Peritoneal dialysis using pressurized chamber
Inventors
SHASHANKA JAIN, Belur Shanthakumar • ASHOKAN, Anoop Thirumattathil
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12447251-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A peritoneal dialysis system and method includes a control unit configured to enable a pressurization device to pressurize a pressure cavity to a pressure; cause a fluid valve to be opened when the pressure reaches a desired pressure to allow fluid communication with a flexible container located within the pressure cavity; cause a pressure within the pressure cavity to be measured after the fluid valve is opened; and determine that the flexible container is full of fluid or empty of fluid if the pressure within the pressure cavity after the fluid valve is opened becomes or remains at least substantially constant.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a peritoneal dialysis system that uses a pressure chamber to act on a flexible disposable container located within the pressure chamber. The system includes a disposable set with a flexible container, at least one source line, and at least one destination line. The pressure chamber is pressurized on the outside of the flexible container to a desired positive or negative motive fluid pressure, used to push fluid out of the flexible container through one of the destination lines or to pull fluid into the flexible container through one of the source lines.
A motive fluid pressurization device and a motive fluid pressure sensor are placed in operable communication with a control unit. The control unit repeats pressurizing the pressure chamber and uses the motive fluid pressure sensor to monitor the motive fluid pressure as fluid is pushed out or pulled into the flexible container.
The control unit is configured to repeat until the motive fluid pressure read becomes or remains at least substantially constant when it is attempted to push fluid out of the flexible container or pull fluid into the flexible container. This substantially constant motive fluid pressure is used to indicate that the flexible container is empty or full, respectively.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim requires a peritoneal dialysis system with five major components and a defining control behavior that repeats pressurization until motive fluid pressure becomes or remains at least substantially constant to indicate full or empty. Dependent claims narrow the line routing, pressure chamber construction, motive-fluid cylinder/piston with linear actuator, and sequencing/valving states for positive and negative pressure cycles, including actuator feedback to determine piston extension/retraction.
Pressurizing pressure chamber outside flexible container with positive or negative motive fluid pressure
The control unit pressurizes the pressure chamber on the outside of the flexible container to a desired positive or negative motive fluid pressure to push fluid out of the flexible container through one of the destination lines or pull fluid into the flexible container through one of the source lines, respectively.
Repeating until motive fluid pressure becomes or remains substantially constant to indicate full/empty
The control unit repeats pressurizing until a motive fluid pressure read by the motive fluid pressure sensor becomes or remains at least substantially constant when it is attempted to push fluid out of the flexible container or pull fluid into the flexible container, indicating that the flexible container is empty or full, respectively.
Source and destination lines with fresh and used routing
The system includes source lines and destination lines that correspond to supplying fresh peritoneal dialysis fluid via supply/patient line roles and removing used peritoneal dialysis fluid via drain/patient line roles.
Reusable pressure chamber sealed around a common line
The system includes a reusable pressure chamber that opens to receive the flexible container and closes to seal around a common line extending from the flexible container.
Motive fluid cylinder with piston and linear actuator
The motive fluid pressurization device includes a motive fluid cylinder, a piston inside the cylinder, and a linear actuator configured to extend and retract the piston.
Positive pressure sequence synchronized with passage and vent opening states
The control unit performs a positive-pressure cycle by retracting and extending a piston to pull motive fluid into a motive fluid cylinder and drive it into a pressure chamber while controlling a pressure chamber passage and a vent passage.
Actuator extension/retraction feedback to determine piston position
A feedback mechanism sends feedback to a control unit so the control unit determines how far a linear actuator has extended or retracted a piston.
Overall claim coverage centers on controlling motive-fluid pressurization applied outside a flexible container, using motive-fluid pressure sensing to detect when the sensed pressure becomes or remains at least substantially constant to indicate empty or full. Dependent features specify line roles, a reusable pressure chamber sealed around a common line, a motive-fluid cylinder/piston with a linear actuator, positive-pressure sequencing using pressure chamber passage and vent passage opening/closing states, and optional feedback to determine actuator extension/retraction.
Stated Advantages
Uses motive fluid pressure becoming or remaining at least substantially constant to indicate when the flexible container is empty or full.
Documented Applications
Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) system/cycler operation using positive and negative motive fluid pressure cycles to push fluid out of or pull fluid into a flexible disposable container.
Alternative CAPD embodiment using fresh and drain disposable bags with temperature control/heating feedback and associated fluid routing (UF reporting in CAPD context).
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