Fluid processing apparatus

Abstract

A machine 1 is provided with a slot 2 to releasably receive and retain a cartridge 4 in which dialysis is effected. The machine 1 is configured for supplying to the cartridge 4, 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.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . A machine adapted to releasably receive a cartridge in which dialysis is effected, said machine having a fluid circuit for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in the hemodialysis, the machine being operable to maintain in a sterile condition residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment. 
   
   
       41 . A machine according to  claim 40 , further comprising a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply, and a sterile water outlet for supplying water to the cartridge, wherein said machine is provided with a sterilizer for sterilising water as it flows from said water inlet to said sterile water outlet. 
   
   
       42 . A machine according to  claim 41 , wherein said fluid circuit recycles residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment in a closed loop circuit through the sterilizer when the apparatus is not performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, thus maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       43 . A machine according to  claim 42 , 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. 
   
   
       44 . A machine according to  claim 43 , wherein the water is heated to at least 85 degrees centigrade. 
   
   
       45 . A machine according to  claim 43 , wherein said machine is provided with a heat exchanger to cool the water, prior to its supply to the cartridge, to substantially human body temperature. 
   
   
       46 . A machine according to  claim 41 , further comprising a valve for preventing water from exiting the sterile water outlet when no cartridge is present. 
   
   
       47 . A machine according to  claim 40 , further comprising two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, adapted to receive and hold the cartridge. 
   
   
       48 . A machine according to  claim 47 , wherein said platens comprise means for actuating features embodied in the cartridge. 
   
   
       49 . A machine according to  claim 41 , 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 comprises an outlet valve in one of said platens which, when in a first position presents a flush surface with said one platen and prevents water from exiting the sterile outlet and a second position wherein an outlet is formed in the face of said one platen allowing the sterile water to pass therethrough into the cartridge. 
   
   
       50 . A machine according to  claim 49 , wherein when the outlet valve is in its first position residual water within the machine is prevented by said outlet valve from exiting the sterile water outlet, and is circulated around a closed loop within said machine, said closed loop passing the water through the sterilizer, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       51 . A machine according to  claim 41 , 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 a closed loop within said machine, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       52 . An apparatus for performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a cartridge in which dialysis is effected, the cartridge being connectable by tubing to the patient's blood circulatory system; and   b) a machine, to which the cartridge is releasably connectable, for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in the hemodialysis, the machine being operable to maintain in a sterile condition residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment.   
   
   
       53 . The apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the machine has a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply, and a sterile water outlet for attachment to the cartridge, and wherein said machine is provided with a sterilizer for sterilising water as it flows from said water inlet to said sterile water outlet. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus according to  claim 53 , wherein said apparatus recycles residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment in a closed loop circuit through the sterilizer when the apparatus is not performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, thus maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus according to  claim 54 , 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 killed. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus according to  claim 55 , 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. 
   
   
       57 . An apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein the water is heated to at least 85 degrees centigrade. 
   
   
       58 . An apparatus according to  claim 55 , wherein, subsequent to heating the water to sterilise it, said apparatus is provided with a heat exchanger to cool the water to substantially human body temperature. 
   
   
       59 . The apparatus according to  claim 58 , wherein the water is cooled to substantially human body temperature within the machine prior to said water exiting the machine via the sterile outlet. 
   
   
       60 . The apparatus according to  claim 58 , wherein the water exits the sterile outlet at an elevated temperature and is cooled to substantially human body temperature within the cartridge. 
   
   
       61 . The apparatus according to  claim 54 , wherein when the cartridge is disconnected from the machine, the residual water within the machine is prevented by a valve from exiting the sterile water outlet, and is circulated around a closed loop within said machine and said closed loop passing the water through the sterilizer, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       62 . The apparatus according to  claim 52 , wherein the machine comprises two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use. 
   
   
       63 . The apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein the cartridge comprises pumps and valves for controlling one ore more fluid within the cartridge and said platens comprise means of actuating said pumps and valves. 
   
   
       64 . The apparatus according to  claim 53 , wherein the machine 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. 
   
   
       65 . The apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein when the outlet valve is in its first position residual water within the machine is prevented by said outlet valve from exiting the sterile water outlet, and is circulated around a closed loop within said machine, said closed loop passing the water through sterilizer, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       66 . The apparatus according to  claim 54 , wherein the machine 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 machine, 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 machine, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition. 
   
   
       67 . The apparatus according to  claim 53 , wherein the machine 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, the sterile water connector interfaces with an edge of the cartridge. 
   
   
       68 . The apparatus according to  claim 54 , further comprising a closed loop circuit and sterilization cartridge and wherein, when the cartridge in which dialysis is effected is removed from the machine between treatments, said sterilisation cartridge is inserted into the machine through which any residual water in the machine between treatments is circulated as part of the closed loop circuit. 
   
   
       69 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the cartridge has an internal passage way which forms a part of the sterile water loop such that residual water enters the cartridge via a first sterile connector and returns to the apparatus via a second connector. 
   
   
       70 . The apparatus according to  claim 54  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. 
   
   
       71 . The apparatus according to  claim 54  wherein the sterilization cartridge has a receptacle for accepting a cleaning fluid or tablet that can be used to chemically and/or biologically sterilise the closed loop circuit. 
   
   
       72 . An apparatus according to  claim 52 , 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. 
   
   
       73 . An apparatus according to  claim 52  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.