and the UIC
Executive 6207 may use a Linux parent-child process relationship to
receive notifications from the operating system about the
termination of child processes. This allows handling of anomalous
process terminations as well as expected terminations during a
power-off sequence. The automation computer 6106 and the UIC
Executives 6201 and 6207 may have a message interface between them
to share information about their running processes. The status
information may be shared on a periodic basis to allow a coherent
view of state of all system processes on both processor units 6109
and 6117.
[0463] As shown in the example of FIG. 62, the AC processing unit
6109 includes an I/O Server Process 6205. The I/O Server Process
6205 directly accesses hardware, such as sensors and actuators, of
the dialysis unit, and provides an interface to allow other
processes to request read and write operations. For example, the
I/O Server Process 6205 may provide an interface for the Machine
Controller 6202 to read from and write to the sensors and
actuators, thereby isolating the Machine Controller from the
details of the hardware. In the embodiment described, only the
Machine Controller 6202 may communicate with the I/O Server Process
6205. The interface may be a synchronous message queue.
[0464] The Machine Controller 6202, mentioned above, serves as an
interface for controlling machine operations and reporting machine
operational status. In particular, the Machine Controller 6202
implements controllers that read sensors and set actuators via the
I/O Server Process 6205. These controllers are designed to allow
functions (e.g., pumping and heating) to be programmed with a
variety of parameters (e.g., flow rates, phases, pressures, and
temperatures) in order to support the various hemodialysis
therapies that may be performed. The configuration of the
controllers may be established by state machines that implement
high-level machine functions, such as priming and disinfection. The
state machines configure flow paths and controller set points based
on the capabilities of the machine and the high level commands
received from the Therapy Applications 6203, described below. The
Machine Controller 6202 may also perform safety cross checks on
various sensors to maintain a safe, effective therapy. Machine
status and health information may be recorded by the Machine
Controller 6202 to a database.
[0465] The Therapy Applications 6203 drive the patient's therapy by
commanding the Machine Controller 6202 to perform individual
operations relating to hemodialysis processes. In particular, the
Therapy Applications 6203 may run state machines that implement
therapies and control the modes of the system. The state machines
may, for example, control priming the system with dialysate,
connecting the patient to the machine, dialyzing the patient,
rinsing the patient's blood back to their body, cleaning the
machine, disinfecting the machine, running tests on the machine
components, replacing old or worn out components, and waiting for
the patient to return for their next treatment. The Therapy
Applications 6203 issue commands to and request status information
from the Machine Controller 6202 in order to implement the therapy
operations. In order to obtain patient, therapy and machine
information the Therapy Applications 6203 may interface with a
database to access information and store treatment status
information. The Therapy Applications 6203 may be used as an
interface by the User Interface Model 6206 process, discussed
below, to forward user selections and report therapy status back to
the user interface.
[0466] Like the Therapy Applications 6203, the User Interface (UI)
Model 6206 runs on the AC processing unit 6109. The UI Model 6206
aggregates information describing the current state of the system
and patient, and supports changes to the state of the system via
operator input. The UI Model 6206 separates the content of the user
interface display from non-content related aspects (e.g.,
presentation) by allowing the content of the user interface to
change without affecting the underlying software that controls the
user interface display. Thus, changes to the UI Model 6206 may be
made without affecting the visual experience provided by the user
interface. The UI Model 6206 does not have a display directly
associated with it; rather, it commands the GUI 6115 of the user
interface unit 6002 (FIG. 61) to display screens and return
information. For example, when a user navigates to a new screen,
the UI Model 6206 may send information to the user interface unit
6002 to be used in generating the new screen. The UI Model 6206 may
also validate user data received from the user interface unit 6002
and, once validated, and forward the user data or commands based
thereon to the Therapy Applications 6203.
[0467] To create the interactive displays for the GUI 6115 of the
user interface unit 6002 (FIG. 61), the UI View Process 6208 runs
on the UI processor 6117 of the user interface computer. The UI
View Process 6208 need not keep track of screen flow or therapy
state. Instead the UI View Process 6208 may receive from the UI
Model 6206 running on the AC processing unit 6109 information
specifying what and how to display the current state of a treatment
to the user, as well as what may be input. As a result, the GUI
6115 may terminate and restart without impacting the system's
operation. In addition, the GUI 6115 need not be responsible for
validating user inputs. All inputs and commands received by the UI
View 6208 may be sent to and validated by the UI Model 6206. Thus,
all safety-critical aspects of the user interface may be handled by
the UI Model 6206. Certain processes, such as those not
safety-related, do not require the participation of the UI Model
6206. For example, allowing access to information stored in a
database on the user interface computer may not require any
functions to be performed by the UI Model 6206.
[0468] Also running on the UI processor 6117, a Remote Access
Application 6210 provides an interface for external equipment. For
example, the Remote Access Application 6210 may provide an
interface for therapy monitoring, remote service, online
assistance, and other external services, when authorized by a user.
The Remote Access Application 6210 may be responsible for
initiating a remote connection, validating the access, and
supporting the communication from the remote site to the UI Model
6206.
[0469] A Database Access Application 6209 stores data to and
retrieves data from one or more databases which may, for example,
be located on the user interface computer 6119 (FIG. 61). The
Database Access Application 6209 allows for record storage and
retrieval, and provides a common access point for information
required by the system, such as prescription, schedule, and history
information. The Database Access Application 6209 may also manage
database files to ensure they are backed up periodically.
[0470] As discussed in connection with FIG. 62, the functionality
of the user interface software may be divided between the AC
processing unit 6109 and the UIC processing unit 6117. The UI Model
6206 and UI Controller 6204 may cooperate to isolate the control of
the UI data and state information on the automation computer 6106
so that software and screen design changes to the UI View 6208 will
only affect the non-safety-critical software on the user interface
computer 6119. Thus, while the UI Model 6206 may be tested and run
at a safety-critical level, the UI View 6208 may run as a
non-safety-critical process.
[0471] In general, therapy and machine state information displayed
on the user interface computer 6119 originates only from the UI
Model 6206. According to one exemplary embodiment, all data
displayed on the user interface computer 6119 originates from the
UI Model 6206, is taken directly from a database layer, or is
temporary editing data entered by a user. The only local state
information displayed or stored in the UI View 6208 may be this
temporary editing data and details that allow for the local
rendering of the information. In this manner, the UI Model 6208 may
maintain and control the display of all validated data. Non-safety
related data may be handled solely by the UI View 6208, if desired.
For example, changes in the display language, or other display
changes that do not impact safety-related content, may be performed
using the UI View 6208 without any effect on the UI Model 6206.
[0472] It should be appreciated that the software processes shown
in FIG. 62 and their association with processing units 6109 and
6117 represents just one example of a software configuration for
performing the functions described above. The processes may be
distributed in various alternative manners among processing units
6109 and 6117 and/or other local or remote processors. Further, not
all processes may be required in the hemodialysis system. Certain
processes may be omitted or modified while maintaining the
functionality of a hemodialysis system.
[0473] FIG. 63 shows an example of how information relating to the
user interface may flow between and among the hardware and software
components of the user interface computer 6119 and automation
computer 6106. Information may flow and be handled so that
safety-critical information is processed only at or below the UI
Model layer. Safety-critical information relates to operations of
the hemodialysis system. For example, safety-critical information
may comprise a state of a dialysis process, a screen state of the
graphical user interface, and/or the algorithms for implementing or
monitoring therapies. In some cases, safety-critical information
may be displayed by the graphical user interface. In such cases,
the safety-critical information may comprise content that is
material to the operations of the hemodialysis system. Non
safety-critical information displayed by the user interface may
comprise aspects of the display that relate to visual presentation
and are not material to the operations of the hemodialysis
system.
[0474] As shown in FIG. 63, the UI Model 6206, UI Controller 6204
and Therapy Applications 620, discussed in the connection with FIG.
62, run on the automation computer 6106. The UI View 6208 runs on
the user interface computer 6119, along with Auxiliary Applications
6301. A database 6302, or an interface thereto (e.g., a database
server) may also reside on the user interface computer 6119.
[0475] Considering first the flow of information between the UI
View 6208 and UI Model 6206, the UI View operates as a client of
the UI Model, as explained below. The UI View 6208 requests the
current screen state from the UI Model 6206, and the UI Model
answers the request. The answer dictates the major screen state of
the UI View 6208. The UI Model 6206 may publish data and state
information in sufficient detail so that the UI View 6208 can
present various subsets of display information according to a level
of detail requested by a user. For example, the UI View 6208 could
present the same therapy state as either a summary or a
step-by-step guide using the same information from the UI Model
6206. The presentation of the information may be based, for
example, on a mode selected by a user (e.g., "expert" or "novice").
The UI Model 6206 may provide the ability for the UI View 6208 to
record sub-state information, such as a current presentation mode,
in the UI Model. This allows the GUI to resume operation in its
prior state in the event of a user interface computer 6119
reset.
[0476] The UI Model 6206 may accept user-input data and requests,
such as a request to start a therapy, from the UI View 6208. Data
integrity of any information submitted via the UI View 6208 may be
enhanced or ensured in several ways, such as by sending data
submitted via the UI View 6208 through the UI Model 6206 for
verification. That is, while data may be edited locally in the UI
View 6208, the accepted data may be transferred to the UI Model
6206 to be verified and recorded into database 6302 and/or sent to
the Therapy Applications 6203. Verification may comprise, for
example, verifying that entered data is within an expected range.
Any entered information may be then read back from the database
6302 by the UI Model 6206, and sent to the UI View 6208 for display
to the user. This process may be used to ensure that data stored in
the database 6302 is correct or as a user intended. Data integrity
may also be enhanced by requesting verification, by the user or
another party, of entered data.
[0477] As shown in FIG. 63, direct authority to control the Therapy
Applications 6203 in response to inputs received from the user
interface, and thereby affect machine state, may be limited to the
UI Model/UI Controller 6303 running on the automation computer
6106. In addition, direct authority to change information in the
database 6302 may be limited to the UI Model/UI Controller 6303. In
this case, the UI View 6208 and Auxiliary Applications 6301 may
have read access to the database for actions such a viewing a log,
but may not have write access to the database 6302, at least under
most circumstances. In this way, actions that could have
safety-critical implications may be isolated on the automation
computer 6106. Of course, in some situations, it may be desirable
to allow the UI View 6208 and Auxiliary Applications 6301 to have
limited write access to the database 6302, such as to write to a
particular portion of the database or to write non safety-related
data to the database. In addition, in some embodiments, it may be
desirable to allow the UI View 6208 to directly control aspects of
the Therapy Applications 6203.
[0478] The Auxiliary Applications 6301, discussed above, may
comprise log or documentation viewers, for example. These
Applications 6301 may run on the user interface computer 6119 and
operate in their own process space. However, to enable the UI View
6208 to control these applications, the Auxiliary Applications 6301
may be clients of the UI View 6208. This allows the UI View 6208 to
communicate with the applications in a standard manner and allows
the UI View to monitor these processes.
[0479] The UI Controller 6204 may comprise a table-based
hierarchical state machine (HSM) that determines the state of the
screens displayed by the UI View 6208 based on data polled from the
Therapy Applications 6203, local timeouts, and command requests or
data received from the UI View 6208. As represented in FIG. 63, the
UI Controller 6204 may access and write data to the database 6302
as required. The state of the HSM in the UI Controller 6204 may
determine the major state of the set of screens displayed by the UI
View 6208.
[0480] An exemplary HSM that may be used by the UI Controller 6204
to determine the state of the screens displayed by the UI View 6208
is schematically shown in FIG. 64. As shown, the HSM 6400
determines the state of "normal" (i.e., non-alarm) level
interactions 6401, including the current functional state 6402 of
the user interface and the current menu state 6403. The HSM 6400
shown in FIG. 64 is merely exemplary, and may be implemented in a
much more detailed manner. For example, the state designated
"Prepare" 6404 may involve several states relating to preparation
for treatment, including a "gather supplies" state, an "install
chemicals" state, the entering of patient information, and a
validation screen. The validation screen gives the user the
opportunity to return to any of the prior data entry screens so
that inaccurate information can be corrected before the "Prepare"
state is exited. The HSM 6400 also shows an alarm state 6405 that
may be triggered. The alarm state is described in connection with
FIG. 65.
[0481] The UI View 6208 may have the ability to take over the
screen display at any time in order to display alarms. An alarm
condition may be triggered in certain circumstances to notify a
user or other individual of an abnormal or otherwise noteworthy
condition, such as a fluid leak, an occlusion, or an out-of-range
temperature. When an alarm condition occurs, the state of the UI
Controller 6204 may change. As shown in FIG. 65, when the UI View
6208 polls the UI Model 6206 for the current state, the UI View
will change the display view from a normal state 6501 to an alarm
state 6502 displaying alarm information 6503. When in an alarm
condition, the UI View 6208 may prevent other information from
blocking the display of the alarm. However, even during an alarm
condition, the display may be configured such that a user may
activate a "help" button to access additional information. In this
case, help information 6504 may be laid out so that the help
information covers only a portion of the view. Safety-critical
logic of the alarm display, such as silencing logic, may be
controlled in the automation computer 6106. For example, if a user
would like an alarm to be silenced, an indication of the silencing
request may be relayed back to the UI Model/UI Controller 6303,
which can allow the audible alert to be silenced temporarily. In
each of the alarm state and the normal state, alternate views 6505
and 6506, respectively, may be possible.
[0482] As explained above, when an alarm occurs, the normal UI View
state is terminated so that the alarm state information can be
displayed. Any local screen selection and/or editing data may be
lost when the screen is changed. Since it may be desirable to
preserve this information, the UI View 6208 may request that the UI
Model/UI Controller 6303 stores information related to the screen
displayed just prior to the alarm condition (i.e., the screen
related to the normal state). At the conclusion of the alarm, if
the normal state has not changed, the UI View 6208 may retrieve the
stored information and restore the screen display. As an additional
benefit, this feature may be used to restore the prior view in the
event that the user interface computer 6119 is inadvertently
reset.
[0483] The following are each incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/903,582, filed Feb. 27, 2007, entitled "Hemodialysis System and
Methods"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/904,024,
filed Feb. 27, 2007, entitled "Hemodialysis System and Methods";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/787,213, filed Apr. 13, 2007,
published as US PGPub No. 2008/0058697 on Mar. 6, 2008, entitled
"Heat Exchange Systems, Devices and Methods"; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/787,212, filed Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,594 on Oct. 23, 2012, entitled "Fluid Pumping
Systems, Devices and Methods"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/787,112, filed Apr. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,794,141 on Sep. 14, 2010, entitled "Thermal and Conductivity
Sensing Systems, Devices and Methods"; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/871,680, filed Oct. 12, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,273,049 on Sep. 25, 2012, entitled "Pumping Cassette"; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/871,712, filed Oct. 12, 2007 and
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,492 on Nov. 27, 2012, entitled
"Pumping Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,787,
filed Oct. 12, 2007, published as US PGPub No. 2008/0253911 on Oct.
16, 2008, entitled "Pumping Cassette"; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/871,793, filed Oct. 12, 2007, published as US PGPub No.
2008/0253912 on Oct. 16, 2008, entitled "Pumping Cassette"; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,803, filed Oct. 12, 2007
and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,022 on Jun. 28, 2011, entitled
"Cassette System Integrated Apparatus." In addition, the following
are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. No.
4,808,161, issued Feb. 28, 1989, entitled "Pressure-Measurement
Flow Control System"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,482, issued May 2, 1989,
entitled "Enhanced Pressure Measurement Flow Control System"; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,976,162, issued Dec. 11, 1990, entitled "Enhanced
Pressure Measurement Flow Control System"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,515,
issued Feb. 18, 1992, entitled "Valve System with Removable Fluid
Interface"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,357, issued Sep. 27, 1994,
entitled "Peritoneal Dialysis Systems Employing a Liquid
Distribution and Pumping Cassette that Emulates Gravity Flow." Also
incorporated herein by reference are U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/038,474, published as US PGPub No. 2008/0253427 on Oct. 16,
2008, entitled "Sensor Apparatus Systems, Devices and Methods,"
filed on Feb. 27, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/038,648, entitled "Cassette System Integrated Apparatus," filed
on Feb. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,563 on Oct. 25,
2011; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/072,908, filed Feb.
27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,246,826 on Aug. 21, 2012,
entitled "Hemodialysis Systems and Methods."
[0484] In addition, the following applications are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/198,947, filed Aug. 27, 2008, published as
US PGPub No. 2010/0057016 on Mar. 4, 2010, entitled "Occluder for a
Medical Infusion System"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/199,055, filed Aug. 27, 2008, published as US PGPub No.
2009/0114582 on May 7, 2009, entitled "Enclosure for a Portable
Hemodialysis System"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/199,062,
published as US PGPub No. 2010/0051529 on Mar. 4, 2010, filed Aug.
27, 2008, entitled "Dialyzer Cartridge Mounting Arrangement for a
Hemodialysis System"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/199,068,
filed Aug. 27, 2008, published as US PGPub No. 2009/0101549 on Apr.
23, 2009, entitled "Modular Assembly for a Portable Hemodialysis
System"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/199,077, filed Aug.
27, 2008, published as US PGPub No. 2009/0105629 on Apr. 23, 2009,
entitled "Blood Circuit Assembly for a Hemodialysis System"; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/199,166, filed Aug. 27, 2008,
published as US PGPub No. 2009/0107335 on Apr. 30, 2009, entitled
"Air Trap for a Medical Infusion Device"; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/199,176, filed Aug. 27, 2008, published as US PGPub No.
2010/0056975 on Mar. 4, 2010, entitled "Blood Line Connector for a
Medical Infusion Device"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/199,196, filed Aug. 27, 2008, published as US PGPub No.
2010/0051551 on Mar. 4, 2010, entitled "Reagent Supply for a
Hemodialysis System"; and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.
61/092,239 entitled "Control System and Methods for Hemodialysis
Device."
[0485] While several embodiments of the present invention have been
described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the
art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or
structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the
results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and
each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within
the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled
in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the teachings of the present invention
is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing
embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual
feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described
herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features,
systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are
not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the
present invention.
[0486] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms.
[0487] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."
[0488] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
[0489] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0490] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0491] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated
to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more
than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts
of the method are recited.
[0492] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,
Section 2111.03.
* * * * *