Degassing system for dialysis

Abstract

The invention relates to a degassing vessel and related systems and methods that can remove certain gases such as carbon dioxide from a dialysis system with minimal foaming inside the degassing vessel. The invention further relates to mechanical systems and methods for degassing a dialysate or any fluid used for, during or resulting from dialysis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A degassing vessel for use in dialysis; comprising:
 a fluid inlet in the degassing vessel fluidly connectable to a dialysate flow path;   a liquid outlet in the degassing vessel fluidly connectable to the dialysate flow path;   a gas outlet fluidly connectable to a vacuum pump; and   a degas sprayer fluidly connected to the fluid inlet;   wherein the liquid outlet is fluidly connectable to the degas sprayer;   wherein the degassing vessel comprises a spray chamber and a float chamber; the spray chamber fluidly connected to the float chamber at or near a bottom of the spray chamber and a bottom of the float chamber; wherein the degas sprayer is positioned above the spray chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , the degas sprayer directing liquid downwardly into the degassing vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , the spray chamber having a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , the liquid outlet positioned in a bottom portion of the spray chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , the gas outlet positioned between the spray chamber and the float chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a level sensor in the float chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The degassing vessel of  claim 6 , wherein the level sensor comprises one or more of: a float with a magnet and a linear array of Hall effect sensors, an ultrasonic sensor, and a capacitive sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in the liquid outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor in the gas outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve positioned between the gas outlet and the vacuum pump. 
     
     
         11 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent valve positioned between a vent and the gas outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The degassing vessel of  claim 11 , further comprising a filter fluidly connected to the vent valve. 
     
     
         13 . The degassing vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure sensor is an absolute pressure sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The degassing vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure sensor is a gauge pressure sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a separator between the spray chamber and the float chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The degassing vessel of  claim 10 , further comprising a second valve fluidly connected to the gas outlet and fluidly connectable to a dialysate flow path. 
     
     
         17 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the float chamber and spray chamber are fluidly connected by one or more channels at or near the bottom of the float chamber and spray chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal conduit fluidly connecting the sprayer and the dialysate flow path. 
     
     
         19 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid outlet is positioned in the spray chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The degassing vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid outlet is positioned in the float chamber.