Systems and methods for peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Systems and methods relating to dialysis therapy, particularly continuous flow dialysis therapy, are provided. The present invention includes a single closed fluid path along which a minimal amount of therapy fluid including dialysate is fed into, continuously circulated and cleaned such that a therapeutic effective amount of solutes, excess water and the like can be removed from the patient connected to the closed fluid loop during treatment.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 623,317, filed Jul. 17, 2003, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No. 60 / 397,045, filed Jul. 19, 2002, both entitled “Systems And Methods For Peritoneal Dialysis”; the entire contents of both applications are hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for providing peritoneal dialysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing continuous flow peritoneal dialysis. [0003] Due to disease, insult or other causes, a person's renal system can fail. In renal failure of any cause, there are several physiological derangements. The balance of water, minerals and the excretion of daily metabolic load is no longer possible in renal failure. During renal failure, toxic end products of nitrogen metabolism (e.g., urea, creatinine, uric...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025] An advantage of the present invention is to provide improved systems and methods for providing dialysis therapy.

[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide improved systems and methods for continuous flow peritoneal dialysis.

[0027] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an optimal use of dialysate during continuous flow peritoneal dialysis.

[0028] Yet still another advantage of the present invention is to minimize treatment times while providing optimal use of the dialysate during continuous flow peritoneal dialysis.

[0029] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide improved systems and methods for performing dialysis therapy which can be safely and conveniently administered to a patient in a home setting.

[0030] Yet a further advantage of the present invention is to provide improved systems and methods of peritoneal dialysis that can effectively clean spent dialysate such that it can be circulated and reused during treatment in order to minimize the amount of dialysate necessary for effective treatment.

Problems solved by technology

Due to disease, insult or other causes, a person's renal system can fail.

The balance of water, minerals and the excretion of daily metabolic load is no longer possible in renal failure.

During renal failure, toxic end products of nitrogen metabolism (e.g., urea, creatinine, uric acid, and others) can accumulate in blood and tissues.

Consequently, contamination of such a dialysis system can be problematic.

Thus, the dialysate fluid exiting the REDY™ cartridge is not suitable for peritoneal dialysis.

Manual peritoneal dialysis performed by the patient requires a significant amount of time and effort from the patient.

In this regard, the volume of dialysate necessary to carry out treatment for a continuous flow single use or pass system can be large in size rendering their daily use cost prohibitive.

However, the removal of ammonia can be problematic and thus may not provide a failsafe measure.

This can add to the complexity of the therapy and thus increase the cost associated with same.

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