Method for regenerating adsorber and dialysis system
Inventors
Fujiwara, Masato • Nimura, Hiroshi • Yokoyama, Takayoshi
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12274820-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for regenerating an adsorber which has a porous body and does not have an enzyme includes a dialysis step, in which the adsorber is connected to a dialysate circulation unit to cause uremic substances within a dialysate to be adsorbed onto the adsorber, and a regenerating step, in which the uremic substances which are adsorbed on the adsorber are desorbed by regenerating water that flows in a regenerating water flow unit. A dialysis system is equipped with the dialysate circulation unit, the adsorber, which is connected to the dialysate circulation unit, and the regenerating water flow unit. The regenerating water flow unit is connectable to the adsorber.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a dialysis system in which blood is circulated between a shunt applied to a body of a patient and a dialyzer provided external to the body of the patient. The system includes an arterial blood circuit and a venous blood circuit connecting the dialyzer to the shunt via a first connection unit, and a dialysate circulation unit that circulates dialysate between the dialyzer and an adsorber.
The adsorber has a porous body and is not having an enzyme, such that uremic substances in the dialysate are adsorbed onto the adsorber. After a dialysis step is completed, uremic substances adsorbed on the adsorber are removed by regenerating water that circulates in a regenerating water flow unit.
The regenerating water flow unit comprises an electrolytic tank for electrolyzing urea contained in the regenerating water and a regenerating water control apparatus that returns the regenerating water to the adsorber after passing the electrolytic tank. A connection switching unit is used to detach the adsorber from the dialysate circulation unit and to detachably connect the regenerating water flow unit to the adsorber, so that the adsorbed uremic substances are removed by regenerating water.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a dialysis system and dialysis methods that combine an enzyme-free porous adsorber for uremic substances with a regenerating water flow unit in which urea is electrolyzed, together with detachable connection and connection switching arrangements. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are the adsorber structure, the electrolytic urea regeneration loop, and switching/detachability of connections between dialysate circulation, regenerating water flow, and blood circuit/shunt connection.
Enzyme-free porous adsorber for uremic substances removal
An adsorber comprising a porous body and not having an enzyme, configured to adsorb uremic substances in a dialysate onto the adsorber.
Electrolytic urea-based regenerating water flow unit
A regenerating water flow unit comprising an electrolytic tank for electrolyzing urea contained in regenerating water, and a regenerating water control apparatus that returns the regenerating water to the adsorber after passing the electrolytic tank to circulate in the regenerating water flow unit.
Detachable connection switching between dialysate and regenerating water
A connection switching unit configured to detach the adsorber from the dialysate circulation unit and detachably connect the regenerating water flow unit to the adsorber so that uremic substances adsorbed on the adsorber are removed by regenerating water.
Regenerating water connection unit alternately detachable for blood/shunt routing
The regenerating water flow unit comprises a second connection unit alternatively detachable to a first connection unit for detachably connecting a blood circuit of a blood circulation unit to a shunt.
Connection switching unit alternatively attachable to switch adsorber connection
A connection switching unit configured to be alternatively attachable to either of the dialysate circulation unit and the regenerating water flow unit in order to switch a connection of the adsorber with either of the dialysate circulation unit and the regenerating water flow unit, and wherein the regenerating water flow unit includes a connection unit which is detachable to the connection switching unit, and is connectable to the adsorber.
Method dialysis step and regenerating step using electrolyzed urea regenerating water
A dialysis step in which the adsorber is connected to the dialysate circulation unit to adsorb uremic substances in a dialysate onto the adsorber, and after the dialysis step is completed, a regenerating step of removing the uremic substances which are adsorbed on the adsorber by regenerating water that flows in the regenerating water flow unit.
Overall, the independent claims define an enzyme-free porous adsorber used for adsorbing uremic substances from dialysate, and a regenerating water flow unit in which urea is electrolyzed and then circulated back to the adsorber to remove the adsorbed uremic substances. Claim coverage further includes detachable and/or alternatively attachable connection structures to switch the adsorber between dialysate circulation and regenerating water flow, and in some embodiments a detachable connection arrangement that involves connecting the blood circuit to a shunt.
Stated Advantages
Efficient urea desorption and adsorber regeneration is demonstrated, including a near-zero urea exit concentration after a period described in the patent summary.
Mass balance indicates substantially all adsorbed urea is removed.
Omission/simplification of separate cleaning/disinfection is enabled by generating hypochlorous acid using chloride-containing regenerating water.
Documented Applications
Use in a dialysis system with external dialyzer where uremic substances in dialysate are adsorbed onto an enzyme-free porous adsorber and then removed by regenerating water.
Regenerating water disinfection/cleansing use case involving chloride-containing regenerating water for generating hypochlorous acid, enabling omission/simplification of a separate cleaning/disinfection step.
A urea electrolysis test demonstrating efficient urea desorption and adsorber regeneration, including near-zero urea exit concentration and mass balance results.
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