Dialysis device and method of dialysis

Abstract

A dialysis device is provided including a disposable housing having a flow path along which dialysate received from a patient is subjected to contaminant removal when in operation. The device includes a controller for controlling the operation of the disposable housing and an interface capable of operably coupling the controller and the disposable housing to enable the contaminant removal from the dialysate. The flow path is fluidly sealed from the controller and interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dialysis device, comprising:
 a disposable housing having a dialysate flow path along which dialysate received from a patient is subjected to contaminant removal when in operation, wherein said disposable housing comprises a storage chamber in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path for storing the dialysate therein for contaminant removal;   a controller for controlling the operation of said disposable housing;   an interface capable of operably coupling the controller and the disposable housing to enable the contaminant removal from the dialysate;   a fluid displacement structure configured to move the dialysate along the dialysate flow path, wherein said fluid displacement structure comprises a deformable diaphragm integrally formed with at least one wall of said storage chamber; and   a pump configured to actuate the deformable diaphragm;   wherein the flow path is fluidly sealed from the controller and the interface,   and the dialysis device is a wearable dialysis device.   
     
     
         2 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said disposable housing comprises a sorbent zone in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path for removing contaminants in the dialysate. 
     
     
         3 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said disposable housing further comprises valve means disposed along the dialysate flow path configured to control the direction of movement of the dialysate relative to the sorbent zone and storage chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said valve means is operative by the flow direction of dialysate along said flow path. 
     
     
         5 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 3 , the controller further comprising an actuator for actuating said fluid displacement member and said valve means when said controller is connected to the disposable housing by said interface. 
     
     
         6 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said deformable diaphragm is in fluid contact on one side with the dialysate flow path and, on another opposite side, in contact with a pressure chamber that is capable of receiving fluid therein. 
     
     
         7 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the deformable diaphragm is disposed in a rigid member in the disposable housing. 
     
     
         8 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a pump capable of fluid communication with the pressure chamber when said interface operably couples said disposable housing to said controller. 
     
     
         9 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said interface comprises a conduit connector that fluidly couples the pump to the pressure chamber of the disposable housing. 
     
     
         10 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the conduit connector comprises a first mating part disposed at the controller and a second mating part disposed at the disposable housing, and wherein the first and second mating parts are configured to lockingly engage with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the disposable housing comprises an enrichment module for dispensing a desired additive into the dialysate. 
     
     
         12 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the enrichment module is activated by fluid pressure changes that occur in the conduit connector that is in fluid communication with the pump. 
     
     
         13 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said disposable housing further comprises a gas vent in fluid communication with the flow path for venting gas from said dialysate. 
     
     
         14 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein:
 (a) the gas vent is activated by fluid pressure changes that occur in the conduit connector that is in fluid communication with the pump, and/or   (b) the gas vent is coupled to a hydrophilic bacteria filter in the dialysate flow path.   
     
     
         15 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said storage chamber is upstream of said sorbent zone. 
     
     
         16 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said controller comprises a computer configured to act on instructions for operation of the pump. 
     
     
         17 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a pressure sensor to trigger the reversal of the pump from an outflow mode to an inflow mode, when the storage chamber is detected to be filled with dialysate, and from the inflow mode to the outflow mode, when the storage chamber is detected to be emptied of dialysate,
 optionally wherein the pressure sensor is located at the interface and is configured to determine the pressure of said dialysate when in the disposable housing,   optionally wherein the interface is disposed at the controller and at the disposable housing, and wherein the pressure sensor is disposed in the controller and is in fluid communication with the conduit connector.   
     
     
         18 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising an ammonia sensor configured to detect ammonia present in said dialysate, optionally wherein:
 (a) the ammonia sensor is disposed in the disposable housing, and/or   (b) the ammonia sensor is configured to detect ammonia or ammonium ions, and/or   (c) the ammonia sensor comprises a material which changes color in the presence of ammonia, and/or   (d) the ammonia sensor comprises an ammonia-sensitive membrane.   
     
     
         19 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device is powered by a battery, optionally wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery, optionally wherein the battery is a lithium polymer battery. 
     
     
         20 . The dialysis device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow path comprises a fibrin trap located upstream of the sorbent zone.