Technique for automatically preparing a dialysis machine at a predetermined date and time

Abstract

A technique for automatically cleaning, disinfecting and otherwise preparing a dialysis machine includes a method and apparatus for programming the dialysis machine to awaken from a reduced power mode at a predetermined time and perform one of several wake-up procedures (e.g., rinsing, dialysate preparation, or hot water or chemical disinfection). A wake-up time and a corresponding wake-up procedure is preferably programmed for each day of the week. If disinfection is programmed, the machine wakes up at the predetermined time to heat the water or mix the chemicals before pumping the cleaning/disinfecting liquid through the dialysis machine. The machine then rinses the cleaning/disinfecting liquid down a waste drain. If a chemical solution is utilized, the dialysis machine may be programmed to allow the chemical solution to dwell within the dialysis machine for a predetermined period before rinsing it down the drain. The apparatus includes an input/output device, a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory system for programing and storing the desired wake-up times and cleaning/disinfecting procedures. The automatic nature of the method and apparatus allow a dialysis machine operator to prepare the dialysis machine prior to leaving at the end of the day so that the machine automatically cleans and disinfects itself or starts to prepare dialysate before the start of the next day. Sensors within the dialysis machine may determine whether the machine is properly configured for the desired wake-up procedure before the operator leaves at the end of the day.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of cleaning and disinfecting a dialysis machine with hot water, said dialysis machine including a dialysate preparation line and a waste disposal line adapted to be connected to a dialyzer, and said method comprising the steps of: connecting a bypass line between the dialysate preparation line and the waste disposal line to transmit the heated water between the dialysate preparation and waste disposal lines;   connecting a first recirculation line to the dialysate preparation line and connecting a second recirculation line to the waste disposal line to recirculate the hot water through both the dialysate preparation and waste disposal lines; and   programing the dialysis machine to perform the following steps at a predetermined date and time:   heating a supply of water;   pumping the heated water through the dialysate preparation line, the bypass line, the waste disposal line and each of the recirculation lines; and   pumping the heated water down a waste drain within the waste disposal line to dispose of the heated water.   
     
     
       2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of reducing power to the dialysis machine at the end of the day to conserve energy until the predetermined date and time. 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of conducting a diagnostic test prior to reducing power to the dialysis machine to ensure that the bypass and recirculation lines are properly connected. 
     
     
       4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of performing a diagnostic test of a computer processor and memory system prior to heating the supply of water. 
     
     
       5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of providing an indication that the dialysis machine has been cleaned and disinfected after the heated water has been disposed of down the waste drain. 
     
     
       6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of reducing power to the dialysis machine after providing the indication that the dialysis machine has been cleaned and disinfected. 
     
     
       7. A method of cleaning and disinfecting a dialysis machine with a chemical solution, said dialysis machine including a dialysate preparation line and a waste disposal line adapted to be connected to a dialyzer, and said method comprising the steps of: connecting a bypass line between the dialysate preparation line and the waste disposal line to transmit the chemical solution between the dialysate preparation and waste disposal lines;   connecting a first recirculation line to the dialysate preparation line and connecting a second recirculation line to the waste disposal line to recirculate the chemical solution through both the dialysate preparation and waste disposal lines;   connecting a chemical source to the dialysate preparation line; and   programing the dialysis machine to perform the following steps at a predetermined date and time:   mixing chemicals from the chemical source with water from a water source to create the chemical solution within the dialysate preparation line;   pumping the chemical solution through the dialysate preparation line, the bypass line, the waste disposal line and each of the recirculation lines;   pumping the chemical solution down a waste drain within the waste disposal line to dispose of the chemical solution; and   rinsing the dialysis machine with water to remove the chemicals from the dialysate preparation line, the bypass line, the waste disposal line and each of the recirculation lines.   
     
     
       8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of reducing power to the dialysis machine at the end of the day to conserve energy until the predetermined date and time. 
     
     
       9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of polling sensors connected to the chemical source and the recirculation lines prior to reducing power to the dialysis machine to ensure that the recirculation lines and the chemical source are properly connected. 
     
     
       10. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of allowing the chemical solution to dwell within the dialysate preparation line, the bypass line, the waste disposal line and each of the recirculation lines for a predetermined time before pumping the chemical solution down the waste drain. 
     
     
       11. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of performing a diagnostic test of a computer processor and memory system prior to mixing the chemicals and the water to create the chemical solution. 
     
     
       12. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of providing an indication that the dialysis machine has been cleaned and disinfected after the step of rinsing the dialysis machine with water. 
     
     
       13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of reducing power to the dialysis machine after providing the indication that the dialysis machine has been cleaned and disinfected. 
     
     
       14. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of heating the water prior to mixing the chemicals with the water to create the chemical solution. 
     
     
       15. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the steps prior to rinsing the dialysis machine with water are performed prior to the predetermined date and time. 
     
     
       16. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the steps prior to rinsing the dialysis machine with water are performed prior to the predetermined date and time. 
     
     
       17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the dialysis machine is programmed to include an additional step of providing an indication that the dialysis machine has been cleaned and disinfected after the step of rinsing the dialysis machine with water.