US4209402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Kidney dialysis filter washing process
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-07-12
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Granted: 1980-06-24
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Expires: 1997-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Kidney dialysis filters, or artificial kidneys, which contain a dialysis membrane mounted inside a housing and separating the housing into a blood side compartment and dialysate side compartment are washed for reuse by a process in which washing water is supplied to the blood side through an inlet hose, and exits through a remote, resiliently expandable and contractable outlet hose to a drain. After flushing of the blood side by water flow in this manner, the outlet is closed while continuing washing fluid feed, to build up fluid pressure inside the blood compartment, and then the fluid feed is interrupted. A drain in the inlet conduit is then opened to cause brief reversal of flow of fluid within the blood side, due to relaxation of the membrane and the outlet hose to relieve the fluid pressure. Then steady flow of fluid is resumed. This brief reversal of flow causes a fluid action to dislodge contaminating blood particles from the membrane and elsewhere.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Gentles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:08
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D65/00; B01D65/02; B01D65/022; B01D2321/00; B01D2321/20; B01D2321/2083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
Apparatus for washing an artificial kidney of the type comprising a housing, a first, blood compartment, a second dialysate compartment and a flexible filter membrane separating said first and second compartments and constituting a side wall of said first compartment, a fluid inlet for said first compartment, a fluid outlet for said first compartment, said inlet and said outlet communicating with the first compartment at locations remote from one another, said apparatus comprising: a fluid inlet hose adapted to communicate with said fluid inlet; a washing fluid inlet branch communicating with the fluid inlet hose and adapted to supply washing fluid to said first compartment for circulation therethrough in contact with one side of said flexible filter membrane; a pressure regulator valve in said washing fluid inlet branch, adapted to regulate fluid pressures therein; first valve means in said washing fluid inlet branch adapted to open and close fluid communication therethrough; a drain branch communicating with the fluid inlet hose; second valve means in said drain branch adapted to open and close fluid communication therethrough; a fluid outlet hose which has a section which is resiliently expandable and contractable in response to fluid pressure changes in said first compartment, said outlet hose being adapted to communicate with said outlet and provide for discharge of the washing fluid from the first compartment to maintain circulation of the fluid in contact with one side of the membrane; third valve means in said fluid outlet hose adapted to open and close fluid communication therethrough; operating means for opening and closing the first, second and third valve means; timing means controlling said operating means and arranged to actuate said operating means for opening and closing the first, second and third valve means in a predetermined sequence and for predetermined time intervals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
Apparatus for washing an artificial kidney of the type comprising a housing, a first, blood compartment, a second dialysate compartment and a flexible filter membrane separating said first and second compartments and constituting a side wall of said first compartment, a fluid inlet for said first compartment, a fluid outlet for said first compartment, said inlet and said outlet communicating with the first compartment at locations remote from one another, said apparatus comprising: a fluid inlet hose adapted to communicate with said fluid inlet; a washing fluid inlet branch communicating with the fluid inlet hose and adapted to supply washing fluid to said first compartment for circulation therethrough in contact with one side of said flexible filter membrane; a pressure regulator valve in said washing fluid inlet branch, adapted to regulate fluid pressures therein; first valve means in said washing fluid inlet branch adapted to open and close fluid communication therethrough; a drain branch communicating with the fluid inlet hose; second valve means in said drain branch adapted to open and close fluid communication therethrough; a fluid outlet hose which has a section which is resiliently expandable and contractable in response to fluid pressure changes in said first compartment, said outlet hose being adapted to communicate with said outlet and provide for discharge of the washing fluid from the first compartment to maintain circulation of the fluid in contact with one side of the membrane; third valve means in said fluid outlet hose adapted to open and close fluid communication therethrough; operating means for opening and closing the first, second and third valve means; timing means controlling said operating means and arranged to actuate said operating means for opening and closing the first, second and third valve means in a predetermined sequence and for predetermined time intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid inlet hose has a third branch communicating therewith, and adapted to supply sterilizing fluid to said housing, fourth valve means in said third branch adapted to open and close communication therethrough, operating means for said fourth valve means, said operating means also being controlled by said timing means, and wherein said fluid inlet hose also has a section which is resiliently expandable and contractable in response to fluid pressure changes in said first compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second, dialysate compartment has fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means, and further including a second fluid inlet hose and a second fluid outlet hose conduit adapted for attachment respectively to said fluid inlet and fluid outlet means of the second compartment, said second fluid outlet hose having a valved washing fluid inlet branch, a valved drain branch and a valved sterilizing solution inlet branch, said second fluid outlet hose having a valved washing fluid inlet branch, a valved drain branch, and a valved blood solvent inlet branch; and operating means for opening and closing the valves in said branches of said second fluid inlet hose and said second fluid outlet hose conduit; said operating means being controlled by said timing means for opening and closing thereof in predetermined sequence and for predetermined time intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein all of the valves associated with the first and second fluid inlets and first and second fluid outlets are solenoid operated valves, said operating means comprising solenoids adapted to be energized in predetermined sequence and for predetermined time intervals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |