Method and device for detecting a leakage in a fluid system of a blood treatment apparatus

US6804991B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Klaus Balschat · Schweinfurt, DE
• Helmuth Ender · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Alfred Gagel · Litzendorf, DE
• Reiner Spickermann · Hammelburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 14, 2003
• Grant date: Oct 19, 2004
• Expiry date: May 10, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2205/50
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In order to detect a leakage in a fluid system of a blood treatment apparatus having an extracorporeal blood circuit, the pressure in the fluid system is measured continuously during a predetermined period of the duration of treatment, and the leak rates are calculated from the change in the pressure at predetermined time intervals of the predetermined period of the duration of treatment. The leakage volume in the predetermined period of the duration of treatment is calculated from the leak rates, and the leakage volume is compared with a predetermined limit value. If the leakage volume is greater than the limit value, this indicates a possible loss of leaktightness in the system. This can be verified with a conventional pressure-holding test. The method and device are characterized by the fact that it is not necessary in principle to interrupt the blood treatment in order to detect a loss of leaktightness.