Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controlling and maintaining the parity of dialysis liquid quantities at the inlet and outlet of a dialysis liquid circuit connected to a haemodialyser, the dialysis liquid circuit having sensing means, positioned upline and downline of the haemodialyser, for measuring the quantity of the circulating dialysis liquid, and at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid, comprising the steps of: measuring, with the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the inlet of the liquid circuit; measuring, with the downline sensing means and concurrently with measuring the flow in the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the outlet of the liquid circuit; generating signals in accordance with the measured flows in the upline and downline sensing means; comparing the signals representative of the flow through the upline sensing means and the flow through the downline sensing means and generating a signal in accordance with the comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; and controlling the operation of said at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid flowing through the upline sensing means and the downline sensing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controlling and maintaining the parity of dialysis liquid quantities at the inlet and outlet of a dialysis liquid circuit connected to a haemodialyser, the dialysis liquid circuit having sensing means, positioned upline and downline of the haemodialyser, for measuring the quantity of the circulating dialysis liquid, and at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid, comprising the steps of: measuring, with the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the inlet of the liquid circuit; measuring, with the downline sensing means and concurrently with measuring the flow in the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the outlet of the liquid circuit; generating signals in accordance with the measured flows in the upline and downline sensing means; comparing the signals representative of the flow through the upline sensing means and the flow through the downline sensing means and generating a signal in accordance with the comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; and controlling the operation of said at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid flowing through the upline sensing means and the downline sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1, including the further step of extracting, at an extraction connection in the dialysis liquid circuit, an quantity of dialysis liquid substantially equal to the quantity of ultrafiltrate withdrawn from the blood.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for controlling and maintaining the parity of dialysis liquid quantities at the inlet and outlet of a dialysis liquid circuit connected to a haemodialyser, the dialysis liquid circuit having sensing means, positioned upline and downline of the haemodialyser, for measuring the quantity of the circulating dialysis liquid, and at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid, the method comprising the steps of: measuring, with the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the inlet of the liquid circuit; measuring, with the downline sensing means and concurrently with measuring the flow in the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the outlet of the liquid circuit; generating signals in accordance with the measured flows in the upline and downline sensing means; comparing the signals representative of the flow through the upline sensing means and the flow through the downline sensing means and generating a signal in accordance with the comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; controlling the operation of said at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid flowing through the upline sensing means and the downline sensing means; eliminating, with the isolation means, flow through the haemodialyser such that all liquid flow through the upline sensing means passes through the downline sensing means; and calibrating the upline sensing means and downline sensing means in accordance with the signal representative of the comparison of the respective measured quantities of dialysis liquid.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for controlling and maintaining the parity of dialysis liquid quantities at the inlet and outlet of a dialysis liquid circuit connected to a haemodialyser, the dialysis liquid circuit having sensing means, positioned upline and downline of the haemodialyser, for measuring the quantity of the circulating dialysis liquid, and at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid, the method comprising the steps of: measuring, with the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the inlet of the liquid circuit; measuring, with the downline sensing means and concurrently with measuring the flow in the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the outlet of the liquid circuit; generating signals in accordance with the measured flows in the upline and downline sensing means; comparing the signals representative of the flow through the upline sensing means and the flow through the downline sensing means and generating a signal in accordance with the comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; controlling the operation of said at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid flowing through the upline sensing means and the downline sensing means; eliminating, with the isolation means, flow through the haemodialyser such that all liquid flow through the upline sensing means passes through the downline sensing means; and calibrating the upline sensing means and downline sensing means in accordance with the signal representative of the comparison of the respective measured quantities of dialysis liquid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
285 words
A method for controlling and maintaining the parity of dialysis liquid quantities at the inlet and outlet of a dialysis liquid circuit connected to a haemodialyser, the dialysis liquid circuit having sensing means, positioned upline and downline of the haemodialyser, for measuring the quantity of the circulating dialysis liquid, and at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid, the method comprising the steps of: measuring, with the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the inlet of the liquid circuit; measuring, with the downline sensing means and concurrently with measuring the flow in the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the outlet of the liquid circuit; generating signals in accordance with the measured flows in the upline and downline sensing means; comparing the signals representative of the flow through the upline sensing means and the flow through the downline sensing means and generating a signal in accordance with the comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; controlling the operation of said at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid flowing through the upline sensing means and the downline sensing means; extracting, at an extraction connection in the dialysis liquid circuit, a quantity of dialysis liquid substantially equal to the quantity of ultrafiltrate withdrawn from the blood; eliminating, with the isolation means, flow through the haemodialyser and the extraction connection such that all liquid flow through the upline sensing means passes through the downline sensing means; and calibrating the upline and downline sensing means in accordance with the signal representative of the comparison of the respective measured quantities of dialysis liquid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
285 words
A method for controlling and maintaining the parity of dialysis liquid quantities at the inlet and outlet of a dialysis liquid circuit connected to a haemodialyser, the dialysis liquid circuit having sensing means, positioned upline and downline of the haemodialyser, for measuring the quantity of the circulating dialysis liquid, and at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid, the method comprising the steps of: measuring, with the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the inlet of the liquid circuit; measuring, with the downline sensing means and concurrently with measuring the flow in the upline sensing means, the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing at the outlet of the liquid circuit; generating signals in accordance with the measured flows in the upline and downline sensing means; comparing the signals representative of the flow through the upline sensing means and the flow through the downline sensing means and generating a signal in accordance with the comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; controlling the operation of said at least one means for displacing the dialysis liquid in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid flowing through the upline sensing means and the downline sensing means; extracting, at an extraction connection in the dialysis liquid circuit, a quantity of dialysis liquid substantially equal to the quantity of ultrafiltrate withdrawn from the blood; eliminating, with the isolation means, flow through the haemodialyser and the extraction connection such that all liquid flow through the upline sensing means passes through the downline sensing means; and calibrating the upline and downline sensing means in accordance with the signal representative of the comparison of the respective measured quantities of dialysis liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
182 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of the blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; and means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
182 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of the blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; and means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
217 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and wherein said means for displacing the dialysis liquid includes a first and second pump means, said first pump means being positioned upline of said haemodialyser and said second pump means being positioned downline of said haemodialyser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
217 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and wherein said means for displacing the dialysis liquid includes a first and second pump means, said first pump means being positioned upline of said haemodialyser and said second pump means being positioned downline of said haemodialyser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
213 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and means for withdrawing a portion of the dialysis liquid flowing through the circuit at an extraction connection, said withdrawn portion being substantially equal to the quantity of ultrafiltrate withdrawn from the blood.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
213 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and means for withdrawing a portion of the dialysis liquid flowing through the circuit at an extraction connection, said withdrawn portion being substantially equal to the quantity of ultrafiltrate withdrawn from the blood.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
An artificial kidney according to claim 7 including means for isolating said haemodialyser and said extraction connection such that when said haemodialyser and extraction connection are isolated all the liquid flow through said upline sensor flows through said downline sensor; and means for determining and recording a correction coefficient for calibrating said sensors in accordance with said measured flows in said upline and downline sensors when said haemodialyser and said extraction connection are isolated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An artificial kidney according to claim 7, wherein said means for withdrawing a portion of the dialysis liquid includes a pump means for drawing off said portion of dialysis liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An artificial kidney according to claims 5, 6, 7 or 9 wherein said means for displacing the dialysis liquid is an occluding pump.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
An artificial kidney according to claims 5, 6, 7 or 9 wherein said upline and downline sensing means for measuring the quantities of the circulating dialysis liquid include means for generating pulses, each pulse corresponding to the passage of a predetermined quantity of dialysis liquid through said respective sensing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
237 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of the blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and means for isolating the haemodialyser such that when said haemodialyser is isolated all the liquid flow through said upline sensor flows through said downline sensor, and means for determining and recording a correction coefficient for calibrating said sensors in accordance with said measured flows in said upline and downline sensors when said haemodialyser is isolated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
237 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of the blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and means for isolating the haemodialyser such that when said haemodialyser is isolated all the liquid flow through said upline sensor flows through said downline sensor, and means for determining and recording a correction coefficient for calibrating said sensors in accordance with said measured flows in said upline and downline sensors when said haemodialyser is isolated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An artificial kidney according to claims 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 or 8 including means, selectively positioned in said liquid circuit, for eliminating any gas bubbles present in the dialysis liquid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
242 words
An artificial kidney, comprising: a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of the blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; said upline and downline sensing means including means for generating pulses, each pulse corresponding to the passage of a predetermined quantity of dialysis liquid through said respective sensing means, and further including means for counting and recording said pulses emitted by said sensing means, and comparing the recorded number of pulses of each said sensing means during the same time period.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
242 words
An artificial kidney, comprising: a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of the blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; said upline and downline sensing means including means for generating pulses, each pulse corresponding to the passage of a predetermined quantity of dialysis liquid through said respective sensing means, and further including means for counting and recording said pulses emitted by said sensing means, and comparing the recorded number of pulses of each said sensing means during the same time period.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
An artificial kidney according to claim 14, wherein said means for displacing the dialysis liquid includes a first and second pump means, said first pump means being positioned upline of said haemodialyser and said second pump means being positioned downline of said haemodialyser.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
An artificial kidney according to claim 14, including means for withdrawing a portion of the dialysis liquid flowing through the circuit at an extraction connection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An artificial kidney according to claim 16, wherein said means for withdrawing a portion of the dialysis liquid includes a pump means for drawing off said portion of dialysis liquid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
190 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and means for calibrating said upline and downline sensing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
190 words
An artificial kidney comprising a haemodialyser containing at least a first and a second compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane for permitting dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, said first compartment being connected to a patient by an extracorporeal blood circuit, and said second compartment being connected to a dialysis liquid circuit; means for displacing the dialysis liquid through the circuit, and an upline and downline sensing means, positioned on opposite sides of said second compartment in said liquid circuit, for measuring the quantity of dialysis liquid flowing upline and downline of said haemodialyser and generating signals in accordance with said measured flows; means for comparing the signals representative of flow in the upline sensing means and the flow in the downline sensing means during the same measurement period, and for generating a signal in accordance with said comparison of the measured quantities of dialysis liquid; means for controlling the operation of said displacing means in response to the signal representative of the comparison of the quantities of dialysis liquid measured with said upline sensing means and said downline sensing means; and means for calibrating said upline and downline sensing means.