Dialysis machine

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a dialysis system having a disposable cartridge which includes one or more flowpaths arranged on or within the cartridge, where the one or more flowpaths including at least one of 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.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A disposable cartridge for a dialysis system comprising one or more flowpaths arranged on or within the cartridge, the one or more flowpaths including at least one of 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  1 , wherein:
 in use the dialysate flowpath forms part of a recirculating dialysate loop including a dialyser and a regenerative filter;   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   the cartridge includes a dialyser or is adapted to be attachable to a dialyser.   the cartridge fully encloses the blood flowpath and the dialysate flowpath.   the cartridge comprises a rigid body   the dialysate flow path includes a sterile water inlet to admit sterile water onto the cartridge from the dialysis machine.   
     
     
         33 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 32 , 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;   at least part of the blood flowpath is formed on each of the first and second outwardly facing surfaces   at least part of the dialysate flowpath is formed on each of the first and second outwardly facing surfaces.   
     
     
         34 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 33 , 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. 
     
     
         35 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 32 , 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. 
     
     
         36 . The disposable cartridge of claim  1 , 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. 
     
     
         37 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 36 , 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;   the first dialysate solution base is a bicarbonate solution; and/or   the second dialysate solution base is an acid or acetate solution.   
     
     
         38 . The disposable cartridge of  37 , 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   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 homogeneous mix of sterile water and first dialysate solution base;   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 homogeneous mix of sterile water and first dialysate solution base such that every stroke of the second mixing pump delivers a homogeneous dialysate solution;   
     
     
         39 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 31 , wherein the cartridge includes a flow balance means for achieving a balance in the dialysate solution flow volume. 
     
     
         40 . A dialysis flow balancing system comprising 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 a dialysate line downstream of a first and a second mixing pumps and upstream of a dialyser and the second flow balance pump is arranged in the dialysate line downstream of the dialyser. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising 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. 
     
     
         42 . A dialysis method comprising:
 receiving, at a pump chamber of a second mixing pump, a predetermined volume of a mix of sterile water and first dialysate solution base from a first mixing pump,   and   dispensing, within the dialysate flow path, 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, wherein:
 the first dialysate solution base is a bicarbonate solution; and/or 
 the second dialysate solution base is an acid or acetate solution.