Reducing sorbent cartridge recharging requirements
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Publication Number
US-12329889-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing the burden of recharging on patients and caregivers are provided. The systems and methods use a microbe removal layer upstream of a sorbent cartridge in a sorbent-based dialysis system. The systems and methods can determine whether the bacterial content and remaining capacity of a non-recharged sorbent module are suitable for the sorbent module to be reused safely and effectively without recharging.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a sorbent-based dialysis system that includes a sorbent module containing at least zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate. A microbe removal layer is positioned upstream of the sorbent module to reduce bacterial and/or endotoxin levels entering reusable sorbent modules without requiring recharging between dialysis sessions.
A dialysis control system is programmed to calculate a remaining capacity of the sorbent module following a first dialysis session. The remaining capacity is determined as a function of at least a weight of a patient, and the control system also calculates an estimated capacity of the sorbent module required for a second dialysis session that follows the first dialysis session.
The system determines whether the sorbent module can be reused for the second dialysis session without recharging by comparing the remaining capacity of the sorbent module to the capacity required for the second dialysis session. The required capacity is based on at least an expected dialysate flow rate through the sorbent module and expected duration of the second dialysis session, and usability can be further constrained by preset value conditions and preset length of time related to recharge and prior-session timing.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims directed to a dialysis reuse system and a dialysis reuse method. Both independent claims share the same core inventive logic: compare remaining sorbent capacity, dependent on patient weight after a prior session, to required sorbent capacity for a subsequent session, based on expected dialysate flow rate and expected duration, to determine reuse without recharging.
Upstream microbe removal layer for a zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate sorbent module
A sorbent module containing at least zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate, with a microbe removal layer upstream of the sorbent module.
Remaining-capacity calculation based on patient weight after a first session
A control system programmed to calculate a remaining capacity of the sorbent module following a first dialysis session, wherein the remaining capacity is a function of at least a weight of a patient.
Estimated required capacity based on expected dialysate flow rate and expected duration
A control system programmed to calculate an estimated capacity of the sorbent module required for a second dialysis session following the first dialysis session, based on at least an expected dialysate flow rate through the sorbent module and expected duration of the second dialysis session.
Reuse decision without recharging based on remaining vs required capacity
A control system programmed to determine if the sorbent module can be reused for the second dialysis session, without recharging the sorbent module, based on the remaining capacity and the capacity required for the second dialysis session.
Reusable sorbent module method using remaining vs required capacity
Determining whether a first sorbent module containing zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate is useable in a present dialysis session when the first sorbent module was used in a prior dialysis session and during the prior dialysis session a microbe removal layer was upstream of the zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate; calculating a remaining capacity following the prior dialysis session as a function of at least a weight of a patient; calculating an estimated capacity required for the present dialysis session based on at least expected dialysate flow rate and expected duration; and determining if the first sorbent module can be reused without recharging based on remaining capacity and required capacity.
Across both independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on pairing an upstream microbe removal layer with a zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate sorbent module, and using a control system to decide reuse without recharging by comparing remaining capacity after a prior session to estimated required capacity for the next session.
Stated Advantages
Reduces or avoids recharging sorbent modules between sessions by enabling reuse based on calculated remaining capacity.
Documented Applications
Dialysis use cases that require reuse of modular zirconium oxide and/or zirconium phosphate sorbent cartridges or sorbent modules across sessions without recharging.
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