Dialysis system having an autoconnection mechanism

Abstract

A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine comprising a motorized autoconnection mechanism, a fluid supply line connected to a source of dialysis fluid, and a cassette for use with the dialysis machine. The cassette includes a frame, a pump chamber within the frame, a first set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the fluid supply line to the pump chamber, and a second set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the pump chamber to a patient line. The cassette also includes a plurality of ports communicating with the first and second set of valves. Each port includes an integral spike. The motorized autoconnection mechanism is configured to move the fluid supply line and the patient line automatically so as to be spiked open respectively by the plurality of ports of the cassette.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A dialysis system comprising:
 a dialysis machine comprising a motorized autoconnection mechanism;   at least one fluid supply line connected to a source of dialysis fluid; and   a cassette for use with the dialysis machine, the cassette comprising:
 a frame, 
 at least one pump chamber within the frame, 
 a first set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the at least one fluid supply line to the at least one pump chamber, 
 a second set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the at least one pump chamber to a patient line, and 
 a plurality of ports communicating with the first and second set of valves, each port comprising an integral spike, 
   wherein the motorized autoconnection mechanism is configured to move the at least one fluid supply line and the patient line automatically so as to be spiked open respectively by the plurality of ports of the cassette.   
     
     
         2 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis machine comprises a heater. 
     
     
         3 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ports includes a patient outlet port and a drain port, wherein the cassette further comprises a third set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the patient outlet port to the drain port, and wherein the autoconnection mechanism is configured to move a patient outlet line and a drain line automatically so as to be spiked open by the patient outlet port and the drain port, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ports includes a patient outlet port and a drain port, wherein the cassette further comprises a third set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the patient outlet port to the at least one pump and a fourth set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the at least one pump to the drain port, and wherein the autoconnection mechanism is configured to move a patient outlet line and a drain line automatically so as to be spiked open by the patient outlet port and the drain port, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the cassette comprises two pump chambers. 
     
     
         6 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ports includes a removable cap covering the integral spike, and wherein the autoconnection mechanism is configured to remove the removable cap covering the integral spike. 
     
     
         7 . The dialysis system of  claim 6 , wherein the removable cap has radial symmetry. 
     
     
         8 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is made out of a rigid plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein each port comprises a shroud, the spike recessed within the shroud. 
     
     
         10 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the ports and spikes are oriented at about ninety degrees to a longitudinal axis of the cassette. 
     
     
         11 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the integral spike comprises three diameters along a length of the spike. 
     
     
         12 . A dialysis system comprising:
 a dialysis machine comprising a motorized autoconnection mechanism;   at least one fluid supply line; and   a cassette for use with the dialysis machine, the cassette including:
 a frame, 
 at least one pump chamber within the frame, 
 a heating tube, 
 a first set of valves for routing a fluid from the at least one fluid supply line to the heating tube, 
 a second set of valves for routing the fluid from the heating tube to the at least one pump, 
 a third set of valves for routing the fluid from the at least one pump to a patient line, and 
 a plurality of ports communicating with the first set of valves and the third set of valves, each port comprising an integral spike, 
   wherein the motorized autoconnection mechanism is configured to move the at least one fluid supply line and the patient line automatically so as to be spiked open respectively by the plurality of ports of the cassette.   
     
     
         13 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ports comprises a patient outlet port and a drain port, wherein the cassette further includes a fourth set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the patient outlet port to the drain port, and wherein the autoconnection mechanism is configured to move a patient outlet line and a drain line automatically so as to be spiked open by the patient outlet port and the drain port, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ports includes a patient outlet port and a drain port, wherein the cassette further comprises a fourth set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the patient outlet port to the at least one pump and a fifth set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the at least one pump to the drain port, and wherein the autoconnection mechanism is configured to move a patient outlet line and a drain line automatically so as to be spiked open by the patient outlet port and the drain port, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein the cassette comprises two pump chambers. 
     
     
         16 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of ports includes a removable cap covering the integral spike, and wherein the autoconnection mechanism is configured to remove the removable cap covering the integral spike. 
     
     
         17 . The dialysis system of  claim 16 , wherein the removable cap has radial symmetry. 
     
     
         18 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein the frame is made out of a rigid plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein each port comprises a shroud, the spike recessed within the shroud. 
     
     
         20 . The dialysis system of  claim 12 , wherein the ports and spikes are oriented at about ninety degrees to a longitudinal axis of the cassette.