Dialysis Machine

Abstract

A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine has a blood flow path for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyser and a dialysate flow path, isolated from the blood flow path, for delivering a flow of dialysate 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 . 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, wherein the cartridge includes a dialyser or is adapted to be attachable to a dialyser. 
     
     
         2 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein in use the dialysate flowpath forms part of a recirculating dialysate loop including a dialyser and a regenerative filter. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein in use the dialysate flowpath forms part of a continuous dialysate line including a sterile water supply inlet from the dialysis machine, a dialyser and a waste fluid outlet downstream of the dialyser. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The disposable cartridge  claim 1  wherein the cartridge fully encloses the blood flowpath and the dialysate flowpath. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge comprises a rigid body. 
     
     
         7 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 6  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. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 7  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 dialysate flowpath. 
     
     
         9 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 7  wherein at least part of the blood flowpath is formed on each of the first and second outwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 7  wherein at least part of the dialysate flowpath is formed on each of the first and second outwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 6  wherein, in use, the rigid body is held in place in the dialysis machine by at least one moveable platen which engages one of the first or second outwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the dialysate flow path includes a sterile water inlet to admit sterile water onto the cartridge from the dialysis machine. 
     
     
         13 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge includes a flow balance means for achieving a balance in the dialysate solution flow volume observed at the dialyser inlet and outlet over the course of a treatment. 
     
     
         21 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 20  wherein the flow balance means comprises a first flow balance pump and a second flow balance pump, the pumps operable between two modes of operation, a first mode of operation in which the first flow balance pump is arranged in the dialysate line downstream of the first and second mixing pumps and upstream of the dialyser and the second flow balance pump is arranged in the dialysate line downstream of the dialyser, and a second mode of operation in which the second flow balance pump is arranged in the dialysate line 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 downstream of the dialyser. 
     
     
         22 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge includes means for delivering heparin into the blood flowpath. 
     
     
         23 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge includes means for receiving a bicarbonate cartridge. 
     
     
         24 . A dialysis machine adapted to receive the dialysis cartridge of  claim 1 , the machine including at least one platen arranged in use to hold the cartridge in position on the machine. 
     
     
         25 . The dialysis machine of  claim 24  wherein the at least one platen includes level sensors arranged to sense the level of fluid on the cartridge. 
     
     
         26 . The dialysis machine of  claim 24  wherein the at least one platen includes pressure sensors arranged to sense the pressure of fluid on the cartridge. 
     
     
         27 . The dialysis machine of  claim 24  wherein the at least one platen includes flow sensors arranged to sense the flow rate of fluid on the cartridge. 
     
     
         28 . The dialysis machine of  claim 24  wherein the at least one platen includes colour sensors arranged to detect blood leaks on the cartridge. 
     
     
         29 . The dialysis machine of  claim 24  wherein the at least one platen includes conductivity sensors arranged to measure the concentration of the dialysate solution. 
     
     
         30 . The dialysis machine of  claim 24  wherein the machine comprises a pair of platens which come together in use to hold the cartridge in position. 
     
     
         31 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge includes a dialyser. 
     
     
         32 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 31  wherein in use the dialysate flowpath forms part of a recirculating dialysate loop including a 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 dialysis machine, a dialyser and a waste fluid outlet downstream of the dialyser.