Dialysis machine

Abstract

A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine has a blood flowpath for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyseer and a dialysate flowpath, isolated from the blood flowpath, for delivering a flow of dislysate solution through the dialyser. The cartridge is received in an engine section of the machine. The engine section has first and second platens which close when the cartridge is inserted to retain the cartridge. Actuators and sensors arranged on the second platen control operation of the cartridge.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine, the cartridge comprising a blood flowpath for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyser and a dialysate flowpath, isolated from the blood flowpath, for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through the dialyser. 
     
     
         32 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 31 , wherein in use the dialysate flowpath forms part of a recirculating dialysate loop including the dialyser and a regenerative filter. 
     
     
         33 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 31 , wherein in use the dialysate flowpath forms part of a continuous dialysate line including a sterile water supply inlet from the hemodialysis machine, the dialyser and a waste fluid outlet, said waste fluid outlet downstream of the dialyser. 
     
     
         34 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 33 , wherein the cartridge includes the dialyser or is adapted to be attachable to the dialyser. 
     
     
         35 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 33 , wherein the cartridge fully encloses the blood flowpath and the dialysate flowpath. 
     
     
         36 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 33 , wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid body. 
     
     
         37 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 36 , wherein the rigid body has a first outwardly facing surface and a second outwardly facing surface, each of the outwardly facing surfaces being enclosed by a deformable membrane. 
     
     
         38 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second outwardly facing surfaces collectively define a blood flow channel and a dialysate flow channel, the deformable membranes enclosing the flow channels to form the blood flowpath and the dialysate flowpath. 
     
     
         39 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 38 , wherein at least part of the blood flowpath is formed on each of the first and second outwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         40 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 39 , wherein at least part of the dialysate flowpath is formed on each of the first and second outwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         41 . The disposable cartridge of of  claim 37 , wherein, in use, the rigid body is held in place in the hemodialysis machine by at least one moveable platen which engages one of the first or second outwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         42 . The disposable cartridge  claim 41 , wherein the dialysate flow path includes a sterile water inlet to admit sterile water onto the cartridge from the hemodialysis machine. 
     
     
         43 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 42 , wherein the dialysate flow path includes a first mixing pump having a pump chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of sterile water, and a dispenser for dispensing into the pump chamber a predetermined volume of a first dialysate solution base, the first mixing pump operable to form and pump the resulting homogeneous mixture of sterile water and first dialysate solution base out of the pump chamber. 
     
     
         44 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 43 , wherein the dialysate flow path includes a second mixing pump downstream of the first mixing pump, the second mixing pump having a second pump chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of the mix of sterile water and first dialysate solution base from the first mixing pump, the dialysate flow path further including a dispenser for dispensing into the second pump chamber a predetermined volume of a second dialysate solution base, the second mixing pump operable to pump the resulting dialysate solution of sterile water and first and second dialysate solution bases out of the second pump chamber. 
     
     
         45 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 43 , wherein the first dialysate solution base is a bicarbonate solution. 
     
     
         46 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 44 , wherein the second dialysate solution base is one of an acid and acetate solution. 
     
     
         47 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 44 , wherein the operation of each of the first and second mixing pumps is achieved by displacement of the deformable membrane by way of pneumatic actuation. 
     
     
         48 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 43 , wherein operation of the first mixing pump is such that the predetermined volume of first dialysate solution base is delivered into the pump chamber at the same time as the pump is actuated to draw into the pump chamber a volume of sterile water such that every stroke of the pump delivers a homogoneous mix of sterile water and first dialysate solution base. 
     
     
         49 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 44 , wherein operation of the second mixing pump is such that the predetermined volume of the second dialysate solution base is delivered into the pump chamber at the same time as the pump is actuated to draw into the pump chamber a volume of homogoneous mix of sterile water and first dialysate solution base such that every stroke of the second mixing pump delivers a homogoneous dialysate solution. 
     
     
         50 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 31 , wherein the cartridge includes a flow balancer for achieving a balance of dialysate solution flow volume observed at the dialyser inlet and at the dialyser outlet outlet over the course of a treatment. 
     
     
         51 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 50 , wherein the flow balancer comprises a first flow balance pump and a second flow balance pump, the balance pumps operable between two modes of operation, a first mode of operation in which the first flow balance pump is arranged in a dialysate line, said first flow balance pump downstream of the first and second mixing pumps and upstream of the dialyser and the second flow balance pump is arranged in said dialysate line, said second flow balance pump downstream of the dialyser, and a second mode of operation in which the second flow balance pump is arranged in the dialysate line, said second flow balance pump downstream of the first and second mixing pumps and upstream of the dialyser and the first flow balance pump is arranged in the dialysate line, said first flow balance pump downstream of the dialyser. 
     
     
         52 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 43 , wherein the cartridge includes a delivery pump for delivering heparin into the blood flowpath. 
     
     
         53 . A hemodialysis machine adapted to receive the dialysis cartridge of  claim 31 , the machine including at least one platen arranged in use to hold the cartridge in position on the machine. 
     
     
         54 . The hemodialysis machine of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one platen includes one or more level sensors arranged to sense the level of fluid on the cartridge. 
     
     
         55 . The hemodialysis machine of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one platen includes one or more pressure sensors arranged to sense the fluid pressure on the cartridge. 
     
     
         56 . The hemodialysis machine of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one platen includes one or more flow sensors arranged to sense the flow rate of one or more fluids on the cartridge. 
     
     
         57 . The hemodialysis machine of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one platen includes one or more colour sensors arranged to detect blood leaks on the cartridge. 
     
     
         58 . The hemodialysis machine of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one platen includes one or more conductivity sensors, each sensor arranged to measure the concentration of the dialysate solution within the cartridge. 
     
     
         59 . The hemodialysis machine of  claim 53 , wherein the machine comprises a pair of platens which come together in use to hold the cartridge in position.