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. 
     
     
         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 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge includes a dialyser or is adapted to be attachable to a dialyser. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable cartridge of  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 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 12  wherein the dialysate flow path includes a first mixing pump having a pump chamber for receiving a predetermined volume of sterile water, and a dispensing means for dispensing into the pump chamber a predetermined volume of a first dialysate solution base, the first mixing pump operable to pump the resulting homogeneous mixture of sterile water and first dialysate solution base out of the pump chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 13  wherein the dialysate flow path includes a second mixing pump downstream of the first mixing pump, the second mixing pump having a 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 dispensing means for dispensing into the 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 pump chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 13  wherein the first dialysate solution base is a bicarbonate solution. 
     
     
         16 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the second dialysate solution base is an acid or acetate solution. 
     
     
         17 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 13  wherein the operation of each of the first and/or second mixing pumps is achieved by displacement of the deformable membrane by way of pneumatic actuation. 
     
     
         18 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 13  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. 
     
     
         19 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 14  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. 
     
     
         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 - 30 . (canceled)