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Publication Number
US-12303627-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
An assembly includes first and second assemblies, the first assembly including a frame defining a recess, a first plate disposed within the recess, and a bellows disposed between the first plate and an inner surface of the frame. The second assembly includes a second plate configured to be opposite the first plate when the first assembly is in a closed position relative to the second assembly. The first assembly is configured to move relative to the second assembly between an open position and the closed position, and a latch assembly configured to hold the first assembly to the second assembly in the closed position. The bellows is configured to inflate to apply a force to the first plate towards the second plate when the first assembly is in the closed position.
Core Innovation
The peritoneal dialysis cassette mounting assembly includes a first assembly with a frame defining a recess, a first plate disposed within the recess, and a bellows disposed between the first plate and an inner surface of the frame. The first assembly or door assembly moves relative to a second assembly between an open position and a closed position, and the bellows inflates to apply a force to the first plate towards a second plate when the first assembly or door assembly is in the closed position.
A latch bar attached to the second assembly cooperates with a latch assembly having first and second jaws. The first and second jaws receive the latch bar when open, close and hold the latch bar when latched closed, and hold the first assembly or door assembly in the closed position. The latch assembly also locks the first assembly or door assembly in the closed position when the bellows applies a force to the first plate.
An actuator extends a pin to mechanically engage and prevent the first and second jaws from opening while the bellows applies the force to the first plate, and retracts the pin to enable the first and second jaws to open while the bellows is not applying the force to the first plate. In the method, a peritoneal dialysis cassette is placed between the first plate and the second plate when the door assembly is in the closed position, and the bellows-applied force causes the first and second plates to apply a pressure to seal a cassette membrane to the peritoneal dialysis cassette and define one or more fluid flow paths within the peritoneal dialysis cassette.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00009, and clm-00016. Across these independent claims, the coverage is built around three inventive features: opposing plates with a bellows that applies force in a closed position, a latch assembly with first and second jaws and a latch bar that holds and locks the first assembly in the closed position under bellows force, and an actuator that extends and retracts a pin to prevent or allow jaw opening depending on whether bellows force is applied.
Opposing plate assemblies with a bellows applying force in a closed position
A first assembly comprising a frame defining a recess, a first plate disposed within the recess, and a bellows disposed between the first plate and an inner surface of the frame; a second assembly comprising a second plate configured to be opposite the first plate when the first assembly is in a closed position; wherein the first assembly is configured to move relative to the second assembly between an open position and the closed position; wherein the bellows is configured to inflate to apply a force to the first plate towards the second plate when the first assembly is in the closed position.
Latch bar and jaw latch that holds and locks the first assembly while bellows applies force
A latch bar attached to the second assembly; and a latch assembly configured to hold the first assembly to the second assembly in the closed position, the latch assembly comprising first and second jaws configured to receive the latch bar when the first and second jaws are open, wherein the first and second jaws are configured to close and hold the latch bar when the first and second jaws are latched closed, wherein the latch assembly is configured to hold the first assembly to the second assembly in the closed position when the first and second jaws are latched closed and holding the latch bar, and wherein the latch assembly is configured to lock the first assembly in the closed position when the bellows applies a force to the first plate.
Actuator-controlled pin that prevents jaw opening during bellows force and retracts to enable opening
An actuator configured to extend a pin configured to mechanically engage and prevent the first and second jaws from opening while the bellows applies a force to the first plate; wherein the actuator is configured to retract the pin to enable the first and second jaws to open while the bellows is not applying the force to the first plate.
Cassette sealing and defined fluid flow paths caused by bellows-applied plate pressure
The method comprising placing a peritoneal dialysis cassette in a peritoneal dialysis cassette mounting assembly; wherein the peritoneal dialysis cassette is placed between the first plate and the second plate when the door assembly is in the closed position; causing the bellows to inflate to cause the bellows to apply the force to the first plate towards the second plate upon inflation and when the door assembly is in the closed position; wherein the force causes the first and second plates to apply a pressure to seal a cassette membrane to the peritoneal dialysis cassette and define one or more fluid flow paths within the peritoneal dialysis cassette.
Across clm-00001, clm-00009, and clm-00016, the independent claims consistently require a bellows that inflates to apply force to a first plate towards an opposing second plate in a closed position, a jaw latch mechanism with a latch bar that holds and locks the first assembly when bellows force is applied, and an actuator that extends a pin to mechanically prevent jaw opening while bellows force is present and retracts it when bellows force is not present. The method claim further requires that the bellows-applied pressure seals a cassette membrane to the cassette and defines one or more fluid flow paths.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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