Patent · US Expired

Hydraulic safety circuit for a hemodialysis apparatus

US5624551A · kind A · utility

81Cited by
10References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 1994
Grant dateApr 29, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7723
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A hemodialysis apparatus is supplied with dialysis fluid or a dialysis fluid component through a supply loop conduit 12. A shut-off device 22, such as a magnetic valve, is arranged between the apparatus and the supply conduit 12. A buffer volume is enclosed between the shut-off device and an additionally arranged shut-off device such as a non-return valve. During disinfection of the apparatus, in order to prevent disinfecting fluid from flowing back into the supply loop conduit and therewith an endangering other dialysis apparatus connected to the same supply loop conduit, in the event that the shut-off device 22 leaks, the buffer volume is pressurized to a defined pressure, which is preferably higher than the pressure in the surrounding conduit sections. This pressure is detected by a pressure sensor P. The signal generated by the pressure sensor P is monitored by a microprocessor 28. Preferably, the pressure necessary in the buffer volume is generated by a pump 36, which is already present in state of the art dialysis apparatus. In this context, the invention also provides for a suitable switching valve arrangement.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.