Dialysis apparatus

Claim 2

In a dialysis apparatus having a dialysate flow path comprising a first point and a second point, a dialysate recirculating pump in said path for circulating dialysate in said apparatus, the improvement comprising, a venturi means operatively interconnected with said pump and powered by said pump, with said venturi means being positioned at the first point in said flow path, said venturi means providing a negative pressure to cause desired flow of dialysate and reduced pressure in the dialysate at the second point in said flow path.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 and further comprising said venturi means comprising a restricted passageway adjacent an outlet of said recirculating pump, an aspirator passageway opening into said restricted passageway and means for adjusting the negative pressure provided to said dialysate to cause reduced pressure and desired flow thereof through a single pass dialyzer.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 1 and further comprising, means for adjusting said negative pressure, said means for adjusting comprising a flow restricting regulating valve and a passageway connected to said flow path.

Claim 5

A dialysis conversion system for converting a conventional single pass-recirculating coil dialysis apparatus for use with a single pass dialyzer, said conversion apparatus comprising a venturi means having connection means for connection with a recirculating pump carried in said coil dialysis apparatus, said venturi means being interconnected with conduiting to pressure regulating means and dialysate inlet means having means for connection of a single pass dialyzer therein so that said venturi means acts to provide negative pressure to cause desired flow and reduced pressure in dialysate passing through said dialyzer.

Claim 6

A dialysis conversion system for converting a conventional single pass-recirculating coil dialysis apparatus for use with a single pass dialyzer, said conversion apparatus comprising a venturi means having connection means for connection with a recirculating pump carried in said coil dialysis apparatus, said venturi means being interconnected with conduiting to pressure regulating means and dialysate inlet means having means for connection of a single pass dialyzer therein so that said venturi means acts to provide negative pressure to cause desired flow and reduced pressure in dialysate passing through said dialyzer.

Claim 7

A dialysis apparatus for selective use with single pass or single pass-recirculating artificial kidney dialyzers to provide for dialysate flow, said apparatus comprising, a housing, a dialysate canister open to the atmosphere and carrying a dialysate overflow means for limiting a level of dialysate in said canister, a dialysate flow conduit having a first inlet for connection to a source of fresh dialysate and an outlet opening for passing dialysate to said canister, a mounting in said canister for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer therein, recirculating pump means having a conduit interconnecting one portion of the canister with a second portion at said mounting for permitting dialysate recirculation therethrough, aspirator means interconnected with said recirculating pump means, said aspirator means being connected to a shunt passageway leading to a first shunt connector, a second shunt connector interconnected with said first-mentioned flow conduit, whereby operation of said recirculating pump provides negative pressure to dialysate in said shunt conduit when a single pass dialyzer is interconnected between said shunt connectors yet allows recirculation of dialysate in said canister when fluid flow through said second shunt conduit is blocked off while fluid flow through said first-mentioned flow conduit occurs.

Claim 8

A dialysis apparatus for selective use with single pass or single pass-recirculating artificial kidney dialyzers to provide for dialysate flow, said apparatus comprising, a housing, a dialysate canister open to the atmosphere and carrying a dialysate overflow means for limiting a level of dialysate in said canister, a dialysate flow conduit having a first inlet for connection to a source of fresh dialysate and an outlet opening for passing dialysate to said canister, a mounting in said canister for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer therein, recirculating pump means having a conduit interconnecting one portion of the canister with a second portion at said mounting for permitting dialysate recirculation therethrough, aspirator means interconnected with said recirculating pump means, said aspirator means being connected to a shunt passageway leading to a first shunt connector, a second shunt connector interconnected with said first-mentioned flow conduit, whereby operation of said recirculating pump provides negative pressure to dialysate in said shunt conduit when a single pass dialyzer is interconnected between said shunt connectors yet allows recirculation of dialysate in said canister when fluid flow through said second shunt conduit is blocked off while fluid flow through said first-mentioned flow conduit occurs.

Claim 9

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first and second shunt connectors are quick disconnect connectors.

Claim 10

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said shunt passageway has a negative pressure regulating conduit attached to a node thereof with a pressure regulating valve located in said pressure regulating conduit, whereby said valve permits adjustment of negative pressure produced by said aspirator means.

Claim 11

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising said pressure regulating conduit opening to a portion of said dialysis apparatus carrying dialysate.

Claim 12

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said aspirator means is interconnected with said recirculating pump at the outlet thereof before said mounting for detachably mechanically mounting an artificial kidney dialyzer.

Claim 13

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said canister is a transparent canister allowing detection of blood leaks to dialysate contained therein.

Claim 14

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said canister is a transparent canister allowing detection of blood leaks to dialysate contained therein.

Claim 15

A dialysis apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein, said dialysate flow conduit carries a flow meter and pressure relief valve therein and said second shunt connector is connected to said flow conduit at a point intermediate said pressure relief valve and said first inlet.