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Publication Number

US-12318518-B2

Patent

Publication Date

2025-06-03

Expiration Date


Abstract

A blood purification device for blood purification therapy performed through a blood purifier, the blood purification device includes piping; a plurality of sensors of different detection types that are provided on the piping; and a liquid chemical identification unit that identifies a type of a cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical flowing through the piping by using the plurality of sensors. The liquid chemical identification unit is configured to be able to identify types of the liquid chemicals of at least not less than the number of the plurality of sensors by using the plurality of sensors.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a blood purification device for blood purification therapy performed through a blood purifier. The device includes piping and a plurality of sensors of different detection types provided on the piping, including a conductivity sensor configured to measure conductivity of a liquid flowing through the piping and an absorbance sensor to measure absorption of ultraviolet light by the liquid flowing through the piping.

The device further includes a liquid chemical identification unit that identifies a type of a cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical flowing through the piping by using the plurality of sensors. The liquid chemical identification unit is configured to identify types of liquid chemicals of at least not less than a number of the plurality of sensors by using the plurality of sensors, and to discriminate chemical types using sensor outputs and comparisons with threshold/reference value ranges.

A cleaning/disinfection control unit is included to detect when the piping is filled with the identified cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical based on sensor detection results. The control unit controls chemical flow rate with an initial high flow before fill and a reduced flow after fill, and stops cleaning after a time period. The device also includes detection of liquid chemical replacement with dialysis water during pre-cleaning and post-cleaning, including detection that dialysate or liquid in the piping has been replaced with dialysis water.

Claims Coverage

The claim coverage defines a blood purification device with multiple different detection-type sensors on piping and a liquid chemical identification unit for identifying a cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical. The claim set also includes refinements for suitability-based sensor use, discrimination of more chemical types than the sensor count, cleaning/disinfection fill-state detection, and detection of replacement with dialysis water.

Liquid chemical identification using different detection sensors

A blood purification device comprising piping, a plurality of sensors of different detection types on the piping including a conductivity sensor measuring conductivity and an absorbance sensor measuring absorption of ultraviolet light, and a liquid chemical identification unit that identifies a type of a cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical flowing through the piping by using the plurality of sensors.

Sensor suitability determination for cleaning and disinfection

A liquid chemical identification approach in which the liquid chemical identification unit uses detection results to determine whether the liquid chemical is one suitable for cleaning/disinfection based on the type of the liquid chemical and the sensors.

Discriminating more chemical types than the sensor count

A configuration in which the liquid chemical identification unit identifies types of liquid chemicals of more than the number of the plurality of sensors by using a combination of detection results from the sensors.

Cleaning/disinfection control based on piping fill with the identified chemical

A cleaning/disinfection control unit configured to detect whether the piping is filled with a cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical during cleaning/disinfecting based on detection results from at least one of multiple sensors.

Detection of replacement with dialysis water

A cleaning/disinfection control unit configured to detect, using at least one of multiple sensors, whether dialysate or a chemical liquid in the piping has been replaced with dialysis water.

Threshold-based discrimination using conductivity and absorbance values

A configuration in which the liquid chemical identification unit compares detection values of the conductivity sensor and the absorbance sensor against per-liquid-chemical threshold values to identify the type of the liquid chemical.

The inventive features center on sensor-based identification of the cleaning/disinfection liquid chemical in piping, with threshold-based discrimination, suitability-based handling, discrimination of more chemical types than the sensor count, and control that detects fill state and replacement with dialysis water.

Stated Advantages

Simpler configuration and reduced cost by repurposing conventional conductivity/absorbance sensors for chemical identification.

Appropriate cleaning based on actually supplied chemical type to avoid inadequate or excessive disinfection.

Documented Applications

Cleaning/disinfection of piping in a blood purification device used for blood purification therapy through a blood purifier, including pre-cleaning and post-cleaning and detection of replacement of dialysate/chemical liquid with dialysis water.

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