Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To correctly estimate a priming time of a blood purification device.SOLUTION: An information processing device for estimating a priming time of a blood purification device to purify blood of a patient includes: an estimation section for acquiring identification data set in response to the types of a blood purifier and an extracorporeal circulation circuit mounted on the blood purification device, and estimating a residual time as an initial display time to be required in priming of the blood purification device based on the identification data; and a control section for generating display data to display the priming time of the blood purification device based on the residual time as the initial display time. The estimation section is arranged in a main body of the blood purification device so as to correct the residual time as the initial display time based on at least air bubble data to be received from an air bubble detector for detecting air bubbles inside the extracorporeal circulation circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for estimating a priming time of a blood purification device. [Background technology]

[0002] Dialysis treatment using a dialyzer with hollow fiber membranes has been known as a conventional blood purification treatment. In this dialysis treatment, blood taken from a patient is circulated extracorporeally through a blood circuit, purified using a dialyzer connected to the blood circuit, and the purified blood is returned to the patient's body.

[0003] Generally, prior to dialysis treatment, it is necessary to remove dirt or air bubbles from the blood circuit and the blood side of the dialyzer. For this reason, a priming process is performed prior to dialysis treatment by filling the blood circuit with a priming solution such as dialysate or saline and circulating it to clean and remove air bubbles from the blood circuit and the blood side of the dialyzer. The time required for such priming (hereinafter also referred to as priming time) is displayed on the blood purification device, so that the operator of the blood purification device (a medical professional such as a doctor or nurse) can grasp the time.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a blood purification device that aims to improve the efficiency of priming and shorten the priming time. In particular, the blood purification device of Patent Document 1 determines whether the blood purification means is of the wet type or the dry type, and performs liquid filling, which is priming corresponding to the type of blood purification means.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an extracorporeal circulation device for accurately determining the completion of priming. In particular, in the extracorporeal circulation device of Patent Document 2, the completion of priming is not determined by an operator, but is determined to be complete when the time during the priming operation during which no air bubbles are detected reaches or exceeds a predetermined time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-36536 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2013 / 187055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the time until priming completion displayed on the blood purification device is a fixed value assuming a standard blood circuit and dialyzer. Therefore, if the completion of priming is determined based on the amount of bubbles in the blood circuit, and if the type and condition of the blood circuit and dialyzer cause bubbles to escape differently than normal, there may be a discrepancy between the displayed time and the actual time until priming is completed. In other words, even if an operator of the blood purification device uses the displayed time at the start of priming as a guide and returns to work elsewhere, they may find that priming is not yet complete, resulting in a waiting period for work.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for more accurately estimating the priming time of a blood purification device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device that estimates the priming time of a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, the information processing device comprising: an estimation unit that acquires identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device, and estimates the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device as an initial display time based on the identification data; the estimation unit is provided in the main body of the blood purification device, and corrects the remaining time as an initial display time based at least on bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method for estimating the priming time of a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, the information processing method comprising the steps of: acquiring identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device; estimating the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device as an initial display time based on the identification data; generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time as the initial display time; and correcting the remaining time as the initial display time based at least on bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for estimating the priming time of a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, the program causing a computer to execute the following processes: acquiring identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device; estimating the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device as an initial display time based on the identification data; generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time as an initial display time; and correcting the remaining time as an initial display time based at least on bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for more accurately estimating the priming time of a blood purification device.

[0013] It should be noted that the above effects are merely examples for the sake of convenience of explanation, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to these. In addition to the above effects, the present disclosure can achieve any of the effects described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the blood purification device according to the first embodiment is in use. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the blood purification device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the internal piping of the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the extracorporeal circulation unit of the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a partial configuration diagram of a blood purification device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a functional block diagram of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram relating to estimation of a priming time in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of setting a trained estimation model in the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of evaluation of a trained estimation model set in the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is table data showing learning data for generating a trained estimation model according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a graph showing learning data for generating a trained estimation model according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12]3 is a display screen displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 3 is a display screen displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 3 is a display screen displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram relating to estimation of a priming time in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 3 is a display screen displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a blood purification device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood purification system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a blood purification apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the physical configuration of an information processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a blood purification apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a blood purification apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is table data stored in a memory according to the third embodiment. [Figure 24] 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the priming elapsed time and the amount of air bubbles in the circuit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram relating to estimation of a priming time in a blood purification apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 26] 13 is table data stored in a memory according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 27] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the priming elapsed time and the amount of air bubbles in the circuit according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram relating to estimation of a priming time in a blood purification apparatus according to a modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The information processing device and blood purification device having the same of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the content described below and can be implemented with any modifications within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the drawings used in the description of each embodiment are schematic illustrations of the information processing device and blood purification device having the same of the present disclosure. To facilitate understanding, some parts may be emphasized, enlarged, reduced, or omitted, and the scale and shape of each component may not be accurately represented. Furthermore, some numerical values used in each embodiment are merely examples and can be changed in various ways as necessary. The same reference symbols are used for common components in each drawing.

[0016] First Embodiment (Configuration of blood purification device) First, the configuration of a blood purification device having an information processing device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the usage state of a blood purification device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a blood purification device according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of the internal piping section of a blood purification device according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of the extracorporeal circulation section of a blood purification device according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a partial configuration diagram of a blood purification device according to this embodiment, showing in detail the section related to priming.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the blood purification device 1 is composed of a dialysis machine for performing dialysis treatment on patient H. Specifically, the blood purification device 1 has a main body 3 installed on a base unit 2, a display 4 connected to the top of the main body 3, and a blood purifier 5 installed to the side of the main body 3. The main body 3 of the blood purification device 1 also has an internal piping section 7 for circulating a dialysate between the information processing device 6 and the blood purifier 5, and an extracorporeal circulation section 8 for circulating the blood, which is a bodily fluid of patient H, outside the body. With this configuration, the blood purification device 1 can extract the blood of patient H from the body, remove unnecessary or toxic substances or water from the blood in the blood purifier 5, and return the purified blood to patient H.

[0018] The base unit 2 is composed of a plate-shaped base 2a connected to the bottom of the main body 3 and four casters 2b attached to the base 2a. This allows for easy movement of the blood purification apparatus 1. The number of casters 2b is not limited to four, and may be three or five or more as long as it allows the blood purification apparatus 1 to be moved.

[0019] The main body 3 is composed of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing. Inside and on the surface of the main body 3, various components and parts that make up the blood purification apparatus 1 are arranged. Examples of the components include pumps such as a duplex pump, a water removal pump, a degassing pump, a pressurizing pump, a stock solution pump, and a blood pump, as well as various detectors, which will be described later. Examples of the components include solenoid valves, filters, various sensors, a blood circuit, a dialysate circuit, and other parts, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the blood circuit is a consumable item located outside the blood purification apparatus 1, and therefore only the blood circuit corresponds to the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the blood purification device 1 includes a display 4, an information processing device 6, an internal piping unit 7, an extracorporeal circulation unit 8, a communication unit 9, and a reading unit 10, all electrically connected via control lines and data lines. This allows the various electrical components in the blood purification device 1 to transmit and receive signals, data, and information, and also enables various controls by the information processing device 6. In the following, data is generally assumed to consist of processed signals, such as numerical values, symbols, or characters. Information is generally assumed to be collected or processed data, such as data that can be used by the recipient for further consideration or for use by the recipient. However, data and information may be used in ways that do not conform to the above assumptions, depending on their content and context.

[0021] When starting treatment using the blood purification apparatus 1 and blood purifier 5, certain preparations are required before treatment. Specifically, the preparatory processes of priming, gas purging, and blood removal are required. Priming is a process of cleaning the blood circuit and the blood side of the blood purifier 5 that constitute the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, removing bubbles, and filling with a priming solution. Gas purging is a process of cleaning the dialysate side of the blood purifier 5, removing bubbles, and filling with a liquid. Blood removal is a process of extracting blood from patient H and replacing it with the priming solution filling the blood circuit and the blood side of the blood purifier 5. Since the information processing device 6 of this embodiment is characterized by estimating the remaining priming time, the following description will mainly focus on the details related to priming, and will omit descriptions of other preparatory processes and various processes in the treatment itself, which are similar to those known in the art, as well as the operations of the component devices and other components in these processes.

[0022] In this embodiment, a hemodialysis device is described as an example of the blood purification device 1, but the blood purification device 1 is not limited to this. For example, an acute blood purification device, a peritoneal dialysis device, an ultrafiltration device, or a hemofiltration device can also be an example of the blood purification device 1.

[0023] 〔display〕 1 and 2, the display 4 has an input unit 4a consisting of a touch panel input interface and an output unit 4b consisting of a general screen-type output interface. That is, the display 4 in this embodiment is a touch panel equipped with an input / output interface. Here, the input detection method by the touch panel may be any method, such as a capacitance method or a resistive film method. Furthermore, the operable area and position on the touch panel can be freely set by the administrator of the blood purification apparatus 1, etc. That is, the arrangement of the input unit 4a and output unit 4b on the display 4 can be set as appropriate.

[0024] The input interface may be separated from the display 4. In this case, the blood purification apparatus 1 may be provided with an input device such as a keyboard with physical key buttons, such as a numeric keypad or character input keys, and a mouse.

[0025] [Blood purifier] The blood purifier 5 has a blood inlet and a blood outlet as blood-side ports at both ends of its housing, and a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet as dialysate-side ports on the side of its housing. The blood inlet is connected to an arterial blood circuit L21 (described later), and the outlet is connected to a venous blood circuit L22 (described later). The dialysate inlet is connected to a main pipe L1 (described later), and the dialysate outlet is connected to a main pipe L2 (described later).

[0026] The blood purifier 5 contains a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (not shown), which constitute a blood purification membrane for purifying blood. A blood flow path through which the blood of patient H flows and a dialysate flow path through which the dialysate flows are formed inside the blood purifier 5 via the blood purification membrane. The hollow fiber membranes constituting the blood purification membrane have many minute pores formed therein, penetrating from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface, allowing impurities in the blood to permeate into the dialysate via the hollow fiber membranes.

[0027] An IC tag (RFID tag, RF tag) storing identification data for the blood purifier 5 is provided on the side of the housing of the blood purifier 5. The identification data is data for identifying the type of the blood purifier 5 attached to the blood purification apparatus 1, and may be, for example, the model of the blood purifier 5. The identification data may also include additional data such as the manufacturing date, manufacturing location, or expiration date. The IC tag may be of any type: passive, active, or semi-passive; however, a passive type is preferred in consideration of the frequency of reading the identification data and the need for a battery.

[0028] The blood purifier 5 is not limited to a dialyzer having the above-described configuration. For example, it may be an adsorption-type blood purifier used in endotoxin adsorption therapy, activated carbon adsorption therapy, bilirubin adsorption therapy, etc. The blood purifier 5 may also be a hemodiafilter.

[0029] [Communications Department] 2, the communication unit 9 is composed of a communication processing circuit 9a and an antenna 9b. The communication unit 9 transmits and receives information via the communication processing circuit 9a and the antenna 9b to and from a server device in a medical institution installed away from the blood purification apparatus 1 or a terminal device used by a medical professional (the administrator of the blood purification apparatus 1).

[0030] The communication processing circuit 9a may execute processing based on a wideband wireless communication system such as the LTE system. The communication processing circuit 9a may also execute processing based on a system related to narrowband wireless communication such as a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Furthermore, the communication processing circuit 9a may execute processing based on a system related to contactless wireless communication. The communication processing circuit 9a may also use wired communication instead of or in addition to such wireless communication.

[0031] [Reading unit] The reading unit 10 is a general reader device for IC tags. In this embodiment, the reading unit 10 reads identification data stored in an IC tag provided in the blood purifier 5 and an IC tag provided in a blood circuit (described later). Specifically, when the blood purifier 5 and a blood circuit (described later) are attached, the IC tags are positioned so that they can be read by the reading unit 10, and each IC tag operates using radio waves transmitted from the reading unit 10 as energy. This enables the reading unit 10 to communicate with the IC tags and receive the identification data stored in the IC tags.

[0032] Since the communication unit 9 also has a communication function, a function for reading an IC tag may be implemented in the communication unit 9 so that the communication unit functions as the reading unit 10.

[0033] [Internal piping section] Next, as shown in FIG. 3 , the internal piping section 7 has a structure in which a main pipe L1 is connected to the supply side of the blood purifier 5, a main pipe L2 is connected to the drain side, and bypass pipes L3, L4, and L5 are connected between the main pipe L1 and the main pipe L2 so as to bypass the blood purifier 5. A bypass pipe L10 is also provided to connect the supply side (upstream side) of the main pipe L1 to the drain side (downstream side) of the main pipe L2. Furthermore, bypass pipes L11 and L12 are connected in parallel to the main pipe L2 midway through the main pipe L2 so as to bypass a portion of the main pipe L2. A connecting pipe L13 is also provided to connect the main pipe L2 and the bypass pipe L11. For example, each pipe is made of a flexible material such as polyvinyl chloride tubing or silicone tubing. Furthermore, these pipes form a dialysate circuit L14.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, each pipe is provided with a pump, a valve, a sensor, a filter, etc. Specifically, in the main pipe L1, a pressure reducing valve V1, a solenoid valve V2, a degassing pump P0, a degassing chamber 11, a duplex pump P1, a backpressure valve V3, a temperature sensor S1, a filter F12, a solenoid valve V4, a filter F2, a connection port T1, a pressure sensor S2, and a solenoid valve V5 are arranged in this order from the fluid supply terminal side of the internal pipe section 7 toward one end of the blood purifier 5. Here, a priming solution supply line L31 is connected to the connection port T1 arranged in the main pipe L1 for supplying dialysate, which serves as a priming solution, to the extracorporeal circulation section 8 during priming, which will be described later. In addition, a connector C1 is arranged at the tip of the main pipe L1 (the connection side with the blood purifier 5). Furthermore, in the main pipe L2, a solenoid valve V6, a pressure sensor S3, a pressure pump P2, a degassing chamber 12, a duplex pump P1, a backpressure valve V7, a flow rate detector 13, and a solenoid valve V8 are arranged in this order from one end of the blood purifier 5 toward the drainage terminal side of the internal pipe section 7. A connector C2 is disposed at the tip of the main pipe L2 (the side connected to the blood purifier 5).

[0035] The bypass pipe L3 is provided at a position connecting the filter F1 on the main pipe L1 to the downstream side of the pressure sensor S3 on the main pipe L2. A solenoid valve V9 is provided in the bypass pipe L3. The bypass pipe L4 is provided at a position connecting the filter F2 on the main pipe L1 to the upstream side of the pressure sensor S3 on the main pipe L2 (i.e., the downstream side of the solenoid valve V6). A solenoid valve V10 is provided in the bypass pipe L4. The bypass pipe L5 is provided at a position connecting the downstream side of the solenoid valve V5 on the main pipe L1 to the upstream side of the solenoid valve V6 on the main pipe L2. The bypass pipe L5 is formed by connecting the connector C1 of the main pipe L1 to the connector C1 of the main pipe L2. That is, when treatment is performed, the main pipe L1 and the main pipe L2 are connected to the blood purifier 5. However, when cleaning the internal piping section 7, the connectors C1 and C2 are connected to form a bypass connector C3 on the bypass pipe L5. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are defined in accordance with the flow of the dialysis fluid in each component.

[0036] The bypass pipe L10 is connected between the solenoid valve V2 and the degassing pump P0 on the main pipe L1 and downstream of the solenoid valve V8 on the main pipe L2 via the degassing chamber 11, bypassing components other than the pressure reducing valve V1, the solenoid valve V2, and the degassing chamber 11. The bypass pipes L11 and L12 are connected between the pressure sensor S3 and the duplex pump P1 on the main pipe L2 and between the duplex pump P1 and the flow detector 13 on the main pipe L2, bypassing the duplex pump P1. In this embodiment, the bypass pipe L11 is connected closer to the duplex pump P1 than the bypass pipe L12. The bypass pipe L11 is also provided with a backpressure valve V11 and a water removal pump P3. The bypass pipe L12 is also provided with a solenoid valve V12. The connection pipe L13 connects the degassing chamber 12 on the main pipe L2 to the point on the bypass pipe L11 between the back pressure valve V11 and the water removal pump P3.

[0037] The operations of the various valves, pumps, and flow rate detector 13 described above are controlled based on control signals supplied from the information processing device 6. This allows dialysis fluid to be circulated at a desired flow rate or various cleaning procedures to be performed. For example, to more accurately control the amount of fluid delivered by the duplex pump P1, when the duplex pump P1 is performing a suction operation, control is performed to support the suction operation by increasing the water supply pressure or the pressure pump P2. That is, to support the suction rate on the supply side, the pressure reducing valve V1 is controlled to adjust the water supply pressure, and to support the suction rate on the discharge side, the pressure booster pump P2 is controlled. Here, the pressure of the pressure booster pump P2 is controlled by opening the backpressure valve V11 when the pressure of the pressure booster pump P2 exceeds a predetermined value. On the other hand, when the duplex pump P1 is performing a discharge operation, the backpressure valves V3 and V7 are closed to prevent the flow of fluid when the discharge pressure falls below a predetermined value, thereby eliminating the influence of inertia and supporting the discharge operation. That is, the back pressure valve V3 is closed to support the discharge amount on the liquid supply side, and the back pressure valve V7 is closed to support the discharge amount on the liquid discharge side.

[0038] Furthermore, these valves, pumps, and flow rate detectors 13 can transmit status parameters indicating the operating status of each component device or component, or the blood purification apparatus 1 having these, to the information processing device 6. For example, these valves, pumps, and flow rate detectors 13 may transmit status parameters measured by various built-in sensors to the information processing device 6. That is, the status parameters may be measured values measured by various sensors. Note that if various sensors are not built-in, the status parameters may be measured and transmitted by various sensors arranged near each component device or component.

[0039] Similarly, the various sensors described above can also transmit measurement values to the information processing device 6. This enables the information processing device 6 to acquire various state parameters that indicate the operating state of the internal piping section 7 of the blood purification device 1.

[0040] As described above, in the internal piping section 7, in addition to the circulation process and cleaning process of the dialysis fluid, the acquisition process of status parameters indicating the operating status of the blood purification device 1 and the constituent devices and components of the blood purification device 1 is also performed.

[0041] [Extracorporeal circulation department] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 has a structure in which an arterial blood circuit L21 is connected to the blood inlet side of the blood purifier 5, and a venous blood circuit L22 is connected to the blood outlet side of the blood purifier 5. A liquid level control circuit L23 is connected between the arterial blood circuit L21 and the venous blood circuit L22 so as to bypass the blood purifier 5. The liquid level control circuit L23 is composed of a bypass line L24 arranged in parallel with the blood purifier 5 and an open line L25 for introducing or discharging air into or from the bypass line L24. For example, each circuit is made of a flexible material such as polyvinyl chloride tubing or silicone tubing. Hereinafter, when one of the blood circuits is not specified and when these blood circuits are described collectively, they will be simply referred to as the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20.

[0042] The arterial blood circuit L21 includes a connector C21, a solenoid valve V21, a connection port T2, an air bubble detector 22, a blood pump P21, a blood concentration detector 23, and an arterial air trap chamber 24, arranged in this order from the patient H toward the blood purifier 5. A priming solution supply line L31 is connected to the connection port T2 for supplying dialysate, which serves as a priming solution, to each blood port during priming, as described below. In this embodiment, the air bubble detector 22 is not directly provided in the arterial blood circuit L21 itself, but rather has an independent structure connected to the main body 3 of the blood purification apparatus 1 via a wired cord, for example, so that air bubbles in the arterial blood circuit L21 can be detected. The air bubble detector 22 may also be directly provided in the arterial blood circuit L21 itself.

[0043] On the other hand, the venous blood circuit L22 includes a venous air trap chamber 25, a flow rate detector 26, a pressure detector 27, an air bubble detector 28, a solenoid valve V22, and a connector C22, arranged in this order from the blood purifier 5 toward the patient H. Like the air bubble detector 22, the air bubble detector 28 is not directly provided in the venous blood circuit L22 itself, but rather has an independent structure connected to the main body 3 of the blood purification apparatus 1 via a wired cord so that air bubbles in the venous blood circuit L22 can be detected. When the blood purification apparatus 1 is driven to purify the blood of patient H, an arterial puncture needle (not shown) is connected to connector C21, and a venous puncture needle (not shown) is connected to connector C22, and each puncture needle is inserted into the arm of patient H.

[0044] With this configuration, the arterial blood circuit L21 detects the amount and concentration of blood extracted from the patient H, and the venous blood circuit L22 detects the amount and concentration of blood returned to the patient H. In addition, the priming solution supplied from the connection port is supplied to the venous blood circuit L22 via the blood purifier 5.

[0045] In the bypass line L24 of the liquid level adjustment circuit L23, a pressure sensor S22, a solenoid valve V23, another solenoid valve V24, and a pressure sensor S23 are arranged in this order from the arterial air trap chamber 24 toward the venous air trap chamber 25. Furthermore, a liquid level adjustment pump P22 is arranged in the open line L25 of the liquid level adjustment circuit L23. With this configuration, driving the liquid level adjustment pump P22 makes it possible to introduce or discharge air, thereby adjusting the blood level in each air trap chamber. Note that a pressure detector without an air layer may be arranged instead of each air trap chamber. Even in this case, the liquid level adjustment pump P22 is driven to adjust the liquid level.

[0046] The operations of the above-mentioned solenoid valves, various pumps, and various detectors are controlled based on control signals supplied from the information processing device 6. Furthermore, these solenoid valves, pumps, and detectors can transmit status parameters indicating the operating status of each component device or component, or the blood purification apparatus 1 having these, to the information processing device 6. For example, these solenoid valves, pumps, and detectors may transmit status parameters measured by various built-in sensors to the information processing device 6. In other words, the status parameters may be measured values measured by various sensors. Note that if various sensors are not built-in, the status parameters may be measured and transmitted by various sensors arranged near each component device or component.

[0047] Similarly, each of the pressure sensors described above can also transmit measurement values to the information processing device 6. This enables the information processing device 6 to acquire various state parameters that indicate the operating state of the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 of the blood purification device 1.

[0048] As described above, in the extracorporeal circulation section 8, in addition to the processes of introducing and discharging blood and adjusting the liquid level, the process of acquiring status parameters indicating the operating status of the blood purification device 1 and the constituent devices and components of the blood purification device 1 is also performed.

[0049] An IC tag (RFID tag, RF tag) storing identification data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 is provided on the surface of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 constituting the extracorporeal circulation unit 8. The identification data is data for identifying the type of the attached extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, and may be, for example, the model of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20. The identification data may also include additional data such as the manufacturing date, manufacturing location, or expiration date. The IC tag may be of any type: passive, active, or semi-passive; however, a passive type is preferred in consideration of the frequency of reading the identification data and the need for a battery.

[0050] [Priming] 5, the connection port T1 of the internal piping unit 7 and the connection port T2 of the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 are connected by a priming solution supply line L31. A solenoid valve V31 is disposed in the priming solution supply line L31. When the solenoid valve V31 is open, the dialysis fluid produced in the internal piping unit 7 is supplied to the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 via the priming solution supply line L31.

[0051] Specifically, a control signal (drive signal) for opening the solenoid valve V31 is supplied from the information processing device 6 to the solenoid valve V31, and a control signal (drive signal) for driving the blood pump P21 is supplied from the information processing device 6 to the blood pump P21. As a result, the solenoid valve V31 opens, the blood pump P21 is driven, and the dialysate produced in the internal piping unit 7 flows into the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 as a priming fluid. Note that, as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 5, saline may be supplied as the priming fluid from a saline bag 30 installed outside the blood purification device 1. In this case, a chamber 31 may be disposed between the saline bag 30 and the solenoid valve V31.

[0052] The information processing device 6 then receives data detected by the air bubble detector 22, the flow rate detector 26, the pressure detector 27, and the air bubble detector 28 and determines whether priming is complete based on the detected data. For example, the information processing device 6 may determine that priming is complete when no air bubbles are detected in the blood circuit and the flow rate and pressure of the priming solution reach or exceed predetermined values. More specifically, when a predetermined amount of priming solution is completely supplied from the internal piping unit 7 to the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, the information processing device 6 supplies a control signal (drive signal) to the solenoid valve V31 to close the solenoid valve V31, thereby closing the solenoid valve V31 and stopping the supply of the priming solution. Thereafter, the blood pump P21 continues to be driven to circulate the priming solution supplied to the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 and clean the extracorporeal circulation unit 8. After a predetermined time has passed, when no air bubbles are detected in the blood circuit and the flow rate and pressure of the priming solution reach or exceed predetermined values, the information processing device 6 supplies a control signal (stop signal) to the blood pump P21 to stop the blood pump P21. As a result, the blood circuit is filled with the priming solution, and cleaning is completed.

[0053] [Information processing device] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 6 according to this embodiment is composed of a processor 6a and a memory 6b.

[0054] The processor 6a is composed of a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and functions as a control unit that controls other connected components or devices based on various programs stored in the memory 6b. Specifically, the processor 6a reads and executes a program for executing the blood purification process or a program for executing the OS from the memory 6b. The processor 6a also executes a process for estimating the priming time of the blood purification device 1. The processor 6a may be composed of a single GPU or CPU, or may be composed of a combination of multiple CPUs or GPUs.

[0055] The memory 6b is composed of ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory, HDD, etc., and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores instructions and commands for executing the blood purification process as a program. The ROM also stores a trained estimation model required for estimating the priming time in the blood purification device 1. The RAM is used to write and read data while the program stored in the ROM is being processed by the processor 6a. The nonvolatile memory is a storage device in which data is written and read as the program is executed, and the data written therein is retained even after the execution of the program has ended.

[0056] In particular, in this embodiment, a program for estimating the priming of the blood purification apparatus 1 is stored. The program causes a computer (i.e., the information processing device 6 of the blood purification apparatus 1) to execute a process of acquiring identification data set according to the type of blood purifier 5 and extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 attached to the blood purification apparatus 1. The program also causes the computer to execute a process of estimating the remaining time required for priming of the blood purification apparatus 1 based on the identification data. Furthermore, the program causes the computer to execute a process of generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1 based on the remaining time. The process executed by the program will be described later.

[0057] (Functional configuration of information processing device) Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 6 of the blood purification apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 6 according to the first embodiment. In particular, Fig. 6 shows other constituent devices and components of the blood purification apparatus 1 in addition to the information processing device 6, and also shows the flow of information and data between these devices.

[0058] 6, the information processing device 6 includes an estimation unit 51, a control unit 52, and a storage unit 53. The estimation unit 51 also includes a calculation unit 55 and a trained estimation model 56. These units are realized by the processor 6a and memory 6b of the information processing device 6 themselves functioning, or by the processor 6a reading and executing a program stored in the memory 6b.

[0059] The estimation unit 51 receives the identification data stored in the IC tag of the blood purifier 5 and the identification data stored in the IC tag of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 via the reading unit 10 shown in Fig. 2. Each piece of identification data is set according to the type of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, and various data related to the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 can be grasped based on each piece of identification data.

[0060] The estimation unit 51 also receives air bubble data from the air bubble detector 60 via the communication unit 9 shown in Fig. 2. Here, the air bubble detector 60 is a general term for the air bubble detectors 22 and 28 shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and is not limited to any one of the air bubble detectors.

[0061] Furthermore, the estimation unit 51 receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor S61 via the communication unit 9 shown in Fig. 2. Similarly, the estimation unit 51 receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor S62 via the communication unit 9 shown in Fig. 2. Here, the pressure sensor S61 and the temperature sensor S62 collectively refer to the pressure sensors or temperature sensors shown in Fig. 3, and are not limited to any one of the pressure sensors or temperature sensors.

[0062] The estimation unit 51 also receives the identification data of the blood purifier 5 and the identification data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 as input data input by operating the input unit 4a. Similarly, the estimation unit 51 also receives data related to the operating environment of the blood purification device 1 as input data input by operating the input unit 4a. Here, the data related to the operating environment of the blood purification device 1 is, for example, pressure and temperature values. That is, the data related to the operating environment of the blood purification device 1 is temperature data and atmospheric pressure data around the location where the blood purification device 1 is installed. Note that input data is not necessarily received. If the identification data and temperature and pressure values are not received from each component, etc., the respective data will be received by operation by the administrator of the blood purification device 1. The input data may also be received from another blood purification device, a server device, etc. via the communication unit 9.

[0063] The calculation unit 55 of the estimation unit 51 calculates the usage environment of the blood purification device 1 based on various electrical signals received from the pressure sensor S61 and the temperature sensor S62. Specifically, the calculation unit 55 calculates the usage environment (temperature, air pressure) in which the blood purification device 1 is installed based on the received electrical signals and outputs the calculated data. Here, when the internal piping unit 7 is not filled with dialysate, the inside of the internal piping unit 7 is open to the atmosphere, so the measured temperature and pressure match those related to the usage environment of the blood purification device 1, and measurements are performed by the pressure sensor S61 and the temperature sensor S62 in a state where the internal piping unit 7 is not filled with dialysate (i.e., before treatment). Note that a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor may be separately installed in the main body 3 of the blood purification device 1 so that data related to the usage environment of the blood purification device 1 can be measured regardless of the operating state of the blood purification device 1.

[0064] The estimation unit 51 transmits each piece of received data received via the communication unit 9 or the reading unit 10 and the calculated data calculated by the calculation unit 55 to the storage unit 53 in order to store the data. The storage unit 53 stores the received data in the memory 6b.

[0065] Then, in order to estimate the priming time using the trained estimation model 56, the estimation unit 51 inputs each received data received via the communication unit 9 or the reading unit 10 and the calculated data calculated by the calculation unit 55 into the trained estimation model 56. The trained estimation model 56 uses artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate the priming time from the input data and outputs the remaining time until priming is completed, which is the estimated result. The trained estimation model 56 and the remaining time, which is output data, will be described later, including model settings. When the estimation unit 51 acquires the remaining time, which is output data from the trained estimation model 56, it transmits the remaining time to the control unit 52.

[0066] The control unit 52 generates display data based on the estimated remaining time to display the priming time (time until priming is completed) of the blood purification device 1 in a manner that is understandable to the manager of the blood purification device 1. The control unit 52 also generates a control signal that serves as a display instruction and transmits the display instruction together with the display data to the output unit 4b.

[0067] The output unit 4b displays the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1 on the display 4 and notifies the manager of the blood purification apparatus 1 of the time remaining until priming is complete. By checking the displayed priming time, the manager can determine the time required to complete priming and can perform other tasks according to the displayed time.

[0068] (Treatment in blood purification equipment) Next, the processing executed in the blood purification apparatus 1 until the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is estimated and displayed will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16. Here, FIGS. 7 and 15 are sequence diagrams related to the estimation of the priming time in the blood purification apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the flow of setting the trained estimation model 56 in the information processing device 6 according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of evaluating the trained estimation model 56 in the information processing device 6 according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is table data showing the training data used to generate the trained estimation model 56 according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the training data used to generate the trained estimation model 56 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 16 are display screens displayed in the blood purification apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

[0069] 7, the information processing device 6 is initially configured (S111). Here, the initial configuration refers to a preparatory process required to estimate the priming time of the blood purification device 1 using artificial intelligence (AI). That is, the initial configuration generates a trained estimation model 56, and the trained estimation model 56 is implemented in the information processing device 6.

[0070] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 acquires learning data for generating the trained estimation model 56 (S201). Here, as examples of the learning data, data on the type of blood purifier 5, data on the type of extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, basic priming time data, data on the amount of bubble reduction, and usage environment data may be used, as shown in Fig. 9. These data may be input by an administrator of the blood purification device 1 via the input unit 4a or may be received via the communication unit 9.

[0071] The type data of the blood purifier 5 may be, for example, the model of the blood purifier. The type data of the blood purifier 5 may include not only the model but also data characteristic of the blood purifier 5, such as material, structure, dimensions, specifications, membrane area, capacity, ultrafiltration rate (UFR), wet or dry, and conditions of use. The type data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 may be, for example, the model of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20. The type data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 may also include not only the model but also data characteristic of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, such as material, structure, dimensions, specifications, capacity, and conditions of use. The type data may be the same data as the above-mentioned identification data, or other data added to the model may be different. The type data and the identification data are used in different situations; the type data is intended to be data for machine learning, while the identification data is intended to be data for identifying an actually attached device, etc.

[0072] The basic priming time data is data set according to the type of blood purifier 5 and the type of extracorporeal circulation circuit L20. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the basic priming time data is data that uniquely determines the initial setting time required for priming once the type of blood purifier 5 and the type of extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 are determined. Here, the initial setting time refers to the remaining time when priming starts, and is the time that is first displayed when priming starts. The basic priming time data is determined according to the usage history of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, or in other words, it is time data related to past priming history.

[0073] The bubble reduction data indicates how the amount of bubbles in the extracorporeal circuit L20 is reduced after the start of priming. The bubble reduction data indicates how the amount of bubbles in the circuit is reduced as priming progresses, as shown in FIG. 11 . In particular, FIG. 11 shows graphs C1 to C5, with the horizontal axis representing the priming elapsed time and the vertical axis representing the amount of bubbles in the circuit. These graphs correspond to five patterns determined by the combination of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circuit L20. Here, graphs C1 to C5 correspond to the cases where the identification data of the extracorporeal circuit L20 is “a1” and the blood purifier 5 is “b1,” “b2,” “b3,” “b4,” and “b5.” The priming elapsed times h1 to h5 at which the amount of bubbles in the circuit becomes zero in each graph correspond to the table data in FIG. 10 . In other words, the initial setting time in FIG. 10 corresponds to the priming elapsed time at which the amount of bubbles in the circuit becomes zero in FIG. 11 . The data on the amount of reduction of bubbles may not be the graph data itself, but may be numerical data corresponding to the graphs C1 to C5.

[0074] The usage environment data is data related to the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus 1. Specifically, it is data on the temperature and atmospheric pressure when the blood purification apparatus 1 is used. It may also be data related to the prefecture, city, town, village, or region where the blood purification apparatus 1 is installed, or a combination of such data. Here, since the amount of bubble reduction may depend on the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus 1, it is preferable that the usage environment data be linked to the basic priming time data and bubble reduction amount data described above.

[0075] As described above, in this embodiment, to generate a trained estimation model, the type data of the blood purifier 5, the type data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, the basic priming time data, the bubble reduction amount data, and the use environment data are associated and used. However, although it is preferable to associate all of this data, some data may be excluded or additional data may be added, and the association between data may be changed as appropriate according to machine learning, which will be described later.

[0076] Next, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 performs annotation processing on the acquired learning data (S202). Specifically, the annotation processing adds annotations to the acquired learning data to generate teacher data. For example, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 tags each combination determined by the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 with an initial setting time based on standard temperature and air pressure, and generates correct answer data linked to the standard initial setting time for each combination determined by the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20.

[0077] Next, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 performs machine learning using the acquired training data and the annotated teacher data (S203). As an example, the machine learning is performed by providing the training data and teacher data to a neural network configured by combining neurons, and repeating learning while adjusting the parameters of each neuron so that the output of the neural network is the same as the correct data in the teacher data. Note that the above machine learning is merely an example, and machine learning using scoring may also be performed.

[0078] Next, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 evaluates the trained estimation model 56 generated by machine learning (S204). Here, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 performs model evaluation using evaluation data different from the learning data used for machine learning. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 inputs identification data of the blood purifier 5, identification data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, the amount of bubble reduction in a predetermined time, temperature data, and pressure data. Here, the predetermined time related to the amount of bubble reduction may be, for example, one minute from the start of priming or half the typical priming time (approximately 13 minutes). Thereafter, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 evaluates whether the remaining time of priming output from the trained estimation model 56 is a correct result. As a specific evaluation method, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 determines whether the actual remaining time of priming corresponding to the evaluation data (the time until the completion of priming when the predetermined time is set to zero) matches the estimated remaining time. Here, the actual remaining time of priming refers to the time elapsed from the predetermined time related to the amount of bubble reduction to the completion of priming, with the timing of this predetermined time being set to 0. If the actual maintenance information and the estimated data do not match, the process will be restarted from acquiring the learning data, and machine learning will be performed again.

[0079] Next, when the actual remaining time of priming corresponding to the evaluation data matches the estimated remaining time, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 implements the generated trained estimation model 56 (S205). Specifically, the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 stores the generated trained estimation model 56 in the memory 6b. This causes the estimation unit 51 having the trained estimation model 56 to function in the information processing device 6.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 7, after the initial setting (S111) is completed, preparations are made to attach the blood purifier 5 to the blood purification apparatus 1 (S112). When the blood purifier 5 is actually attached to the blood purification apparatus 1 and the distance between the blood purifier 5 and the blood purification apparatus 1 is within a predetermined distance, the IC tag of the blood purifier 5 operates using radio waves transmitted from the reading unit 10 of the blood purification apparatus 1 as energy. This enables the reading unit 10 of the blood purification apparatus 1 to communicate with the IC tag of the blood purifier 5, and the identification data stored in the IC tag is read by the reading unit 10 of the blood purification apparatus 1. That is, the identification data of the blood purifier 5 stored in the IC tag is transmitted from the blood purifier 5 to the information processing device 6 (T111).

[0081] After the initial setting (S111) is completed, the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 of the blood purification apparatus 1 is prepared for attachment of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 (S113). When the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 is actually attached to the blood purification apparatus 1 and the distance between the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 and the blood purification apparatus 1 is within a predetermined distance, the IC tag of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 operates using radio waves transmitted from the reading unit 10 of the blood purification apparatus 1 as energy. This enables the reading unit 10 of the blood purification apparatus 1 to communicate with the IC tag of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, and the identification data stored in the IC tag is read by the reading unit 10 of the blood purification apparatus 1. That is, the identification data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 stored in the IC tag is transmitted from the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 to the information processing device 6 (T112).

[0082] Furthermore, after the initial setting (S111) is completed, the temperature and pressure in the internal piping section 7 are measured (S114). Here, when measuring the temperature and pressure, the internal piping section 7 is not filled with dialysis fluid, and the temperature and pressure are measured in an open-to-atmosphere state. That is, the temperature and pressure in the environment in which the blood purification device 1 is used are measured. Then, the measurement signal measured in the extracorporeal circulation section 8 is transmitted to the information processing device 6 (T113).

[0083] The acquisition of the identification data and measurement signals is not limited to the flows of S112 to S114 and T111 to T113, and each identification data and measurement signal may be received from another device via the communication unit 9, or each identification data and measurement signal may be input via the input unit 4a. For example, this input may be realized by input using software that allows the setting of treatment conditions, similar to weight, treatment time, amount of water removed, etc.

[0084] Next, the information processing device 6 performs calculation processing on the received measurement signals (S115). Specifically, the calculation unit 55 of the information processing device 6 calculates the usage environment of the blood purification device 1 based on the temperature and pressure electrical signals that are the measurement signals. Specifically, the calculation unit 55 calculates the usage environment (temperature, air pressure) in which the blood purification device 1 is installed based on the received electrical signals, and outputs the calculated data.

[0085] Next, the information processing device 6 performs a storage process for the received identification data and the calculated data related to the usage environment (S116). Specifically, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 transmits the received data and the calculated data to the storage unit 53, and the storage unit 53 stores each data in the memory 6b.

[0086] Next, the administrator of the blood purification apparatus 1 operates the buttons on the display 4 (S117). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, display sections 61-63 and buttons 71-74 are displayed on the output section 4b of the display 4. Display section 61 displays the numerical values of the venous pressure and the dialysate pressure, display section 62 displays the amount of water removed, the set amount of water removed, and the water removal rate, and display section 63 displays the treatment conditions for confirmation. Button 71 is a button for starting gas purging, button 72 is a button for starting membrane heating, button 73 is a button for starting priming, and button 74 is a button for starting blood removal. The above-mentioned button operation is an operation by the administrator to start priming, which is the operation of pressing button 73.

[0087] When button 73 is pressed, a display unit 64 pops up, displaying confirmation details related to priming, as shown in Fig. 13. The display unit 64 also includes a button 75 for requesting the start of priming. Here, the display unit 64 displays a message indicating that the blood circuit should be confirmed as being attached, as a step to be taken before starting priming. Therefore, the administrator of the blood purification apparatus 1 will confirm the display and then press button 75 to request the start of priming. Then, by pressing button 75, a start instruction, which is a control request for starting priming, is transmitted to the information processing device 6 (T114).

[0088] Next, when the information processing device 6 receives a start instruction, the processor 6a executes the priming program stored in the memory 6b and controls the respective components and parts of the internal piping unit 7 and the extracorporeal circulation unit 8. As a result, the dialysate is supplied as a priming solution from the internal piping unit 7 to the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, and filling of the priming solution into the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 begins (S118).

[0089] Next, when filling of the priming solution begins, air bubble detection is performed in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 (S119). Specifically, the air bubble detectors 22, 28 of the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 detect air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20. Then, the air bubble detectors 22, 28 of the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 transmit air bubble data, which is the detection result, to the information processing device 6 (T115). Note that, for the sake of convenience of explanation, FIG. 7 shows only one air bubble detection and one transmission of bubble data, but in reality, the detection and data transmission are performed continuously until no more air bubbles are detected (i.e., until priming is completed). Here, the time that elapses until S119 is executed is a relatively short time, about one minute from the start of priming, as shown in FIG. 11, and is assumed to be the time until the predetermined time A.

[0090] Next, the information processing device 6 performs a storage process for the received bubble data (S120). Specifically, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 transmits the received bubble data to the storage unit 53, and the storage unit 53 stores the bubble data in the memory 6b. Note that, since bubble detection and bubble data are performed continuously, the storage process is also performed continuously every time bubble data is received.

[0091] Next, the information processing device 6 uses the received identification data and bubble data, as well as the calculated calculation data, to estimate the remaining time until priming is completed, which is the priming time of the blood purification device 1 (S121). Here, the remaining time corresponds to the initial display time, since it is the remaining time that is displayed for the first time when priming has started. Specifically, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 inputs the received identification data and bubble data, as well as the calculated calculation data, to the trained estimation model 56. The trained estimation model 56 performs estimation processing based on the input data and outputs the remaining time (estimated data), which is the estimation result. This completes the process in which the estimation unit 51 obtains the initial remaining time, which is the priming time of the blood purification device 1 and is used for initial display, and the remaining time is output from the trained estimation model 56.

[0092] Next, the information processing device 6 performs a process of generating display data for notifying the administrator of the blood purification device 1 of the remaining time of priming of the blood purification device 1 (S122). Specifically, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 transmits the acquired remaining time to the control unit 52. Based on the acquired remaining time, the control unit 52 generates display data for displaying the priming time on the output unit 4b and a control signal for displaying the display data. This completes the process of generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device 1 based on the estimated remaining time.

[0093] Next, a process of transmitting display data and a control signal from the information processing device 6 to the display 4 is performed (T116). Specifically, the control unit 52 of the information processing device 6 transmits a control signal, which is a display instruction, to the output unit 4b along with the display data to be displayed on the output unit 4b of the display 4. Thereafter, the priming time based on the received display data is displayed on the output unit 4b on the display 4 (S123).

[0094] Here, Fig. 14 shows an example of an image output by output unit 4b. As shown in Fig. 14, the remaining priming time is displayed on display unit 63 of output unit 4b. Specifically, display unit 63 is provided with display section 81 that displays a number indicating the remaining priming time. Also, below display section 81 is provided a progress bar 82 for grasping the progress of the priming time. As priming progresses, the number on display section 81 becomes smaller, and the blank spaces in progress bar 82 gradually decrease.

[0095] The remaining time on display unit 81 decreases in the same manner as normal time passes until the next priming time estimation process is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14 , when the remaining time is displayed as 13 minutes on display unit 81, the remaining time gradually decreases to 12 minutes, 11 minutes, and so on, in accordance with the normal passage of time until the next priming time estimation. Note that the decrease in the remaining time on display unit 81 may be processed by control unit 52 of information processing device 6 using a clock function. That is, control unit 52 may continuously or periodically transmit display data and control signals to display 4.

[0096] 15, after the start of priming solution filling, the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 continuously detects bubbles (S124), transmits bubble data to the information processing device 6 (T117), and stores the data (S125) in the information processing device 6, similar to the above-described steps S119, T115, and S120. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the remaining priming time is re-estimated and corrected (S126). The predetermined time may be, for example, a periodic interval, such as every three minutes, or when half of the initially displayed remaining time has elapsed. The predetermined time may also be set according to the amount of bubble reduction, such as when it is confirmed that the number of bubbles has decreased by 10%, 20%, or the like, from the initial stage. In this embodiment, the predetermined time B is assumed to be when approximately half of the priming elapsed time h3 corresponding to graph C3 in FIG. 11 has elapsed.

[0097] Specifically, similar to S121, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 inputs the received identification data and bubble data, as well as the calculated calculation data, to the trained estimation model 56. The trained estimation model 56 performs estimation processing based on the input data and outputs the remaining time (estimated data), which is the estimation result. This completes the process in which the estimation unit 51 acquires the priming time of the blood purification device 1, which is the remaining time after a predetermined time has elapsed, and re-outputs the remaining time from the trained estimation model 56 as the corrected priming time.

[0098] 11, suppose that "13 minutes" corresponding to graph C3 is displayed in the initial stage of priming, but that it is determined to correspond to graph C1 after a second estimation process that takes into account the amount of air bubbles reduced after a predetermined time B has elapsed. In this case, the initial display time is set to h1, and the trained estimation model 56 performs an estimation process that corresponds to calculating the remaining time taking into account the elapse of the predetermined time B.

[0099] Next, the information processing device 6 performs a process of generating display data for notifying the administrator of the blood purification device 1 of the remaining time of priming of the blood purification device 1 (S127). Specifically, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 transmits the acquired remaining time to the control unit 52. Based on the acquired remaining time, the control unit 52 generates display data for displaying the priming time on the output unit 4b and a control signal for displaying the display data. This completes the process of generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device 1 based on the estimated remaining time.

[0100] Here, if there is no difference between the remaining time actually displayed on output unit 4b and the newly estimated corrected remaining time, control unit 52 may simply continue to transmit the above-mentioned display data and control signal to display 4 without performing the above-mentioned generation process. Furthermore, if the newly estimated corrected remaining time is greater than a threshold value compared to the remaining time actually displayed on output unit 4b, control unit 52 may include data for announcing an abnormality in the display data. In other words, if the above-mentioned re-estimation of the remaining time results in an estimated remaining time that allows it to be determined that priming is not progressing, control unit 52 may perform processing for announcing an abnormality.

[0101] Next, a process of transmitting display data and a control signal from the information processing device 6 to the display 4 is performed (T118). Specifically, the control unit 52 of the information processing device 6 transmits a control signal, which is a display instruction, to the output unit 4b along with the display data to be displayed on the output unit 4b of the display 4. Thereafter, the priming time based on the received display data is displayed on the output unit 4b on the display 4 (S128).

[0102] Here, Fig. 16 shows an example of an image output by the output unit 4b after a predetermined time has elapsed. As shown in Fig. 16, the display unit 81 of the output unit 4b displays one minute as the remaining time of priming. Also, in the progress status bar 82, most of the blank spaces have turned black, making it possible to confirm that priming is nearing completion. Note that, in the above second estimation, it has been determined that the graph C3 in Fig. 11 has been corrected to graph C1, so As the priming progresses, the remaining time displayed on the display unit 81 will decrease significantly from, for example, 8 minutes to 1 minute.

[0103] Next, when no more air bubbles are detected in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, the filling of the priming solution is completed (S129). Specifically, in the information processing device 6, the processor 6a supplies control signals to the internal piping unit 7 and each component device and component part of the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, which stops the operation of each part involved in the supply of priming solution and starts the circulation of the priming solution in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8. Then, when a set amount of priming solution flows in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, the processor 6a ends the priming program stored in the memory 6b, and the priming is completed.

[0104] Next, when priming is completed, the information processing device 6 performs additional learning processing for the trained estimation model 56 (S130). Specifically, machine learning is performed again using data related to the completed priming. For example, training data is acquired using the identification data received in T111 and T112 as type data, the calculation data calculated in S115 as use environment data such as temperature and pressure, and the air bubble data received in T115 and T117 as air bubble reduction amount data. Thereafter, processing similar to S202 and S203 in FIG. 8 is executed, and the generated new model is reimplemented (i.e., updated) as the trained estimation model 56.

[0105] (Modification of the first embodiment) In the above embodiment, supervised learning using training data was performed to generate the trained estimation model 56, but this is not limiting. For example, the trained estimation model 56 may be generated using general unsupervised learning or reinforcement learning. That is, the machine learning method is not limited as long as the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1 can be estimated. Naturally, different machine learning methods require different training data. Therefore, the training data for generating the trained estimation model 56 is not limited to the type data of the blood purifier 5, the type data of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, the basic priming time data, the bubble reduction amount data, and the usage environment data. Various data related to the blood purification apparatus 1 can be used. For example, if the dialysis fluid, which is the priming fluid, is not supplied from the internal piping unit 7 but from another device or component, the supply method of the priming fluid, the environmental conditions, etc. may be learned by machine learning.

[0106] In the above embodiment, an IC tag is provided for the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, but separate IC tags may be provided for the arterial blood circuit L21 and the venous blood circuit L22. In this case, type data for the arterial blood circuit L21 and the venous blood circuit L22 may be machine-learned to generate a trained estimation model 56. The estimation unit 51 may then input identification data for the arterial blood circuit L21 and the venous blood circuit L22 into the trained estimation model 56 to estimate the remaining priming time.

[0107] In the above embodiment, a piping configuration was adopted in which the duplex pump P1 was used to introduce and discharge the dialysis fluid. However, for example, two diaphragm pumps may be used instead of the duplex pump P1. An example of such a case will be described as a modified example with reference to FIG. 17. Here, FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a blood purification apparatus 31 according to a modified example of this embodiment. Note that the same devices and parts as those in the blood purification apparatus 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0108] 17, a blood purification device 41 according to the modified example has an internal piping section 47 for introducing dialysate into and out of the blood purifier 5, and an extracorporeal circulation section 48 for introducing blood into and out of the blood purifier 5. The internal piping section 47 and the internal piping section 7 are functionally identical, but have different components. Similarly, the extracorporeal circulation section 48 and the extracorporeal circulation section 8 are functionally identical, but have different components.

[0109] The internal piping section 47 has a structure in which a main piping L41 is connected to the fluid supply side of the blood purifier 5 and a main piping L42 is connected to the fluid discharge side. In the main piping L41, a pressure reducing valve V1, a solenoid valve V2, a diaphragm pump P41, a solenoid valve V42, and a connector C1 are arranged in this order from the fluid supply terminal side of the internal piping section 47 toward one end of the blood purifier 5. In the main piping L42, a solenoid valve V42, a diaphragm pump P42, and a flow detector 13 are arranged in this order from one end of the blood purifier 5 toward the fluid discharge terminal side of the internal piping section 47. In the internal piping section 47, water removal can be performed by adjusting the flow rates of the two diaphragm pumps P41 and P42. For this reason, the internal piping section 47 does not have a water removal pump P3.

[0110] The extracorporeal circulation unit 48 has a structure in which an arterial blood circuit L43 is connected to the blood inlet side of the blood purifier 5, and a venous blood circuit L43 is connected to the blood outlet side of the blood purifier 5. The arterial blood circuit L43 includes a connector C21, an arterial clamp CL41, and a blood pump P21, arranged in this order from the patient H toward the blood purifier 5. The venous blood circuit L44 includes a venous air trap chamber 25, a flow detector 26, an air bubble detector 28, a venous clamp CL42, and a connector C22, arranged in this order from the blood purifier 5 toward the patient H. A supply pipe L45 for supplying a priming solution is connected between the arterial clamp CL41 and the blood pump P21. The supply pipe L45 is provided with a supply clamp CL43, and is connected to a reservoir bag 92. Physiological saline is stored in the reservoir bag 92 as the priming solution.

[0111] 17, the internal piping section 47 and the extracorporeal circulation section 48 are connected by a communication pipe L51. Specifically, one end of the communication pipe L51 (the internal piping section 47 side) is connected between the electromagnetic valve V42 of the internal piping section 47 and the diaphragm pump P42, and the other end (the extracorporeal circulation section 48 side) is connected to the venous air trap chamber 25. In addition, a electromagnetic valve V43 is disposed in the communication pipe L51 as a component of the internal piping section 47.

[0112] Furthermore, in the blood purification device 1 of the above-described embodiment, a duplex pump system is employed in which the duplex pump P1 is used to introduce and discharge the dialysis fluid, but this is not limiting. For example, a double-chamber system may be employed in which two chambers are provided, each separated into two compartments by a single diaphragm, the amount of dialysis fluid and the amount of drained fluid are controlled to be equal, and the amount of water removal is controlled by a water removal pump.

[0113] As an example of the double-chamber system, in the internal piping section, a pressure reducing valve, a first solenoid valve, a supply-side diaphragm pump, a flow rate adjusting valve, a flow meter, a concentration sensor, a temperature sensor, and a second solenoid valve are arranged in this order from the supply side in the supply-side piping for introducing dialysate to the blood purifier. Also, a third solenoid valve, a dialysate pressure sensor, a filtrate pump, and a discharge-side diaphragm pump are arranged in this order from the blood purifier in the discharge-side piping for discharging dialysate to the blood purifier. Furthermore, a water removal pump and a negative pressure circulation pump are arranged in another piping branching off from the discharge-side piping.

[0114] In another example of the double-chamber system, in the internal piping section, a supply-side pipe for introducing dialysate to the blood purifier is provided with pumps for introducing two types of medicinal solutions toward the blood purifier. Also, balancing chamber valves are provided near the inlets of the diaphragm pumps in the supply-side pipe. Meanwhile, a balancing chamber valve, a dialysate filter, a retention valve, an ultrafiltration pump, and a discharge valve are provided in the discharge-side pipe for discharging dialysate to the blood purifier. Furthermore, a heat exchanger, a balancing chamber valve, a flow pump, an air separation pump, a load pressure valve, and a recirculation valve are provided in the circulation pipe branching off from the discharge-side pipe.

[0115] Furthermore, a viscous chamber system may be adopted in which the inside of a closed viscous chamber is divided into three compartments by two diaphragms, the volume of the central viscous chamber is changed, and a volume difference is generated between the dialysate compartment and the drainage compartment to control the water removal. In other words, the viscous chamber system does not use a water removal pump.

[0116] When this viscous chamber system is adopted, the viscous chambers of the viscous chambers, which are divided into three compartments, are connected via a viscous pump in the internal piping section, allowing the introduction and discharge of viscous oil (silicone oil). Furthermore, a three-way solenoid valve, a two-way solenoid valve, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor are provided in the piping extending from one viscous chamber to the blood purifier. Furthermore, a hydraulic pump and a relief valve are provided in the piping extending from the blood purifier to the other viscous chamber.

[0117] (Operation and effect of the first embodiment) In this embodiment, when identification data of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, temperature and pressure data, and bubble data are input to the trained estimation model 56, which is generated by machine learning in association with type data of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, basic priming time data, bubble reduction amount data, and usage environment data, the trained estimation model 56 estimates the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1. In particular, in this embodiment, the trained estimation model 56 estimates the remaining time required for priming multiple times. As a result, the remaining time corresponding to the progress of priming is updated, and a more accurate remaining time is reported. Furthermore, because the trained estimation model 56 is generated by machine learning in association with the various data described above, it is possible to estimate the priming time with higher accuracy.

[0118] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the priming time was estimated in the blood purification apparatus 1, but the estimation process may also be performed in a server device that manages multiple blood purification apparatuses 1. Such a case will be described as the second embodiment with reference to Figs. 18 to 21. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood purification system according to this embodiment. Fig. 19 is a functional block diagram of a blood purification apparatus according to this embodiment. Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing the physical configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. Fig. 21 is a functional block diagram of a blood purification apparatus according to this embodiment. Note that differences from the first embodiment will be basically described, and descriptions of the same contents will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.

[0119] 18, a blood purification system 300 according to this embodiment includes multiple blood purification apparatuses 1, a server apparatus 400, and a mobile terminal apparatus 500. Two blood purification apparatuses 1, the server apparatus 400, and the mobile terminal apparatus 500 are communicably connected to each other via a network 600 such as the Internet. The network 600 may be configured wirelessly, wired, or a combination of these.

[0120] In the blood purification system 300, each blood purification device 1 transmits various data acquired within the device to a server device 400 or a portable terminal device 500 via a network 600. The server device 400 processes the various data received from the blood purification device 1 and transmits the processing results to the blood purification device 1 or the portable terminal device 500. The portable terminal device 500 can also process the various data it receives and transmit the data to the blood purification device 1 or the server device.

[0121] The configuration of the blood purification apparatus 1 of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference is that the remaining time (estimated data), which is the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1, is not acquired, and processing related to control based on this remaining time is not performed. Therefore, the blood purification apparatus 1 does not have the configuration and functions related to this processing. Although only two blood purification apparatuses 1 are shown in FIG. 18, the number of blood purification apparatuses 1 is not limited to this, and the blood purification system 300 may have three or more blood purification apparatuses 1. Furthermore, the blood purification apparatuses 1 are not limited to the same type of apparatus, and may be apparatuses of different types or versions.

[0122] The server device 400 is a computer installed in a medical institution, which manages various data within the medical institution and performs various data processing within the medical institution. The installation location of the server device 400 is not limited to the medical institution, and it may be outside the medical institution. Also, although the server device 400 is depicted as a single device in FIG. 18, it is also possible to distribute the various configurations and processing of the server device 400, which will be described later, to multiple other server devices or cloud server devices.

[0123] The portable terminal device 500 may be, but is not limited to, a device capable of wireless communication, such as a smartphone. For example, the portable terminal device 500 may be a feature phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. Although only one portable terminal device 500 is shown in FIG. 18, the number of portable terminal devices 500 is not limited to this, and the blood purification system 300 may include two or more portable terminal devices 500.

[0124] Next, the functional configuration of the blood purification device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. In particular, in Fig. 19, the same devices, parts, and configurations as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0125] 19, the information processing device 6 has a data acquisition unit 150, and the function of the data acquisition unit 150 is realized by the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 6b. Similar to the estimation unit 51 of the first embodiment, the data acquisition unit 150 receives identification data from the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, bubble data from the bubble detector 60, a pressure signal from the pressure sensor S61, a temperature signal from the temperature sensor S62, and input data from the input unit 4a. Similarly to the calculation unit 55 of the first embodiment, the data acquisition unit 150 calculates the usage environment (calculation data) of the blood purification device 1 based on the various electrical signals received from the pressure sensor S61 and the temperature sensor S62.

[0126] Thereafter, the data acquisition unit 150 transmits the received data and the calculated data as one piece of acquired data to the outside of the blood purification apparatus 1 via the communication unit 9. Here, the data acquisition unit 150 may add identification data for identifying a specific blood purification apparatus 1 from multiple blood purification apparatuses 1. In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 150 transmits the operation data to the server device 400.

[0127] Furthermore, the communication unit 9 receives display data for displaying the remaining time of priming from the outside. In this embodiment, the communication unit 9 receives the display data from the server device 400. The communication unit 9 transmits the received display data to the control unit 52. The functions of the control unit 52 and the output unit 4b are the same as those in the first embodiment, and perform various processes for display based on the received display data.

[0128] Next, the configuration of the server device 400 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 20 and Fig. 21. First, as shown in Fig. 20, the server device 400 has an input unit 404a, an output unit 404b, an information processing device 406, and a communication unit 409. The information processing device 406 is composed of a processor 406a and a memory 406b. The communication unit 409 is composed of a communication processing circuit 409a and an antenna 409b.

[0129] The processor 406a of the information processing device 406 is configured from a GPU or a CPU, and functions as a control unit that performs various calculations and controls based on various programs stored in the memory 406b. The processor 406a may be configured from a single GPU or CPU, or may be configured from a combination of multiple CPUs or GPUs.

[0130] The memory 406b is composed of ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory, HDD, etc., and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores a trained estimation model required to estimate the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1. The RAM is used to write and read data while the program stored in the ROM is being processed by the processor 406a. The nonvolatile memory is a storage device to which data is written and read as the program is executed, and the data written therein is retained even after the execution of the program has ended.

[0131] In particular, in this embodiment, a program for estimating the priming time of a blood purification apparatus 1 that purifies a patient's blood is stored. The program causes the computer to execute a process of inputting acquired data (identification data, bubble data, and calculation data) received from each blood purification apparatus 1 into a trained estimation model that has undergone machine learning to estimate the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1, and acquiring estimated data that is the remaining time required for priming the blood purification apparatus 1. Furthermore, the program causes the computer to execute a process of generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1 based on the remaining time. The process executed by the program will be described later.

[0132] Furthermore, in order to enable management of multiple blood purification apparatuses 1, data for identifying each blood purification apparatus 1 is stored in memory 406b.

[0133] The communication unit 409 transmits and receives information to and from the blood purification apparatus 1 or the mobile terminal device 500, which are installed at a distance from the server device 400, via the communication processing circuit 409a and the antenna 409b.

[0134] The communication processing circuit 409a may execute processing based on a wideband wireless communication system such as the LTE system. The communication processing circuit 409a may also execute processing based on a system related to narrowband wireless communication such as a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Furthermore, the communication processing circuit 409a may execute processing based on a system related to contactless wireless communication. The communication processing circuit 409a may also use wired communication instead of or in addition to such wireless communication.

[0135] 21, the information processing device 406 has an estimation unit 451, a control unit 452, and a storage unit 453. The estimation unit 451 includes a trained estimation model 456. These units are realized by the processor 406a and memory 406b of the information processing device 406 functioning themselves, or by the processor 406a reading and executing a program stored in the memory 406b.

[0136] The estimation unit 451 inputs the received acquired data into the trained estimation model 456 and acquires the remaining time, which is the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1. Here, the remaining time is the time required until the completion of priming.

[0137] The trained estimation model 456 according to this embodiment is the same as the trained estimation model 56 according to the first embodiment, and is generated using the same training data and machine learning. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] Thereafter, when the estimation unit 451 acquires the remaining time that is the output result of the trained estimation model 456, the estimation unit 451 transmits the remaining time to the control unit 452. The control unit 452 generates display data to be displayed as the priming time based on the remaining time, and transmits the display data to the communication unit 409. Furthermore, when the control unit 452 determines from the estimated priming time that priming is not being performed normally, the control unit 452 may add data for announcing an abnormality to the display data.

[0139] The communication unit 409 transmits the received display data to the blood purification apparatus 1 that transmitted the acquired data. The communication unit 409 also transmits the received display data to the portable terminal device 500. This allows the administrator of the blood purification apparatus 1 to check the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1, which is displayed on the display 4 of the blood purification apparatus 1 or on the portable terminal device 500 that the administrator operates.

[0140] (Modification of the second embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the priming time is estimated in the server device 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a trained estimation model may be implemented in the information processing device of the mobile terminal device 500, and the estimation process may be executed.

[0141] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the blood purification device 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but this is not limiting. For example, the blood purification device included in the blood purification system 300 may be a type that does not produce dialysis fluid. In this case, the blood purification system 300 will have a device for adjusting the dialysis fluid. Examples of devices for adjusting the dialysis fluid include a dialysis water preparation device, a dissolving device that mixes RO water and two types of dialysates, and a dialysis fluid supply device that adjusts the concentration of the dialysis fluid and supplies it to each blood purification device.

[0142] (Operation and effect of the second embodiment) In this embodiment, when acquired data including identification data of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, temperature and pressure data, and bubble data is input to the trained estimation model 456, which has been generated by machine learning in association with the type data of the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, basic priming time data, bubble reduction amount data, and usage environment data, the trained estimation model 456 estimates the priming time of the blood purification apparatus 1. In particular, in this embodiment, the trained estimation model 456 estimates the remaining time required for priming multiple times. As a result, the remaining time corresponding to the progress of priming is updated, and a more accurate remaining time is reported. Furthermore, because the trained estimation model 456 has been generated by machine learning in association with the various data described above, it is possible to estimate the priming time with higher accuracy.

[0143] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the estimation process is performed in a device different from the blood purification device 1, and the results of the estimation process are managed in a unified manner. This allows for unified management of data related to the priming times of multiple blood purification devices 1, making it easier to grasp and manage the priming times of multiple blood purification devices 1 installed in a medical institution, and to perform maintenance and inspection of the blood purification devices 1.

[0144] Third Embodiment In the first embodiment, the priming time was estimated using a trained estimation model 56 using AI. However, the priming time may be estimated using table data without using AI. Such a case will be described as the third embodiment with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25 and 10. Here, FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of the blood purification apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 23 shows table data stored in a memory according to this embodiment. FIG. 24 is a graph showing the relationship between the elapsed priming time and the amount of bubbles in the circuit according to this embodiment. FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram related to the estimation of the priming time in the blood purification apparatus according to this embodiment. Note that differences from the first embodiment will be primarily described, and descriptions of the same content will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.

[0145] 22, the information processing device 6 has an estimation unit 251, and the function of the estimation unit 251 is realized by the processor 6a of the information processing device 6 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 6b. Similar to the estimation unit 51 of the first embodiment, the estimation unit 251 receives identification data from the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, bubble data from the bubble detector 60, and input data from the input unit 4a.

[0146] The estimation unit 251 transmits each received data received via the communication unit 9 or the reading unit 10 to the memory unit 253 for storage. To estimate the priming time, the estimation unit 251 receives table data stored in the memory unit 253, compares the table data with the identification data included in the received data to extract an initial display time for the priming time, and performs estimation processing to determine the initial display time as the remaining time. Furthermore, the estimation unit 251 performs estimation processing to correct the initial display time according to the amount of air bubbles reduced in the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device 1, and subtracts the predetermined time from the corrected initial display time to determine the remaining time. Details of the table data and estimation processing related to this estimation will be described later. Then, as in the first embodiment, the estimation unit 251 transmits the estimated remaining time to the control unit 52.

[0147] The storage unit 253 stores each received data in the memory 6b. The storage unit 253 also stores table data, which will be described later, and transmits the table data to the estimation unit 251 in response to a request from the estimation unit 251. The storage unit 253 stores the table data shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment as one of the table data. That is, the storage unit 253 has data on an initial setting time that is uniquely determined by the type of blood purifier 5 and the type of extracorporeal circulation circuit L20.

[0148] The storage unit 253 also has table data for correcting the initial set time of the priming time, as shown in Fig. 23. In Fig. 23, for each initial set time determined in Fig. 10, a time for correcting the initial set time is uniquely determined according to the amount of reduction in air bubbles in the circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed. The table data corresponds to, for example, the graph shown in Fig. 24. In Fig. 24, graphs C11 to C15 are displayed, with the horizontal axis representing the elapsed priming time and the vertical axis representing the amount of air bubbles in the circuit. Here, graph C13 corresponds to the case where the type of extracorporeal circuit L20 in Fig. 10 is a1 and the type of blood purifier is b3, and therefore the elapsed priming time at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero is h3.

[0149] 24, graphs C11 and C12 show graphs obtained by decreasing the priming time from graph C13, while graphs C14 and C15 show graphs obtained by increasing the priming time from graph C13. Graphs C11, C12, C14, and C15 are graphs obtained by correcting graph C13 to correspond to the amount of air bubbles in the circuit. For graphs C11, C12, C14, and C15, the elapsed priming times at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero are H311, H312, H314, and H315.

[0150] As shown in Figure 24, the amount of reduction in air bubbles in the circuit at a predetermined time C when approximately one-third of the priming elapsed time h3 has elapsed is shown as d1 in graph C11, d2 in graph C12, d3 in graph C13, d4 in graph C14, and d5 in graph C15. These reductions d1 to d5 match the reductions in the amount of air bubbles in the circuit in Figure 23. In the column for the initial set time (priming elapsed time) h3, if the reduction amount is d1, the correction time for the initial set time is H311; if the reduction amount is d2, the correction time for the initial set time is H312; if the reduction amount is d4, the correction time for the initial set time is H314; and if the reduction amount is d5, the correction time for the initial set time is H315. On the other hand, if the reduction amount is d3, no correction of the initial set time is necessary, and the correction time remains h3.

[0151] Next, a flow of estimating a priming time according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will basically be omitted.

[0152] 25, first, preparation for attachment of the blood purifier 5 to the blood purification apparatus 1 is performed (S112), and the identification data of the blood purifier 5 stored in the IC tag is transmitted from the blood purifier 5 to the information processing device 6 (T111). Further, preparation for attachment of the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 of the blood purification apparatus 1 is performed (S113), and the identification data of L20 stored in the IC tag is transmitted from the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 to the information processing device 6 (T112).

[0153] Next, the information processing device 6 performs a storage process of the received identification data (S210). Specifically, the estimation unit 51 of the information processing device 6 transmits the received data, that is, the identification data, to the storage unit 53, and the storage unit 53 stores the identification data in the memory 6b.

[0154] Next, the information processing device 6 refers to the table data stored in the memory 6b and estimates the priming time using the received identification data (S211). Specifically, the estimation unit 251 of the information processing device 6 compares the received identification data with table data (see FIG. 10) in which initial priming times are set corresponding to the types of blood purifier 5 and extracorporeal circulation circuit L20, extracts an initial display time for the priming time, and sets the initial display time as the remaining time required for priming. Thereafter, the information processing device 6 performs a process of generating display data for notifying the administrator of the blood purification device 1 of the remaining priming time of the blood purification device 1 (S122).

[0155] Next, a button on the display 4 is operated (S117). Then, this button operation causes a start instruction, which is a control request for starting priming, to be sent to the information processing device 6 (T114). Thereafter, when the information processing device 6 receives the start instruction, the processor 6a executes a priming program stored in the memory 6b and controls each of the components of the internal piping unit 7 and the extracorporeal circulation unit 8. As a result, the dialysate is supplied as a priming solution from the internal piping unit 7 to the extracorporeal circulation unit 8, and filling of the priming solution into the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 begins (S118).

[0156] Next, the information processing device 6 transmits display data and a control signal to the display 4 (T116). After that, the display 4 displays the priming time based on the received display data from the output unit 4b (S123).

[0157] Next, bubble detection in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 (S124), transmission of bubble data to the information processing device 6 (T117), and data storage in the information processing device 6 (S125) are continuously performed. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the remaining time, which is the priming time, is re-estimated and the priming time is corrected (S212). Specifically, the estimation unit 251 refers to the table data shown in FIG. 23 and corrects the initial display time according to the amount of bubble reduction in the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device 1. The estimation unit 251 then subtracts the predetermined time from the corrected initial display time to complete the estimation as the corrected remaining time. Note that in this embodiment, the timing (predetermined time C) is assumed to be the time when approximately one-third of the priming elapsed time h3 corresponding to graph C3 in FIG. 24 has elapsed (predetermined time C), but any other time may be set.

[0158] Next, the information processing device 6 generates display data to notify the administrator of the blood purification device 1 of the remaining priming time of the blood purification device 1 (S127). After that, the information processing device 6 transmits the display data and a control signal to the display 4 (T118). Then, the display 4 displays the priming time based on the received display data from the output unit 4b (S128).

[0159] (Modification of the third embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, after the remaining priming time is displayed once and priming has progressed to a certain extent, the remaining time is re-estimated according to the amount of reduction in air bubbles in the circuit, but the initial displayed time may be corrected according to the amount of reduction in air bubbles in the circuit. This case will be described below as a modified example of the third embodiment with reference to Figures 26 to 28.

[0160] First, the memory unit 253 stores the table data shown in FIG. 26 in addition to the table data shown in FIG. 10 and the table data shown in FIG. 23. The table data shown in FIG. 26 is data in which a correction time is set to correct the initial setting time of the priming time. In FIG. 26, for each initial setting time determined in FIG. 10, a time for correcting the initial setting time is uniquely determined according to the amount of air bubbles in the circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed. The table data corresponds to, for example, the graph shown in FIG. 27. In FIG. 27, graphs C13, C21, C22, C24, and C25 are displayed, with the horizontal axis representing the elapsed priming time and the vertical axis representing the amount of air bubbles in the circuit. Here, graph C13 corresponds to the case in FIG. 10 where the type of the extracorporeal circuit L20 is a1 and the type of the blood purifier is b3, and the elapsed priming time at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero is h3.

[0161] In FIG. 27, graphs C21 and C22 show priming times that are decreased relative to graph C13, while graphs C24 and C25 show priming times that are increased relative to graph C13. Furthermore, graphs C21, C22, C24, and C25 show graph C13 modified to correspond to the amount of air bubbles in the circuit. Here, in graph C21, the priming elapsed time at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero is reduced by t2 compared to graph C13. Similarly, in graph C22, the priming elapsed time at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero is reduced by t1 compared to graph C13. Meanwhile, in graph C24, the priming elapsed time at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero is increased by t1 compared to graph C13. Similarly, in graph C25, the priming elapsed time at which the amount of air bubbles in the circuit becomes zero is increased by t2 compared to graph C13.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 27, the amount of reduction in air bubbles in the circuit at a predetermined time D (e.g., 1 minute) when approximately 1 / 10 of the priming elapsed time h3 has elapsed is shown as D1 in graph C21, D2 in graph C22, D3 in graph C13, D4 in graph C24, and D5 in graph C25. These reduction amounts D1 to D5 correspond to the amount of reduction in air bubbles in the circuit in FIG. 26. In the column for the initial set time h3, if the reduction amount is D1, the correction time for the initial set time is minus t2; if the reduction amount is D2, the correction time for the initial set time is minus t1; if the reduction amount is D4, the correction time for the initial set time is plus t1; and if the reduction amount is D5, the correction time for the initial set time is plus t2. On the other hand, if the reduction amount is D3, no correction of the initial set time is necessary, and the correction time is zero.

[0163] The estimation unit 251 refers to the bubble data relating to the amount of bubbles reduced in a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) after the start of priming and the table data, and corrects the initial remaining time that is not displayed on the output unit 4b. That is, the estimation unit 251 corrects the initial display time according to the amount of bubbles reduced in the extracorporeal circuit L20 after the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device 1, and performs processing to set the corrected initial display time as the remaining time.

[0164] Next, a flow of estimating the priming time according to a modified example of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 28. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will basically be omitted.

[0165] 28, when the dialysate is supplied as a priming solution from the internal piping unit 7 to the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 and filling of the priming solution into the blood purifier 5 and the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 begins (S118), air bubble detection is performed in the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 (S119). Then, the air bubble detectors 22 and 28 of the extracorporeal circulation unit 8 transmit bubble data, which is the detection result, to the information processing device 6 (T115).

[0166] Next, the information processing device 6 performs a storage process for the received bubble data (S120). Thereafter, the information processing device 6 corrects the priming time estimated in S211 based on the received bubble data (S261). Specifically, the estimation unit 251 references the received bubble data and the table data shown in FIG. 26 and extracts a correction time corresponding to the bubble data from the table data. Then, the estimation unit 251 adds or subtracts the correction time from the initial display time estimated in S211, and estimates the corrected initial display time as the remaining time.

[0167] Next, the information processing device 6 generates display data to notify the administrator of the blood purification device 1 of the remaining priming time of the blood purification device 1 (S122). After that, the information processing device 6 transmits the display data and a control signal to the display 4 (T116). Then, the display 4 displays the priming time based on the received display data from the output unit 4b (S123).

[0168] In the third embodiment, the priming time was estimated using table data based on the first embodiment, but the priming time may also be estimated using table data based on the second embodiment.

[0169] (Operation and effect of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, the priming time is estimated without using a trained estimation model, which eliminates the time and expense of generating a trained estimation model through machine learning, and allows for a configuration that performs priming time estimation processing at lower cost.

[0170] In the above-described embodiments, a blood purification apparatus 1 that performs hemodialysis (HD), a typical type of dialysis treatment, was envisioned, but the processing of each embodiment can also be applied to various blood purification apparatuses that have a priming process. For example, the processing of each embodiment can also be applied to blood purification apparatuses that are capable of continuous slow hemofiltration therapy (CRRT), plasma exchange therapy, adsorption blood purification therapy, apheresis therapy, and plasma purification (double filtration or plasma adsorption).

[0171] In each embodiment, the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 is configured from the arterial blood circuit L21 and the venous blood circuit L22 located outside the blood purification apparatus 1. However, the extracorporeal circulation circuit L20 is not limited to two blood circuits. For example, in a home dialysis apparatus, if a dialysis circuit is also located outside the blood purification apparatus in addition to the blood circuit, the dialysis circuit is also included in the extracorporeal circulation circuit. However, even in a home dialysis apparatus, the extracorporeal circulation circuit may be configured only from the blood circuit. In addition, in an acute blood purification apparatus such as the one described above, the extracorporeal circulation circuit also includes a dialysis circuit, a replacement fluid circuit, and a drainage fluid circuit, which are consumables, in addition to the blood circuit. Furthermore, in a chronic hemodialysis apparatus, the extracorporeal circulation circuit is configured only from the blood circuit. In other words, although the circuits that make up the extracorporeal circulation circuit vary depending on the type of blood purification apparatus, the extracorporeal circulation circuit is configured from consumable circuits located outside the blood purification apparatus.

[0172] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the priming time is estimated using identification data set according to the type of the blood circuit, which is an example of the extracorporeal circulation circuit, but the priming time may be estimated using identification data set according to the type of the dialysate circuit, which is another example of the extracorporeal circulation circuit, or the priming time may be estimated using identification data set according to the types of both circuits. In this way, when the type of the dialysate circuit is utilized, naturally, various data such as the type of the dialysate circuit are acquired by various methods, such as a method using an IC tag, reception from another device, or input from a display, just as in the case of the blood circuit.

[0173] <Embodiments of the present disclosure> A first embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that estimates the priming time of a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, and includes: an estimation unit that acquires identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device and estimates the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device based on the identification data; and a control unit that generates display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time.

[0174] In this way, the remaining time corresponding to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit is estimated using identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit, making it possible to estimate the priming time more accurately according to the settings of the blood purification device.

[0175] In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first embodiment, the estimation unit is provided in the main body of the blood purification device and corrects the remaining time based on bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit. This makes it possible to estimate the remaining time based not only on the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit but also on the actual amount of air bubble reduction, thereby further improving the accuracy of priming time estimation.

[0176] A third embodiment of the present disclosure is the first or second embodiment, wherein the estimation unit inputs the identification data into a trained estimation model that has undergone machine learning to estimate the priming time, obtains an initial display time of the priming time, and sets the initial display time as the remaining time. This improves the estimation accuracy of the trained estimation model, and enables the output of a more reliable remaining time.

[0177] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is the third embodiment, in which the trained estimation model is generated by machine learning by associating data on the type of blood purifier, data on the type of extracorporeal circulation circuit, and basic priming time data. This improves the learning accuracy of the trained estimation model, enabling the output of a more reliable remaining time.

[0178] In a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fourth embodiment, the trained estimation model is generated by machine learning the amount of bubble reduction in the extracorporeal circulation circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device, in association with data on the type of the blood purifier, data on the type of the extracorporeal circulation circuit, and basic priming time data, and the estimation unit inputs the bubble data together with the identification data into the trained estimation model. This improves the learning accuracy of the trained estimation model and enables the output of a more reliable remaining time.

[0179] In a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fifth embodiment, the estimation unit inputs the bubble data obtained after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification apparatus into the trained estimation model, and the trained estimation model re-outputs the remaining time after the predetermined time has elapsed based on the bubble data. This makes it possible to estimate the remaining time according to the progress of priming and output a remaining time with higher reliability.

[0180] A seventh embodiment of the present disclosure is the fifth or sixth embodiment, in which the estimation unit additionally inputs the bubble data after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device into the trained estimation model, and sets the acquired initial display time as the remaining time. This makes it possible to output a more reliable remaining time, taking into account the initial state of priming.

[0181] An eighth embodiment of the present disclosure is any of the fourth to seventh embodiments, in which the trained estimation model is generated by machine learning the temperature data and pressure data of the blood purification device in association with the blood purifier type data, the extracorporeal circulation circuit type data, and basic priming time data, and the estimation unit inputs the temperature data and the pressure data together with the identification data to the trained estimation model. This improves the learning accuracy of the trained estimation model and enables the output of a more reliable remaining time.

[0182] A ninth embodiment of the present disclosure is any one of the fourth to eighth embodiments, in which, when the priming of the blood purification device is completed, the estimation unit performs additional training of the trained estimation model using data related to the completed priming. This improves the training accuracy of the trained estimation model and enables the output of a more reliable remaining time.

[0183] A tenth embodiment of the present disclosure is the first or second embodiment, in which the estimation unit extracts an initial display time of the priming time by comparing the identification data with table data in which the priming time is set corresponding to the type of the blood purifier and the extracorporeal circulation circuit, and sets the initial display time as the remaining time. This makes it possible to estimate the priming time without using a trained estimation model, thereby reducing the preparation costs required to estimate the priming time.

[0184] In an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure, in the tenth embodiment, the estimation unit corrects the initial display time according to the amount of air bubbles reduced in the extracorporeal circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device, and subtracts the predetermined time from the corrected initial display time to obtain the remaining time. This makes it possible to estimate the remaining time according to the progress of priming, and to output a more reliable remaining time.

[0185] In a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the tenth or eleventh embodiment, the estimation unit corrects the initial display time according to the amount of bubbles reduced in the blood circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device, and sets the corrected initial display time as the remaining time. This allows for a more reliable estimation of the remaining time, taking into account the initial state of priming.

[0186] A thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method for estimating the priming time of a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, the information processing method comprising the steps of: acquiring identification data set according to the types of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device; estimating the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device based on the identification data; and generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time. In this way, the remaining time corresponding to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit is estimated using the identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit, enabling a more accurate estimation of the priming time corresponding to the settings of the blood purification device.

[0187] A fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is a program for estimating the priming time of a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, the program causing a computer to execute the following processes: acquire identification data set according to the types of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device, estimate the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device based on the identification data, and generate display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time. In this way, the remaining time corresponding to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit is estimated using the identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit, enabling more accurate estimation of the priming time corresponding to the settings of the blood purification device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0188] 1. Blood purification device 4. Display 4a Input section 4b Output section 5. Blood Purifier 6. Information processing equipment 6a processor 6b memory 7 Internal piping section 8 Extracorporeal Circulation Department 9. Communications Department 51 Estimation part 52 Control section 53 Memory section 55 Calculation section 56 Trained estimation models

Claims

1. An information processing device that estimates a priming time of a blood purification device that purifies the blood of a patient, an estimation unit that acquires identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device, and estimates the remaining time required for priming of the blood purification device as an initial display time based on the identification data; a control unit that generates display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time as the initial display time, The estimation unit is an information processing device that is provided in a main body of the blood purification device and corrects the remaining time as the initial display time based at least on bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit extracts the remaining time as the initial display time by comparing the identification data with table data in which the priming time is set corresponding to the type of the blood purifier and the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the estimation unit corrects the remaining time as the initial display time according to the amount of air bubbles reduced in the extracorporeal circulation circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device, and subtracts the predetermined time from the corrected remaining time as the initial display time to determine the priming time.

4. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the estimation unit corrects the remaining time as the initial display time in accordance with the amount of air bubbles reduced in the extracorporeal circulation circuit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of priming of the blood purification device, and the control unit generates the display data based on the corrected remaining time as the initial display time.

5. 1. An information processing method for estimating a priming time of a blood purification device that purifies the blood of a patient, comprising: acquiring identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit attached to the blood purification device; a step of estimating a remaining time required for priming the blood purification device as an initial display time based on the identification data; generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time as the initial display time; and correcting the remaining time as the initial display time based at least on air bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit.

6. A program for estimating a priming time of a blood purification device that purifies the blood of a patient, comprising: acquiring identification data set according to the type of blood purifier and extracorporeal circulation circuit to be attached to the blood purification device; estimating the remaining time required for priming the blood purification device as an initial display time based on the identification data; generating display data for displaying the priming time of the blood purification device based on the remaining time as the initial display time; a program for causing a computer to execute a process of correcting the remaining time as the initial display time based at least on bubble data received from an air bubble detector that detects air bubbles in the extracorporeal circulation circuit;

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