Dialysis device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dialysis device that efficiently performs a pre-flushing operation. In the pre-flushing operation, the venous passage (3A) is kept in a state of being connected to the upper part. In a state in which a dialysate supply on-off valve (V9) is closed and a dialysate collection on-off valve (V10) is opened, a pressurization means operates and causes a pre-flush liquid to flow into a dialyzer (2) from a dialysate collection passage (4B), whereby the pre-flush liquid in a dialysate flow path (12b) is reversely filtered in a hollow fiber (12) (blood purification membrane), and a blood flow path (12a) is filled with the pre-flush liquid and pressurized (b). Next, after closing the dialysate collection on-off valve (V10), a decompression means depressurizes the dialysate circuit (4) to generate a pressure difference between the blood circuit (3) and the dialysate circuit (4), and when a dialysate supply on-off valve (V9) provided in the dialysate supply path (4A) is opened, the pre-flush liquid in the blood flow path (12a) is positively filtered in the hollow fibers (12) by the pressure difference, and the pre-flush liquid is discharged from the blood flow path (12a) by the hollow fibers (12). The pre-flush liquid in the blood flow path (12a) flows into the dialysate flow path (12b), and air bubbles B (c) remaining above the dialysate flow path (12b) are removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dialysis device, and more particularly to a dialysis device capable of efficiently performing a priming operation of filling a dialyzer with a priming solution. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a dialysis device for performing dialysis treatment is known that includes: a dialyzer having an interior divided by a blood purification membrane into a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path; a blood circuit connected to the blood flow path of the dialyzer; a dialysate circuit connected to the dialysate flow path of the dialyzer; and an infusion pump disposed in the dialysate circuit for transporting the dialysate (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The dialyzer has a cylindrical shape and has a structure at both ends for connecting an arterial channel and a venous channel as a blood circuit. During dialysis treatment, the portion connected to the venous channel is kept facing upward.

[0004] On the other hand, in the above-mentioned dialysis apparatus, before performing dialysis treatment, it is necessary to install the dialyzer in the dialysis apparatus and perform a priming operation to fill the dialyzer, arterial access, and venous access with a priming solution.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7328531 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, when the dialyzer is filled with the priming solution during the priming operation, there is a possibility that air bubbles will remain inside the dialyzer. In particular, if the priming operation is performed with the portion connected to the venous access facing upward as in the case of dialysis treatment, air bubbles B will accumulate in the upper portion of the dialyzer (see FIG. Figure 2 (a)).

[0010] Therefore, conventionally, during the priming operation, it is necessary to remove air bubbles from the dialyzer by turning the dialyzer upside down, etc. However, this is troublesome because it requires monitoring and manual work by the operator.

[0011] In view of such problems, the present invention provides a dialysis device that does not require monitoring and manual work by an operator during the priming operation and can perform the priming operation more efficiently.

[0012] Means used to solve problems

[0013] That is, the dialysis device of technical solution 1 of the present invention comprises: a dialyzer, the interior of which is divided into a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path by a blood purification membrane; a blood circuit having a venous path and an arterial path connected to the blood flow path of the dialyzer; and a dialysate circuit having a dialysate supply path and a dialysate recovery path connected to the dialysate flow path of the dialyzer, characterized in that

[0014] The dialysate system comprises a bypass passage, a dialysate supply on-off valve, a dialysate discharge on-off valve, a pressurizing unit, a depressurizing unit, and a control unit. The bypass passage connects the dialysate supply passage with the dialysate recovery passage. The dialysate supply on-off valve is provided between a location in the dialysate supply passage where it is connected to the bypass passage and the dialyzer. The dialysate discharge on-off valve is provided between a location in the dialysate recovery passage where it is connected to the bypass passage and the dialyzer. The pressurizing unit pressurizes the dialysate circuit. The depressurizing unit depressurizes the dialysate circuit. The control unit controls the bypass passage, the dialysate supply on-off valve, the dialysate discharge on-off valve, the pressurizing unit, and the depressurizing unit.

[0015] During the priming operation of filling the dialyzer with the priming solution, the dialyzer is kept in a state where the venous access is connected upward, and the blood circuit is made into a closed circuit.

[0016] The control unit opens one of the dialysate supply on-off valve and the dialysate discharge on-off valve to allow the priming fluid to flow into the dialyzer from the dialysate supply passage or the dialysate recovery passage, and the pressurizing unit causes the priming fluid to be reverse-filtered in the blood purification membrane and flow from the dialysate flow path into the blood flow path.

[0017] When the blood circuit is pressurized by the priming fluid, the control unit closes the open on-off valve, making the dialysate circuit a closed circuit via the bypass passage, and decompresses the dialysate circuit via the decompression unit, thereby generating a pressure difference between the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit.

[0018] Furthermore, the control unit opens the dialysate supply on-off valve, and through the pressure difference between the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit, the priming fluid in the blood flow path is positively filtered through the blood purification membrane and flows into the dialysate flow path, and is discharged to the above-mentioned dialysate supply path together with the bubbles remaining in the upper part of the dialysate flow path.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the invention of technical solution 1, a priming solution is initially flowed into the dialyzer from the dialysate supply path or the dialysate recovery path by a pressurizing unit, and the priming solution is reverse-filtered by the blood purification membrane and flows into the blood flow path. However, since the dialyzer is maintained with the venous access and the dialysate recovery path connected at the top, air bubbles remain in the upper portion.

[0021] Therefore, the dialysate circuit is depressurized by the decompression unit to generate a pressure difference between the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit. In this state, the dialysate supply on-off valve is opened. As a result, the priming fluid in the blood flow path flows into the dialysate flow path due to the pressure difference, and the bubbles remaining in the upper part of the dialyzer are discharged.

[0022] This allows air bubbles to be discharged from the dialyzer without inverting the dialyzer, and eliminates the need for monitoring and work by an operator, thereby enabling efficient priming. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of the dialysis device according to this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a dialyzer.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the procedure of the priming operation.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the procedure of the priming operation.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the procedure of the priming operation.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the procedure of the priming operation.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the priming operation according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Figure 1 The diagram shows a dialysis apparatus 1 including a dialyzer 2 for performing hemodialysis, a blood circuit 3 connected to the dialyzer 2 and allowing blood to circulate, and a dialysate circuit 4 connected to the dialyzer 2 and allowing dialysate to circulate. The dialysis apparatus 1 is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0031] In the dialysis apparatus 1 , before performing dialysis treatment, it is necessary to install a new dialyzer 2 and blood circuit 3 and perform a priming operation to fill the dialyzer 2 and blood circuit 3 with a priming solution composed of physiological saline and dialysate.

[0032] Figure 2 2 is a diagram illustrating the dialyzer 2. Figure 2 (a) to (c) show the states of the dialyzer 2 during the priming operation.

[0033] The dialyzer 2 has a structure in which numerous hollow fibers 12 serving as blood purification membranes are housed within a cylindrical housing 11. The figure schematically illustrates one hollow fiber 12, with a blood flow path 12a connected to the blood circuit 3 on the inside and a dialysate flow path 12b connected to the dialysate circuit 4 on the outside.

[0034] A venous head 13 and an arterial head 14 are provided at both ends of the housing 11 . The venous head 13 is connected to the venous passage 3A constituting the blood circuit 3 , and the arterial head 14 is connected to the arterial passage 3B.

[0035] Furthermore, connection ports 11a and 11b for connection to the dialysate circuit 4 are provided on the side of the housing 11, adjacent to the venous head 13 and the arterial head 14, respectively. The connection port 11a on the venous head 13 side is connected to the dialysate supply path 4A constituting the dialysate circuit 4, while the connection port 11b on the arterial head 14 side is connected to the dialysate recovery path 4B.

[0036] Furthermore, during dialysis treatment and priming, the dialyzer 2 is mounted in an upright position on the dialysis apparatus 1 , specifically, with the venous head 13 positioned upward and the arterial head 14 positioned downward.

[0037] With the dialyzer 2 installed in this manner, during dialysis treatment, blood in the blood circuit 3 flows from the bottom of the dialyzer 2 through the arterial channel 3B from the arterial side head 14, flows from the bottom to the top through the blood flow path 12a inside the hollow fiber 12, and is then discharged from the upper venous side head 13 to the venous channel 3A.

[0038] On the other hand, in the dialysate circuit 4, fresh dialysate from the dialysate supply passage 4A flows in from the connection port 11a above the dialyzer 2, flows from the top to the bottom in the dialysate flow path 12b outside the hollow fiber 12, and is discharged from the connection port 11b below the dialyzer 2 to the dialysate recovery passage 4B.

[0039] While the blood is flowing through the blood flow path 12 a and the dialysate is flowing through the dialysate flow path 12 b , hemodialysis is performed in the hollow fibers 12 serving as blood purification membranes.

[0040] The blood circuit 3 includes the arterial channel 3B connected to the patient's artery to supply blood to the dialyzer 2 , and the venous channel 3A returning blood from the dialyzer 2 to the patient's vein.

[0041] In the above-mentioned arterial passage 3B, one end thereof is connected to the arterial side head 14 of the above-mentioned dialyzer 2, and a puncture needle 21 for puncturing the patient's blood vessel is provided at the other end, and a clamp 22, a bubble sensor 23, a drip chamber 24, a blood pump 25, a drip chamber 26, and a pressure sensor 26a provided in the drip chamber 26 are provided.

[0042] In the above-mentioned venous access 3A, one end thereof is connected to the venous side head 13 of the above-mentioned dialyzer 2, and the other end is provided with a puncture needle 27 for puncturing the patient's blood vessel, a drip chamber 28 and a pressure sensor 28a, a bubble sensor 29, and a clamp 30 provided in the drip chamber 28.

[0043] Furthermore, when priming the dialyzer 2 with the dialysate, the distal end of the arterial channel 3B and the distal end of the venous channel 3A are connected to each other, forming a closed circuit that is not open to the outside atmosphere.

[0044] The dialysate circuit 4 includes a first dialysate chamber 31 and a second dialysate chamber 32 of the same shape for storing dialysate. Supply chambers 31A and 32A for storing fresh dialysate and recovery chambers 31B and 32B for storing used dialysate are formed inside the first dialysate chamber 31 and the second dialysate chamber 32.

[0045] The liquid supply passage 4C and the dialysate supply passage 4A are respectively branched and connected to the supply chambers 31A and 32A. Liquid supply valves V1 and V2 are provided on the branched passages of the liquid supply passage 4C, and supply valves V3 and V4 are provided on the branched passages of the dialysate supply passage 4A.

[0046] On the other hand, the dialysate recovery passage 4B and the drainage passage 4D are respectively branched and connected to the recovery chambers 31B and 32B. Recovery valves V5 and V6 are provided on the branched passage of the dialysate recovery passage 4B, and drainage valves V7 and V8 are provided on the branched passage of the drainage passage 4D.

[0047] In the liquid supply passage 4C, a purified water supply unit (not shown) for supplying purified water is provided upstream, along with a heat exchanger 41, a heater 42, a degassing pump 43, and a degassing tank 44. A liquid supply source 45 and a liquid supply source 46, which serve as the raw liquids for the dialysate, are connected midway. Liquid supply source 45 and liquid supply source 46 deliver the raw liquids A and B, respectively, via liquid pumps 45a and 46a.

[0048] In the above-mentioned dialysate supply passage 4A, there are provided a first dialysate filter F1 consisting of an endotoxin retaining filter for purifying the dialysate, a second dialysate filter F2, a hydraulic sensor 47, and a flow meter 48. Between the above-mentioned flow meter 48 and the dialyzer 2, there is provided a ninth on-off valve V9 serving as an on-off valve for dialysate supply.

[0049] The dialysate recovery passage 4B is provided with a tenth on-off valve V10 as a dialysate discharge on-off valve, a hydraulic pressure sensor 49 , a concentration sensor 50 , a temperature sensor 51 , a degassing tank 52 , and an infusion pump 53 .

[0050] The degassing tank 52 constitutes a decompression unit in the first embodiment. A degassing passage 54 is provided between the degassing tank 52 and the drain passage 4D. A degassing valve V11 serving as a degassing passage opening and closing valve is provided in the degassing passage 54 .

[0051] The degassing tank 52 removes bubbles from the liquid flowing in the dialysate recovery passage 4B, and by opening the degassing valve V11 of the degassing passage 54 , only bubbles (air) contained in the degassing tank 52 can be discharged into the drainage passage 4D via the degassing passage 54 .

[0052] A dewatering passage 55 communicating with the drainage passage 4D is connected to a position adjacent to the downstream side of the infusion pump 53 , and a dewatering pump 56 is provided in the dewatering passage 55 .

[0053] The drain passage 4D is connected to a drain tank (not shown), and a buffer tank 57 connected to the degassing passage 54 is provided midway.

[0054] Furthermore, in the dialysis apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a first bypass passage 58 is provided between the dialysate supply passage 4A and the dialysate recovery passage 4B, and a twelfth on-off valve V12 is provided in the first bypass passage 58 .

[0055] One end of the first bypass passage 58 is arranged on the upstream side of the ninth on-off valve V9 of the dialysate supply passage 4A and between the flow meter 48 and the ninth on-off valve V9, and the other end is arranged on the downstream side of the tenth on-off valve V10 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B and between the hydraulic pressure sensor 49 and the concentration sensor 50.

[0056] Furthermore, a second bypass passage 59 constituting a pressurizing unit in the first embodiment is provided between the liquid supply passage 4C and the dialysate recovery passage 4B. A thirteenth on-off valve V13 is provided in the second bypass passage 59 .

[0057] One end of the second bypass passage 59 is arranged on the upstream side of the infusion pump 53 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B and between the degassing tank 52 and the infusion pump 53, and the other end is arranged between the heat exchanger 41 and the heater 42 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B.

[0058] use Figure 3 The flow of dialysate during hemodialysis treatment in the dialysis device 1 having the above-described structure will be described. The flow of water and dialysate in the liquid supply passage 4C and the liquid discharge passage 4D is omitted in the figure. In the following description, the on-off valve is colored black when open and white when closed.

[0059] Water and stock solutions A and B are supplied from the water supply unit and the liquid A and liquid B supply sources 45 and 46 to the supply chamber 31A of the first dialysate chamber 31 via the liquid supply passage 4C, and mixed therein to prepare fresh dialysate.

[0060] When water and raw liquid flow into the supply chamber 31A, the volume of the supply chamber 31A increases as the diaphragm deforms, thereby reducing the volume of the recovery chamber 31B. The used dialysate is discharged from the recovery chamber 31B through the drainage passage 4D.

[0061] On the other hand, when the used dialysate that has passed through the dialyzer 2 is supplied to the recovery chamber 32B of the second dialysate chamber 32 via the dialysate recovery passage 4B, the volume of the recovery chamber 32B is expanded, and the volume of the supply chamber 32A is reduced accordingly, and fresh dialysate is transported from the supply chamber 32A to the dialyzer 2 via the dialysate supply passage 4A.

[0062] When the volumes of the recovery chamber 31B of the first dialysate chamber 31 and the supply chamber 32A of the second dialysate chamber 32 reach zero, the open and closed states of the supply valves V1, V2, the drain valves V7, V8, the supply valves V3, V4, and the recovery valves V5, V6 of the first and second dialysate chambers 31, 32 are switched.

[0063] Thus, in the first dialysate chamber 31, fresh dialysate is supplied from the supply chamber 31A to the dialyzer 2, and the used dialysate is recovered in the recovery chamber 31B. On the other hand, in the second dialysate chamber 32, fresh dialysate is supplied to the supply chamber 32A, and the used dialysate is discharged from the recovery chamber 32B.

[0064] Then, by alternately repeating the above-mentioned operations, fresh dialysate is continuously supplied to the dialyzer 2 through the dialysate circuit 4 , and used dialysate is recovered, so that hemodialysis is performed between the dialyzer 2 and the blood circulating in the blood circuit 3 .

[0065] In addition, when the dehydration operation to remove excess water from the patient's blood is performed during dialysis treatment, the dehydration pump 56 provided in the above-mentioned dehydration passage 55 is operated, so that a portion of the used dialysate flowing in the dialysate recovery passage 4B is discharged to the drainage passage 4D via the dehydration passage 55, thereby removing excess water from the blood through the pressure difference generated inside the dialyzer 2.

[0066] Next, use Figures 3 to 6 The priming operation using the dialysis apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described. Here, the operation of filling the dialysate flow path 12b and the blood flow path 12a of the dialyzer 2 with dialysate will be described, and details of the operation of filling the venous line 3A and the arterial line 3B with dialysate will be omitted.

[0067] First, an empty dialyzer 2 and a blood circuit 3 are connected to the dialysis apparatus 1. At this time, the dialyzer 2 is installed with the venous head 13 facing upward, as in the case of dialysis treatment. The ends of the arterial pathway 3B and the venous pathway 3A of the blood circuit 3 are connected to form a closed circuit that is not open to the outside atmosphere.

[0068] When the control unit is operated to start the priming operation from this state, Figure 3 As shown, first, an operation of filling the dialysate flow path 12b of the dialyzer 2 with the dialysate is performed.

[0069] Specifically, similar to dialysis treatment, the infusion pump 53 is operated to circulate the dialysate in the dialysate circuit 4, so that fresh dialysate flows from the dialysate supply passage 4A into the dialyzer 2, and the dialysate flow path 12b outside the hollow fiber 12 in the dialyzer 2 is filled with the dialysate.

[0070] Here, in this embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the dialyzer 2 is pre-flushed in an upright state with the venous side head 13 located at the top. Figure 3 In the actions shown, Figure 2 As shown in (a), the dialysate flows from the dialysate supply passage 4A connected to the connection port 11 a at the upper portion of the housing 11 into the dialysate flow path 12 b of the dialyzer 2 .

[0071] However, since the dialysate flows downward from the connection port 11a, the dialysate cannot reach above the connection port 11a and is discharged from the connection port 11b, so that bubbles B remain above the dialysate flow.

[0072] then, Figure 4 The operation is shown in which the dialysate is reversely filtered in the hollow fibers 12 of the dialyzer 2 by the pressurizing unit and flows from the dialysate flow path 12b into the blood flow path 12a.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the pressurizing unit is composed of the infusion pump 53 provided in the dialysate recovery passage 4B, the second bypass passage 59 , and the thirteenth on-off valve V13 .

[0074] The control unit from Figure 3 In the illustrated state, the ninth on-off valve V9 of the dialysate supply passage 4A is closed, and the twelfth on-off valve V12 of the first bypass passage 58 and the thirteenth on-off valve V13 of the second bypass passage 59 are opened.

[0075] Thus, for example, fresh dialysate discharged from the supply chamber 32A of the second dialysate chamber 32 flows through the dialysate supply passage 4A and then flows into the first bypass passage 58 .

[0076] On the other hand, the control unit operates the infusion pump 53 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B. Since the second bypass passage 59 is connected to the upstream side of the infusion pump 53, the infusion pump 53 supplies water supplied through the second bypass passage 59 to the recovery chamber 32B of the second dialysate chamber 32.

[0077] As a result, the flow of dialysate toward the recovery chamber 32B stagnates in the upstream portion of the dialysate recovery passage 4B that is upstream of the connection position of the second bypass passage 59, and the dialysate flowing in the first bypass passage 58 flows back toward the dialyzer 2 from the connection portion of the dialysate recovery passage 4B with the first bypass passage 58.

[0078] In this way, the dialysate after backflow in the dialysate recovery path 4B passes through the tenth on-off valve V10 of the above-mentioned dialysate recovery path 4B and flows into the dialysate flow path 12b of the dialyzer 2. The dialysate flow path 12b inside the dialyzer 2 is pressurized and becomes a positive pressure compared to the blood flow path 12a, thereby generating a pressure difference between the dialysate flow path 12b and the blood flow path 12a.

[0079] As a result, reverse filtration occurs in the hollow fibers 12, and the dialysate flows from the dialysate flow channel 12b into the blood flow channel 12a. This state continues for a predetermined time, whereby the blood flow channel 12a is filled with the dialysate.

[0080] Here, the blood circuit 3 forms a closed loop and the blood pump 25 is stopped. Therefore, although the dialysate flowing into the blood flow path 12a flows into a portion of the venous channel 3A or the arterial channel 3B, the flow beyond this portion is blocked, and the pressure in the blood circuit 3 also rises due to the inflowing dialysate.

[0081] Figure 2 (b) shows Figure 4 In the illustrated state of the dialyzer 2 during operation, priming is performed in an upright state with the venous head 13 positioned upward.

[0082] After the dialysate flows in from the connection port 11b on the arterial-side head 14 located below, it is reversely filtered from the dialysate flow path 12b and flows into the blood flow path 12a. However, since the hollow fiber 12 does not allow bubbles to pass through, bubbles B remain between it and the venous-side head 13 at a position above the connection port 11a.

[0083] Figure 5 The diagram shows an operation of reducing the pressure of the dialysate circuit 4 by the pressure reducing unit and generating a pressure difference between the blood circuit 3 and the dialysate circuit 4 .

[0084] In the present embodiment, the decompression unit is composed of a degassing tank 52 provided in the dialysate recovery passage 4B, a degassing passage 54 connected to the degassing tank 52 , and a degassing valve V11 .

[0085] The control unit Figure 4 In the illustrated operation, the pressure of the blood circuit 3 is measured by the pressure sensors 26a, 28a provided in the drip chambers 26, 28 of the arterial passage 3B or the venous passage 3A of the blood circuit 3. When the pressure of the blood circuit 3 reaches a predetermined pressure, the tenth on-off valve V10 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B is closed, and the thirteenth on-off valve V13 of the second bypass passage 59 is closed.

[0086] Thus, the dialysate circuit 4 forms a closed circuit that is not open to the outside atmosphere and is composed of the dialysate supply passage 4A, the first bypass passage 58 , and the dialysate recovery passage 4B.

[0087] In this state, the control unit opens the degassing valve V11 serving as the decompression unit and stops the infusion pump 53 of the dialysate recovery path 4B.

[0088] So, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 During the operation, the air discharged from the dialysate flow path 12b of the dialyzer 2 flows through the dialysate recovery path 4B together with the dialysate and is recovered in the degassing tank 52. The bubbles are discharged from the drainage path 4D via the degassing path 54.

[0089] The dialysate circuit 4 forms a closed circuit comprising the dialysate supply passage 4A, the first bypass passage 58 and the dialysate recovery passage 4B. Therefore, by exhausting air from the degassing passage 54 , the volume of the closed circuit decreases, and the pressure of the dialysate circuit 4 is reduced.

[0090] On the other hand, the dialyzer 2 and the blood circuit 3 also form a closed circuit. Figure 4 As a result of the action shown, they become positive pressure. Figure 5During the operation, the tenth on-off valve V10 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B is closed to maintain the positive pressure.

[0091] Right now, Figure 5 As a result of the operation, the pressure of the dialysate flowing in the dialysate circuit 4 is lower than the pressure of the dialysate flowing in the blood circuit 3, and a pressure difference is generated therebetween.

[0092] Figure 6 The following operation is shown: due to the pressure difference between the blood circuit 3 and the dialysate circuit 4, the dialysate in the blood flow path 12a is positively filtered by the hollow fiber 12, and the dialysate flowing into the dialysate flow path 12b causes the bubbles remaining in the upper part to be discharged to the above-mentioned dialysate supply path 4A.

[0093] The control unit measures the pressure of the dialysate circuit 4 using the hydraulic pressure sensor 47 of the dialysate supply path 4A. When the pressure drops to a predetermined level, the control unit opens the ninth on-off valve V9 of the dialysate supply path 4A. The trigger for opening the ninth on-off valve V9 is not limited to the pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor 47; the passage of a predetermined time period may also be the trigger.

[0094] When the ninth on-off valve V9 is opened, the blood circuit 3 and the dialysate circuit 4 communicate with each other via the dialysate supply path 4A. Due to the pressure difference between them, the dialysate in the dialyzer 2 at a positive pressure is discharged toward the dialysate supply path 4A.

[0095] Figure 2 (c) indicates Figure 6 The state of the dialyzer 2 in the operation shown is in the upright state with the venous side head 13 positioned upward. Figure 6 In the illustrated operation, the dialysate is positively filtered from the blood flow path 12a to the dialysate flow path 12b. Dialysate also flows into the dialysate flow path 12b at the upper portion of the dialyzer 2. Air bubbles B remaining in the upper portion are replaced with the dialysate, pushed out from the upper portion, and discharged from the upper connection port 11a into the dialysate supply path 4A. Furthermore, air bubbles B are discharged from the dialysate supply path 4A via the first bypass path 58 described above into the dialysate recovery path 4B.

[0096] This operation is performed until a predetermined time has passed, but detection by a sensor or the like may also be a trigger. Then, the control unit closes the ninth on-off valve V9 and activates the infusion pump 53 , thereby collecting the bubbles B into the degassing tank 52 .

[0097] In this way, Figure 6 In the illustrated operation, by removing air bubbles from the dialysate flow path 12b of the dialyzer 2, the blood flow path 12a and the dialysate flow path 12b are completely filled with the dialysate, and the priming of the dialyzer 2 is completed.

[0098] Then, the blood circuit 3 can be filled with the priming liquid using a conventionally known method. For example, an infusion bag containing a priming liquid such as dialysate or saline solution can be connected to the blood circuit 3. In this state, the blood pump 25 is operated to fill the blood circuit 3 with the priming liquid.

[0099] As described above, according to the dialysis device 1 of this embodiment, when performing the priming operation of the dialyzer 2 and the blood circuit 3, the bubbles B can be removed even when the dialyzer 2 is in an upright state with the venous side head 13 located upward, so there is no need to turn the dialyzer 2 upside down, which can reduce the burden on the operator.

[0100] Figure 7 The priming operation of the dialysis device 1 according to the second embodiment is shown, which corresponds to the priming operation of the first embodiment. Figure 4 homework.

[0101] In the first embodiment, when the dialyzate is reversely filtered from the dialyzate flow path 12b to the blood flow path 12a in the dialyzer 2, the tenth on-off valve V10 of the dialysate recovery path 4B is opened to allow the dialysate to flow in from the connection port 11b provided below the dialyzer 2.

[0102] In contrast, in the second embodiment, the dialysate is allowed to flow in from the upper connection port 11 a to which the dialysate supply passage 4A is connected.

[0103] Specifically, in Figure 3 In the state of the dialysate filling the dialysate flow path 12b of the dialyzer 2, the control unit is as follows Figure 7 As shown, the tenth on-off valve V10 of the dialysate recovery passage 4B and the twelfth on-off valve V12 of the first bypass passage 58 are closed.

[0104] Then, for example, fresh dialysate discharged from the supply chamber 32A of the second dialysate chamber 32 flows through the dialysate supply passage 4A and into the dialysate flow path 12b of the dialyzer 2. At this time, the twelfth on-off valve V12 of the first bypass passage 58 may be opened instead of being closed.

[0105] Here, since the dialyzer 2 is in an upright position with the venous side head 13 located above, the dialysate flows in from the connection port 11a located above, is reversely filtered from the dialysate flow path 12b, and flows into the blood flow path 12a. However, since the hollow fiber 12 does not allow bubbles to pass through, as a result, bubbles B remain between it and the venous side head 13 at a position above the connection port 11a.

[0106] And, in Figure 7 After the action of Figure 5 、 Figure 6The action of can remove bubbles from the dialyzer 2 without changing the posture of the dialyzer 2.

[0107] In the first and second embodiments, as the decompression means for decompressing the dialysate circuit 4, the degassing valve V11 provided in the degassing tank 52 and the degassing passage 54 is used. Figure 5 In the illustrated operation, air is exhausted from the degassing tank 52 , thereby depressurizing the dialysate circuit 4 .

[0108] On the other hand, the water removal passage 55 and the water removal pump 56 may be used as the pressure reducing means. Figure 5 In the illustrated operation, instead of opening the deaeration valve V11 to discharge air, the water removal pump 56 may be operated to allow the dialysate in the dialysate recovery passage 4B to flow through the drainage passage 4D.

[0109] As a result, the closed circuit composed of the dialysate supply passage 4A, the first bypass passage 58 , and the dialysate recovery passage 4B is depressurized, and a pressure difference can be generated between the blood circuit 3 and the dialysate circuit 4 .

[0110] In the first and second embodiments, the infusion pump 53 of the dialysate recovery path 4B and the second bypass path 59 are used as the pressurizing means for pressurizing the dialysate circuit 4 .

[0111] On the other hand, the second bypass passage 59 may be omitted, and the water removal pump 56 provided in the water removal passage 55 may be used as the pressurizing means.

[0112] In this case, Figure 4 、 Figure 7 In the illustrated operation, the infusion pump 53 is stopped and the dewatering pump 56 is operated in the opposite direction to that in the dewatering operation.

[0113] Then, dialysate corresponding to the discharge amount of the water removal pump 56 is discharged from the supply chamber 32A of the second dialysate chamber 32. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the dialysate in the dialysate supply passage 4A flows back through the first bypass passage 58 and a portion of the dialysate recovery passage 4B and flows into the dialyzer 2, or flows through the dialysate supply passage 4A and flows into the dialyzer 2, performing reverse filtration from the dialysate flow path 12b to the blood flow path 12a.

[0114] At this time, it is preferred that the discharge volume caused by the above-mentioned water removal pump 56 is greater than the volume of the passage from the connection position of the dialysate recovery passage 4B with the first bypass passage 58 to the connection port 11b, or greater than the volume of the passage from the connection position of the dialysate supply passage 4A with the first bypass passage 58 to the connection port 11a.

[0115] Furthermore, the above embodiments describe a so-called personal dialysis device that prepares the dialysis fluid in the first and second dialysis fluid chambers 31 and 32 . However, the device can also be applied to a so-called dialysis monitoring device that uses pre-prepared dialysis fluid.

[0116] Furthermore, the above embodiments describe a dialysis apparatus that does not include a fluid replacement path connecting the dialysate supply path 4A and the venous path 3A or the arterial path 3B. However, the above embodiments can also be applied to an apparatus that includes a fluid replacement circuit.

[0117] Description of Reference Numerals

[0118] 1 dialysis device 2 dialyzer

[0119] 3 Blood Circuit 3A Venous Access

[0120] 3B arterial access 4 dialysate circulation

[0121] 4A dialysate supply channel 4B dialysate recovery channel

[0122] 11 shell 12 hollow fiber (blood purification membrane)

[0123] 13 venous side head 14 arterial side head

[0124] 53 infusion pump 58 first bypass passage

[0125] 52 Degassing tank (decompression unit) 54 Degassing passage (decompression unit)

[0126] V9 ninth on-off valve (on-off valve for dialysate supply)

[0127] V10 tenth on-off valve (dialysis fluid discharge on-off valve)

[0128] B bubbles

Claims

1. A dialysis device comprising: a dialyzer having an interior divided by a blood purification membrane into a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path; a blood circuit having a venous access and an arterial access connected to the blood flow path of the dialyzer; and a dialysate circuit having a dialysate supply path and a dialysate recovery path connected to the dialysate flow path of the dialyzer, characterized in that: The dialysate system comprises a bypass passage, a dialysate supply on-off valve, a dialysate discharge on-off valve, a pressurizing unit, a depressurizing unit, and a control unit. The bypass passage connects the dialysate supply passage with the dialysate recovery passage. The dialysate supply on-off valve is provided between a location in the dialysate supply passage where it is connected to the bypass passage and the dialyzer. The dialysate discharge on-off valve is provided between a location in the dialysate recovery passage where it is connected to the bypass passage and the dialyzer. The pressurizing unit pressurizes the dialysate circuit. The depressurizing unit depressurizes the dialysate circuit. The control unit controls the bypass passage, the dialysate supply on-off valve, the dialysate discharge on-off valve, the pressurizing unit, and the depressurizing unit. During the priming operation of filling the dialyzer with the priming solution, the dialyzer is kept in a state where the venous access is connected upward, and the blood circuit is made into a closed circuit. The control unit opens either the dialysate supply on-off valve or the dialysate discharge on-off valve to allow the priming fluid to flow into the dialyzer from the dialysate supply passage or the dialysate recovery passage, and the pressurizing unit allows the priming fluid to be reverse-filtered in the blood purification membrane and flow from the dialysate flow path into the blood flow path. When the blood circuit is pressurized by the priming fluid, the control unit closes the open on-off valve, making the dialysate circuit a closed circuit via the bypass passage, and decompresses the dialysate circuit via the decompression unit, thereby generating a pressure difference between the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit. Furthermore, the control unit opens the dialysate supply on-off valve, and through the pressure difference between the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit, the priming fluid in the blood flow path is positively filtered in the blood purification membrane and flows into the dialysate flow path, and is discharged to the above-mentioned dialysate supply path together with the bubbles remaining in the upper part of the dialysate flow path.

2. The dialysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The decompression unit includes a degassing tank, a degassing passage, and a degassing passage opening and closing valve. The degassing tank is provided in the dialysate recovery passage to remove air. The degassing passage is connected to the degassing tank. The degassing passage opening and closing valve opens and closes the degassing passage. When the dialysate circuit is depressurized by the decompression unit, the control unit opens the degassing passage opening and closing valve. The dialysate circuit is depressurized by discharging the air in the degassing tank through the degassing passage.

3. The dialysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The decompression unit includes a water removal passage and a water removal pump. The water removal passage is connected to the dialysate recovery passage. The water removal pump is provided in the water removal passage. When the dialysate circuit is depressurized by the decompression unit, the control unit activates the water removal pump. The dialysate circuit is depressurized by discharging the priming fluid flowing through the dialysate recovery passage from the water removal passage.

4. The dialysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The dialysate circuit includes a dialysate cavity, which is divided into a supply chamber and a recovery chamber by a diaphragm. The supply chamber is connected to the dialysate supply passage, and the recovery chamber is connected to the dialysate recovery passage. The pressurizing unit includes an infusion pump and a second bypass passage. The infusion pump is provided in the dialysate recovery passage. The second bypass passage is connected to the upstream side of the infusion pump to allow the priming solution to flow in. When the priming liquid is reversely filtered in the blood purification membrane by the pressurizing unit, the control unit operates the infusion pump to supply the priming liquid from the second bypass passage to the recovery chamber. Along with this, the priming fluid discharged from the supply chamber to the dialysate supply channel flows from the dialysate supply channel or the dialysate recovery channel into the dialyzer, thereby being reversely filtered in the blood purification membrane.

5. The dialysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that The pressurizing unit includes a water removal passage and a water removal pump. The water removal passage is connected to the dialysate recovery passage. The water removal pump is provided in the water removal passage. When the priming liquid is reversely filtered through the blood purification membrane by the pressurizing unit, the control unit operates the dewatering pump to flow the priming liquid from the dewatering passage into the dialysate recovery passage, thereby reversely filtering the priming liquid through the blood purification membrane.

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