Dextrose concentration sensor for a peritoneal dialysis system
Inventors
Hobot, Christopher M • Parari, Vijaya Kumar • Puviani, Fabrizio
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12329892-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
System and methods for sensing fluid characteristics of peritoneal dialysate infused into and removed from a patient during treatment are provided. The systems and methods can use an optical sensor including a transmitter light source operable to emit light through a fluid flow path and an optical receiver operable to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by the transmitter light source.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an optical refractive-index sensor integrated into a peritoneal dialysis system and cycler to measure dextrose concentration in peritoneal dialysis fluid. The sensor measures refractive index of the fluid in a peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path, and the control system receives the measured refractive index and determines a dextrose concentration of the fluid based on the refractive index.
The refractive index sensor includes a transmitter light source operable to emit light through the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path and an optical receiver operable to receive at least a portion of the light emitted and passing through the fluid. The sensor further includes an optical fiber defining a first end and a second end, where at least a portion of the optical fiber between the first end and the second end is disposed within the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path.
In alternative embodiments, the optical sensing includes a visible point light source and a CCD camera where the bend angle of light is proportional to refractive index, consistent with Snell’s law. The system architecture supports temperature-compensated calibration by integrating a temperature sensor so the control system determines dextrose concentration using refractive index and temperature.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a peritoneal dialysis system with a refractive-index sensor configured with optical transmitter/receiver and an optical fiber disposed in a fluid generation flow path, plus a control system that determines dextrose concentration from the measured refractive index. Additional independent claim coverage further narrows the system with specific optical components and temperature compensation, with control outputs based on a predetermined range.
Optical refractive-index sensing in a cycler flow path
A peritoneal dialysis system comprising a cycler configured to deliver fluid to a patient wherein at least a portion of the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path is disposed within the cycler, and at least one refractive index sensor disposed within the cycler to measure refractive index of the fluid in the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path, including a transmitter light source, an optical receiver, and an optical fiber defining a first end and a second end with at least a portion of the optical fiber between the first end and the second end disposed within the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path.
Dextrose concentration determination from refractive index
A control system programmed to receive a refractive index from the at least one refractive index sensor and determine a dextrose concentration of the fluid in the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path based on the refractive index.
Temperature-compensated dextrose determination
The system includes a temperature sensor communicating with the control system, where the control system determines the dextrose concentration in a peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path using the fluid’s refractive index and temperature.
Predetermined range alert based on dextrose concentration
The control system is programmed to generate an alert when the dextrose concentration in the peritoneal dialysis fluid flow path is outside a predetermined range.
Infrared transmitter and photodiode receiver
The transmitter light source is an infrared transmitter light emitting diode and the optical receiver is an infrared receiver photodiode.
Visible point light source with CCD camera bend-angle proportionality
A transmitter light source comprising a visible point light source and an optical receiver comprising a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, where the bend angle of light through the peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path is proportional to the fluid’s refractive index in that path.
Across the independent claim set, the inventive coverage centers on refractive-index sensing of peritoneal dialysis fluid within a cycler using an optical transmitter/receiver and optical fiber, or an alternative visible point light/CCD approach, and using the measured refractive index, optionally with temperature, to determine dextrose concentration. Additional refinements include infrared transmitter/photodiode implementation and control actions based on a predetermined range.
Stated Advantages
Enables determination of dextrose concentration in a peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path based on measured refractive index.
Supports temperature-compensated calibration by using refractive index and temperature to determine dextrose concentration.
Supports generating an alert when the determined dextrose concentration is outside a predetermined range.
Documented Applications
A peritoneal dialysis system/cycler that measures dextrose concentration using a refractive-index sensor integrated into the cycler’s peritoneal dialysis fluid generation flow path.
Control of dialysis fluid quality by comparing refractive-index-derived dextrose concentration to a predetermined range and potentially diverting unusable fluid to a drain line.
Downstream computation of infection level and/or treatment effectiveness based on system outputs.
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