Dialysis machine

Abstract

Dialysis machine with a dialyzer (D) and with a water inlet system connected to the dialyzer (D) and an external water supply for supplying the dialyzer (D) with fresh dialyze fluid, wherein the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit (10) for recirculating a fluid required for the production of the dialyze fluid, wherein an air separator (50) is arranged in the recirculation circuit (10), from which a line (52) for air separation leads, characterized in that a line for supplying a concentrate runs to the air separator (50), which extends between a dosing system and the air separator (50).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dialysis machine with a dialysate circuit comprising a dialyzer and a water inlet system connected to the dialyzer for supplying the dialyzer with fresh dialysate, as well as a line connected to the dialyzer for used dialysate, wherein the water inlet system comprises a container, hereinafter also referred to as the water inlet container, for a liquid, in particular for RO water, and a recirculation circuit, and wherein the dialysis machine comprises a heat exchanger which is connected on the one hand to the line for used dialysate and on the other hand to the water inlet system, so that heat is transferred from the used dialysate to the liquid in the water inlet system.

[0002] In dialysis devices known from the prior art, the dialyzing fluid is produced, for example, by adding one or more concentrates to fresh RO water, i.e., water produced by reverse osmosis. This mixture is supplied to the dialyzer as needed. Dialysis devices known from, for example, US 2014 / 0014580A1, US 2005 / 0045540A1, DE 19929327A1, or DE 10034368C1.

[0003] The RO water used to produce the dialysis fluid is located in a water inlet tank, which in known devices is part of the recirculation circuit.

[0004] In order to utilize the heat of the used dialysis fluid, it is also known to use a heat exchanger through which the used dialysis fluid flows on one side and RO water flows on the other side, which is heated in this way.

[0005] Since used dialysis fluid could enter the RO water supply system of the dialysis center through a leak in the heat exchanger, and thus the RO water supply system, countermeasures can be implemented to prevent such contamination of the RO water. One such countermeasure is a sensor that detects any such transfer of used dialysis fluid.

[0006] The use of a system to prevent contamination or a sensor and the associated monitoring system is advantageous insofar as a leak in the heat exchanger can be reliably detected, but it comes with the disadvantage of increased costs.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of further developing a dialysis device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way as to ensure in a simple manner that RO water of a central supply system is not contaminated.

[0008] This problem is solved by a dialysis machine with the features of claim 1. According to this claim, the vessel has a device for physically separating the external water supply and the downstream sections of the water inlet system, preferably a free-fall section for incoming fluid from the water supply, and the heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the water inlet vessel. The term "downstream" is to be understood based on the flow direction of the fluid, in particular the RO water, during the production of the dialysis fluid. Due to the physical separation of the water flow within the water inlet vessel and the arrangement of the heat exchanger downstream of the water inlet vessel and thus this physical barrier, no contamination of the external water supply can occur, even in the event of a leak. Therefore, contamination of the supply line of the clinic or the dialysis system is prevented.The water supply system of a dialysis center, from which the inlet tank is fed with RO water, is excluded from contact with used dialysis fluid. Contamination of the supply line, for example by a disinfectant used during cleaning of the dialysis machine, is therefore also excluded.

[0009] In one embodiment, no sensor is provided to check whether used dialysis fluid has passed from the heat exchanger to the fluid in the water inlet system, which is preferably RO water. The sensor and the associated evaluation unit are therefore unnecessary.

[0010] The term "water inlet tank" encompasses any tank suitable for holding the liquid required to produce the finished dialysis fluid, in particular RO water, wherein the tank has a device for physically separating the external water supply and the downstream sections of the water inlet system. It may be a rigid-walled or flexible-walled tank.

[0011] The water inlet tank preferably provides a supply of the fluid required for the production of the dialysis fluid, such as RO water. The water inlet tank preferably has an interface through which RO water can be introduced from the external water supply into the water inlet tank. The external water supply could, for example, be a central supply system of a dialysis clinic in which RO water is produced and to which several dialysis machines can be connected. The interface could, for example, be a connection for a water supply line of the supply system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the water inlet tank comprises a free-fall section as a physical barrier, wherein liquid from the water supply falls freely from a higher starting level into a lower basin (e.g., flows or drips) overcoming a height difference. The basin can be connected to the downstream sections of the water inlet system, for example by means of a siphon pipe, such that the liquid flows into the downstream sections of the water inlet system after exceeding a certain liquid level in the basin.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water inlet system comprises a recirculation circuit and a line between the water inlet tank and the recirculation circuit. The liquid, in particular RO water, flows from the tank into the recirculation circuit through this line. The heat exchanger is preferably located in this line and is subjected to flow of the used dialysis fluid on one side and RO water or the like on the other.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit and the water inlet tank does not form part of the recirculation circuit. Preferably, the liquid used to produce the dialysis fluid, preferably the RO water, thus flows from the water inlet tank into the heat exchanger, where it is heated, and then into the recirculation circuit. This increases the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0015] Furthermore, the water inlet system may include a recirculation circuit, and the dialysis machine may have a balance chamber system connected to this recirculation circuit. In this case, the dialysis fluid produced in the water inlet system passes (directly or indirectly) from the recirculation circuit or from the concentrate addition points for dialysis fluid production into the balance chamber system of the dialysis machine.

[0016] Furthermore, the water inlet system may include an air separator. This separator's function is to remove air from the balance chamber system and the dialyzer of the dialysis machine. Preferably, the air separator is arranged to remove air from the RO water circulating in the recirculation loop.

[0017] Preferably, the air separator is located in the recirculation circuit of the water inlet system.

[0018] It is conceivable that an air separation line runs between the air separator and the water inlet tank, preferably containing a valve. The valve allows the line to be opened and closed, thus enabling controlled removal of air from the air separator.

[0019] It is possible to open and close this valve cyclically by activating a control or regulation unit.

[0020] It is possible that the control or regulating unit is designed in such a way that the valve opens and / or closes at a specific time and / or for a specific period of time.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the water inlet system is provided with a dosing system by means of which one or more concentrates can be added. Thus, one or more concentrates required for the production of the finished dialysis fluid can be added to the supplied water, in particular RO water. A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the water inlet system having a recirculation circuit, and the concentrate(s) from the concentrate container(s) can be fed to the RO water flowing out of the recirculation circuit via one or more lines.

[0022] It is conceivable that the dosing system is connected to the air separator, so that the concentrate(s) are introduced into the air separator. It is possible that the dosing system comprises one or more lines, at least one of which leads into a lower section of the air separator.

[0023] The air separator can have a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is arranged below the second section and wherein the metering system is connected to the lower section and the said line is connected to the upper section of the air separator.

[0024] It is preferred that the lower section of the air separator is connected to the balance chamber system of the device. From there, the finished dialysis fluid enters the balance chamber system of the device.

[0025] The air separator can have a partition plate with one or more openings that separates the first from the second section of the air separator. The partition plate prevents the added concentrate(s) from entering the upper part of the air separator. The upper part of the air separator is part of the recirculation circuit. The lower part of the air separator is not part of the recirculation circuit and serves as the addition point for the at least one concentrate and for mixing the concentrate with the RO water. This mixture then flows to the dialyzer or to the balancing system upstream of it. Therefore, the fluid in the recirculation circuit, in particular the RO water, remains concentrate-free.

[0026] Another function of the separating plate is to allow air that may originate from the concentrate pumps and is contained in the concentrate(s) (e.g., due to an empty concentrate canister) to rise through the holes in the separating plate and thus enter the recirculation circuit, where it is separated.

[0027] The water inlet system can include a recirculation circuit, with means provided such that the recirculation circuit is replenished from the water inlet reservoir whenever water is withdrawn from the recirculation circuit to the dialyzer or the balance chamber system. These means can be designed to determine the volume withdrawn from the recirculation circuit and replenish it with a corresponding volume from the water inlet reservoir. Alternatively, the means can be designed to restore, i.e., increase, the pressure in the recirculation circuit, which drops after RO water is withdrawn to prepare the dialyze solution, by refilling the circuit.A pressure drop in the recirculation circuit due to the withdrawal of finished dialysis fluid is thus compensated by replenishing the recirculation circuit with fluid from the water inlet tank, so that the pressure is restored.

[0028] The present invention further relates to a dialysis device with a dialyzer and with a water inlet system connected to the dialyzer and an external water supply for supplying the dialyzer with fresh dialyzer fluid, wherein the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit for recirculating a fluid required for the production of the dialyzer fluid, in particular RO water, wherein an air separator is arranged in the recirculation circuit, from which a line for air separation leads and to which a line for supplying a concentrate runs, extending between a dosing system and the air separator.

[0029] The air separator therefore not only has the function of separating air, but also serves to receive the concentrate(s) or to mix the concentrate(s) with the water flowing in the recirculation circuit, especially with RO water.

[0030] The dialysis device according to this aspect of the invention can be configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 15. For example, it is conceivable that the air separator has a partition plate having one or more bores, wherein the line for supplying concentrate is located below the partition plate and the line for removing air is located above the partition plate. Preferably, only the area above the partition plate is part of the recirculation circuit.

[0031] It should be noted here that the use of the terms "a / an" is not to be interpreted restrictively as meaning that exactly one of the elements in question is present. Rather, the terms also encompass the presence of two or more than two of the elements in question.

[0032] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0033] The single figure shows a schematic view of a hydraulic system of a dialysis machine according to the invention.

[0034] The figure shows a hydraulic system of a dialysis machine according to the invention. The hydraulic system comprises the water inlet tank or container 20, which contains RO water.

[0035] Container 20 is filled with RO water via watercourse 22, which can be assigned, for example, to a central supply system for RO water of a dialysis center.

[0036] Reference numeral 10 designates a recirculation and degassing circuit in which a solution or liquid, in particular RO water, used to produce the finished dialysis fluid, circulates by means of pump P1. In addition to other components, a pressure relief valve V2 and the primary air separator 50 are arranged in the recirculation circuit 10. No concentrate is present in the recirculation circuit. This is added downstream of the recirculation circuit.

[0037] In the recirculation circuit, the RO water is degassed and heated.

[0038] As can be seen from the figure, a line 23 runs between the container 20 and the recirculation circuit 10. The fluid in the container 10, in particular RO water, is fed to the recirculation circuit 10 via this line 23.

[0039] As further shown in the figure, a line 52 runs from the primary air separator 50 to the water inlet tank 20. This line can be closed by a valve V1 and is opened as needed. This line 52 serves to remove air from the primary air separator via the valve V1 into the tank 20. The separation of air ensures that the fluid or RO water in the recirculation circuit is free of air.

[0040] Air is released during the degassing of the RO water, for example, by creating a vacuum using the degassing pump P1 in conjunction with the degassing throttle 11, which leads to the degassing of the RO water. Another source of air is if one of the concentrate containers K1 or K2 is empty. Alternatively or additionally, the water can be degassed by heating, for example.

[0041] Lines 30 and 32 are designated as lines for used dialysis fluid, i.e., lines connected to the dialyzer through which the used dialysis fluid flows from the dialyzer. The used dialysis fluid travels via line 32 to the heat exchanger 40 and from there via line 30 to a drain 60.

[0042] Reference numeral B designates the balancing system, which ensures that the volume of dialysate supplied to the dialyzer is the same as the volume of used dialysate discharged from the dialyzer. Reference numeral D designates the dialyzer, which has a plurality of hollow fiber membranes that are surrounded or permeated by dialysate on one side and by blood on the other. As can be seen in the figure, the dialyzer D is connected to the balancing system B at both the inlet and outlet sides. Reference numeral P4 designates the dialysate pump, which delivers the dialysate. In the embodiment shown here, this pump is located downstream of the dialyzer D.

[0043] In simplified terms, reference numerals K1 and K2 denote concentrate containers, for example, for a basic and an acidic concentrate. These containers are connected via lines 54 and 56 to the lower section and the bottom, respectively, of the primary air separator 50. The concentrates are pumped from the concentrate containers K1 and K2 through lines 54 and 56 by means of pumps P2 and P3. Preferably, reference numerals K1 and K2 are purge chambers for concentrate suction rods.

[0044] The circulation in the recirculation loop 10 is represented by the closed arrow in the middle of the recirculation loop.

[0045] As can be seen from the figure, the heat exchanger 40 is located downstream of the water inlet tank 20, specifically between the water inlet tank 20 and the recirculation circuit 10.

[0046] The water inlet tank 20 features a free-fall section in which RO water, flowing from the central water supply via the water inlet section 22 into the tank 20, falls freely through the air from a higher starting level into a lower basin. The basin is connected to the line 23 by means of a siphon pipe. Due to this design, once the liquid level in the basin exceeds a certain threshold, the liquid flows into the line 23. Of course, other devices for adjusting the liquid level in the basin or for limiting the flow into the line 23 are also conceivable.

[0047] In contrast to arrangements known from the prior art, in which the heat exchanger is placed upstream of the water inlet tank, according to the invention there is no need to check the heat exchanger 40 to see if there is a leakage, which would allow the dialysis fluid used from line 32 to enter the water inlet line 22 and thus the central supply unit of the dialysis center.

[0048] In the operation of the illustrated arrangement, RO water is supplied to the recirculation circuit via line 23, and concentrates are supplied to the lower part of the primary air separator 50 via lines 54 and 56. These components are mixed to form a finished dialysis fluid by means of pumping by pump P1.

[0049] When the finished dialysis fluid is needed for treatment, it flows from the lower part of the primary air separator 50 via line 58 into the balance chamber system B. A correspondingly large volume of RO water flows into the recirculation circuit 10 via line 23.

[0050] As can be seen from the figure, the recirculation of the liquid in the recirculation circuit 10 does not take place via the water inlet chamber 20, since this is located upstream of the recirculation circuit 10 and does not form part of it. Instead, the recirculation takes place downstream of the heat exchanger 40 via a pressure relief valve V2 in a separate water inlet circuit 10.

[0051] As explained above, the connection between the primary air separator 50 in the separate water inlet circuit 10 and the water inlet chamber 20 is made via a valve V1. The resulting air separation can be carried out cyclically (at a specific time) via the valve, possibly with a specific opening time, into the water inlet chamber 20.

[0052] The separate water inlet circuit, also referred to above as recirculation circuit 10, supplies the balance chamber B of the device with tempered, mixed dialysis fluid after the addition of the concentrate(s).

[0053] If, as described, solution is taken from the recirculation circuit 10, i.e., led to the balance chamber system B, the amount taken is replenished from the water inlet chamber 20 and preheated via the heat exchanger 40 using the used dialysis fluid.

[0054] As further shown in the figure, air separation from the primary air separator 50 takes place in its upper section, which, unlike the lower section, is connected to or forms part of the recirculation circuit. The supply of concentrates and the discharge of the finished dialysis fluid via lines 54, 56, and 58 occur from a lower section of the primary air separator.

[0055] These two sections of the primary air separator 50 are connected to each other by means of a separating plate with openings for air separation (in case of a fault when the canister is empty).

[0056] By arranging the heat exchanger 40 downstream of the water inlet tank 20 with a free-fall section or other device for the physical separation of the downstream hydraulic system of the dialysis machine from the supply line 22, the comparatively expensive monitoring of leaks in the heat exchanger 40 can be dispensed with, while simultaneously guaranteeing the effectiveness of the heat exchanger. In the arrangement shown here, the heat exchanger serves to heat the RO water flowing from the water inlet chamber 20 to the circuit 10. For this purpose, the heat exchanger 40 can have a primary side and a secondary side, with the primary side being traversed by the used dialysis fluid and the secondary side by the RO water.

Claims

[1] Dialysis machine with a dialyzer (D) and with a water inlet system connected to the dialyzer (D) and an external water supply for supplying the dialyzer (D) with fresh dialysis fluid, wherein the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit (10) for recirculating a fluid required to produce the dialysis fluid, wherein an air separator (50) is arranged in the recirculation circuit (10), from which a line (52) for air separation leads, characterized by that a line for supplying a concentrate runs to the air separator (50), which extends between a dosing system and the air separator (50). [2] Dialysis machine according to claim 1, characterized bythat the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit (10) and a line (23) between the tank (20) and the recirculation circuit (10) and that the heat exchanger (40) is located in this line (23) itself. [3] Dialysis machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit (10) and that the container (20) does not form part of the recirculation circuit (10). [4] Dialysis machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water inlet system has a recirculation circuit (10) and that the dialysis machine has a balancing chamber system (B) which is connected to the recirculation circuit (10) so that the dialysis fluid flows from the recirculation circuit (10) to the balancing chamber system (B). [5] Dialysis machine according to claim 1, characterized bythat a line (52) for air separation runs between the air separator (50) and the container (20). [6] Dialysis machine according to claim 5, characterized by that the dialysis machine has a control or regulating unit which is designed such that it cyclically opens and closes a valve (V1). [7] Dialysis machine according to claim 6, characterized by that the control or regulating unit is designed such that it opens and / or closes the valve (V1) at a specific time and / or for a specific period of time. [8] Dialysis machine according to claim 1, characterized by that the air separator (50) has a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is arranged below the second section and wherein the dosing system is connected to the lower section and said line (52) for air separation is connected to the upper section of the air separator (50). [9] Dialysis machine according to claim 8, characterized by that the lower section of the air separator (50) is connected to the balance chamber system (B) of the dialysis machine and / or that the upper section of the air separator (50) forms a component of the recirculation circuit (10). [10] Dialysis machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the air separator (50) has a partition plate with one or more openings which separates the first from the second section of the air separator (50).

Images