You’re using a public version of DrugPatentWatch with 5 free searches available | Register to unlock more free searches. CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

Claims for Patent: 9,744,285


✉ Email this page to a colleague

« Back to Dashboard


Summary for Patent: 9,744,285
Title:Fluid processing apparatus
Abstract: A machine is provided with a slot to releasably receive and retain a cartridge in which dialysis is effected. The machine is configured for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in haemodialysis and is operable to maintain, in a sterile condition, residual water contained therein after completion of a haemodialysis treatment.
Inventor(s): Heyes; Keith James (Worcestershire, GB), Bramley; Hugh Christopher (Oxon, GB), Bhimani; Alan Melvyn (Birmingham, GB)
Assignee: Quanta Dialysis Technologies Limited (Alcester, GB)
Application Number:13/965,835
Patent Claims:1. A mixing apparatus for mixing a dialysis solution for use in an extracorporeal dialysis process, the apparatus comprising: a water treatment circuit and a dialysis solution mixer cartridge, the cartridge being releasably received by the apparatus, the water treatment circuit comprising: a de-ionized water inlet, which is configured to receive de-ionized water from a de-ionized water supply; a steriliser downstream of the de-ionized water inlet configured to sterilise the de-ionized water from the de-ionized water inlet; and a sterile water outlet downstream of the steriliser configured to open and supply sterile deionized water to the dialysis solution mixer cartridge through action of receiving the cartridge by the apparatus; wherein: water remaining in the water treatment circuit after completion of an extracorporeal dialysis process and removal of the dialysis mixing cartridge is residual water, and the water treatment circuit is configured to recycle the residual water in a closed loop through the steriliser so as to maintain the residual water in a sterile condition without passing the residual water through a de-ionizer.

2. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizer comprises a heater for heating the water to an elevated temperature at which at least micro-organisms and bacteria within the water are destroyed.

3. The mixing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the water is heated to at least 85 degrees centigrade.

4. The mixing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said mixing apparatus is provided with a heat exchanger to cool the water, prior to its supply to the cartridge, to substantially human body temperature.

5. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a valve for preventing water from exiting the sterile water outlet when no cartridge is present.

6. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, adapted to receive and hold the cartridge.

7. The mixing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said platens comprise means for actuating features embodied in the cartridge.

8. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, adapted to receive and hold the cartridge, and wherein one of said platens comprises the sterile water outlet, the sterile water outlet comprising an outlet valve, when in a first position presenting a flush surface and preventing water from exiting the sterile outlet, and when in a second position forming an outlet in the face of said one platen allowing the sterile water to pass therethrough into the cartridge.

9. The mixing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the outlet valve is in its first position residual water within the mixing apparatus is prevented by said outlet valve from exiting the sterile water outlet, and is circulated around said closed loop within said apparatus, said closed loop passing the water through the sterilizer, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

10. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, adapted to receive and hold the cartridge, and wherein the sterile water outlet is located in one of the platens and, when a cartridge is not between said platens, the platens sealingly engage against one another such that the water exits said sterile water outlet and is circulated through the platens and through the sterilizer in said closed loop within said apparatus, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

11. An apparatus for performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, the apparatus comprising: a) the mixing apparatus according to claim 1; and b) the cartridge being connectable by tubing to the patient's blood circulatory system.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sterilizer comprises a heater for heating the water to an elevated temperature at which at least microorganisms and bacteria within the water are killed.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the apparatus is not performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood the residual water is circulated around said closed loop circuit at an elevated temperature, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the water is heated to at least 85 degrees centigrade.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, subsequent to heating the water to sterilize it, said apparatus is provided with a heat exchanger to cool the water to substantially human body temperature.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the water is cooled to substantially human body temperature within the mixing apparatus prior to said water exiting the mixing apparatus via the sterile outlet.

17. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the water exits the sterile outlet at an elevated temperature and is cooled to substantially human body temperature within the cartridge.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the cartridge is disconnected from the mixing apparatus, the residual water within the mixing apparatus is prevented by a valve from exiting the sterile water outlet, and is circulated around a closed loop within said mixing apparatus and said closed loop passing the water through the sterilizer, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mixing apparatus comprises two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the cartridge comprises pumps and valves for controlling one or more fluid within the cartridge and said platens comprise means of actuating said pumps and valves.

21. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mixing apparatus comprises two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use, and wherein the sterile water outlet comprises an outlet valve which, when said outlet valve is in a closed position presents a flush surface with one of said platens and prevents water from exiting the sterile outlet and a wherein when said outlet valve is in an open position, an outlet is formed in the face of said one platen allowing the sterile water to pass therethrough into the cartridge.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein when the outlet valve is in its first position residual water within the mixing apparatus is prevented by said outlet valve from exiting the sterile water outlet, and is circulated around a closed loop within said mixing apparatus, said closed loop passing the water through sterilizer, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

23. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mixing apparatus comprises: two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use; and wherein the sterile water outlet is located in one of the platens and, when the cartridge is not connected to said mixing apparatus, the platens sealingly engage against one another such that the water exits said sterile water outlet and is circulated through the platens and through the sterilizer in a closed loop within said mixing apparatus, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

24. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mixing apparatus comprises two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use, and wherein upon insertion of the cartridge between the two platens, a sterile water connector interfaces with an edge of the cartridge.

25. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a closed loop circuit and a sterilization cartridge and wherein, when the cartridge in which dialysis is effected is removed from the mixing apparatus between treatments, said sterilization cartridge is inserted into the mixing apparatus through which any residual water in the mixing apparatus between treatments is circulated as part of the closed loop circuit.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sterilization cartridge has an internal passage way which forms a part of the sterile water loop such that residual water enters the sterilization cartridge via a first sterile connector and returns to the apparatus via a second connector.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sterilization cartridge contains a filter element, through which the residual water flows, which removes any particles or contaminants within the closed loop circuit.

28. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sterilization cartridge has a receptacle for accepting a cleaning fluid or tablet that can be used to chemically and/or biologically sterilize the closed loop circuit.

29. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge in which dialysis is effected is disposable and is provided with at least one connector for connection to a fluid additive supply whereby an additive is supplied directly to said cartridge for admixture to the sterile water thereby forming dialysate solution, said dialysate solution contacting only the disposable cartridge of the apparatus.

30. The apparatus according to claim 11 to wherein the cartridge in which dialysis is effected has contained within said cartridge, fluid additives for admixture to the sterile water to form dialysate solution.

31. A mixing apparatus for mixing a dialysis solution for use in an extracorporeal dialysis process, the apparatus comprising: a water treatment circuit and a dialysis solution mixer cartridge, the cartridge being releasably received by the apparatus, the water treatment circuit comprising: a de-ionized water inlet, which is configured to receive de-ionized water from a de-ionized water supply; a steriliser downstream of the de-ionized water inlet configured to sterilise the de-ionized water received from the de-ionized water inlet; and a sterile water outlet downstream of the sterilizer configured to open and supply sterile deionized water to the dialysis solution mixer cartridge through action of receiving the cartridge by the apparatus; wherein water remaining in the water treatment circuit after completion of an extracorporeal dialysis process and replacement of the dialysis mixing cartridge with a cleaning cartridge is residual water, and the water treatment circuit is configured to recycle the residual water in a closed loop through the steriliser so as to maintain the residual water in a sterile condition without passing the residual water through a de-ionizer.

Make Better Decisions: Try a trial or see plans & pricing

Drugs may be covered by multiple patents or regulatory protections. All trademarks and applicant names are the property of their respective owners or licensors. Although great care is taken in the proper and correct provision of this service, thinkBiotech LLC does not accept any responsibility for possible consequences of errors or omissions in the provided data. The data presented herein is for information purposes only. There is no warranty that the data contained herein is error free. thinkBiotech performs no independent verification of facts as provided by public sources nor are attempts made to provide legal or investing advice. Any reliance on data provided herein is done solely at the discretion of the user. Users of this service are advised to seek professional advice and independent confirmation before considering acting on any of the provided information. thinkBiotech LLC reserves the right to amend, extend or withdraw any part or all of the offered service without notice.