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Piedmont Renal Clinic, Pa

Alan M Peabody

Joel Frederic Jensen

Henry H Morton

Jeffrey J Shimon

James Thomas Boag

Olin S Anderson, Jr

Ted M Walters

An automated peritoneal dialysis system for performing continuous peritoneal dialysis is disclosed which includes a fluid circuit for delivering unsterilized dialysate from an uninterrupted supply, and a dialysate sterilization component having at least one in-line sterilization filter assembly disposed in the inflow line segment for realtime sterilization of the unsterilized dialysate during flow prior to patient delivery. A filter test component is operatively associated with the sterilization filter assembly for conducting a realtime integrity test on the filter assembly to test for a filter failure which would allow contaminants into the dialysate prior to patient delivery. If the filter fails the test, the fluid is discarded. In this manner, sterilization of fluid in realtime during a peritoneal dialysis process provides a high rate of dialysate exchange during repeated dialysate fill and drain cycles.

Automated peritoneal dialysis system and process with in-line sterilization of dialysate

A peritoneal dialysis system is illustrated of the continuous flow type which includes a reverse osmosis unit which prepares sterilized and filtered water for mixing with a sterilized dialysate in a dialysis production unit. The process includes proportioning water, dialysis concentrate, and dextrose to provide a dialysis fluid which is then heated and sterilized. The fluid may be accumulated in a reservoir which accumulates a desired amount of dialysis fluid as measured by a load cell which measures the weight of the fluid. The dialysis process may be used with a single or double catheter. A desired amount of fluid is delivered to the peritoneal cavity as measured by the load cell, and a desired amount of fluid is drained from the cavity as measured by a load cell into a drain reservoir so that a desired amount of peritoneal dialysis fluid is maintained in the cavity during dialysis. Alternately, or in addition, flowmeters are utilized to measure the flow rate of the fluid in and out of the peritoneal cavity, either simultaneously or cyclic, and control the amount of fluid in the cavity. Preferably, the process and system includes a double flow catheter in which the flow of dialysis fluid through the inflow passage and the outflow passage of the double flow catheter are simultaneous. During this time, the volume of fluid in the peritoneal cavity is monitored by an ultrasonic or other suitable sensor so that over extension of the cavity does not occur. In a preferred tidal dialysis regime, either the load cell and/or the flowmeter arrangement is utilized to fill the cavity with dialysis fluid, drain the cavity to a reserve volume, and refill the cavity with a tidal volume to provide a dialysis regime which includes a desired number of fill and partial drain cycles wherein a puddle of dialysis fluid always remains in the cavity.

Continuous peritoneal dialysis apparatus

A blood collection device is disclosed which includes a blood collection tube assembly and a collection container assembly. The collection tube assembly comprises a link of flexible tubing having a venipuncture needle carried on a first end and an outlet carried on a second end. A flow control valve is carried near the outlet end and blocks a central passage of the collection tube in a closed position. The collection container assembly includes an expandable plastic tube which may be expanded by an exterior spring to cause a slight vacuum in the container and assist the blood withdrawal tube. A transfer tube communicates with the interior of the collection container and includes a blunt needle on an inlet end. The blunt needle engages the flow control valve to open the valve and open and allow blood to flow outwardly after the venipuncture needle has been inserted into a vein. The collection tube may be left in the vein while the collection chamber is removed and replaced without the fear of blood spillage since the flow control valve will return to the closed position once the blunt needle is withdrawn.

Spill-proof blood collection device

A continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis system which includes a source (14) of dialysis fluid, and an inflow line (34) and outflow line (35) connected to a catheter (26) implanted in the peritoneal cavity (28). A fill pump (B) pumps dialysis fluid from the source to the catheter during a fill cycle. A drain pump C pumps fluid from the catheter to a drain during a drain cycle. A function of a volume of the dialysis fluid in the peritoneal cavity is detected by a manometer (D). A process controller (A) controls the fill and drain pumps in response to signals from a high fluid level detector (50) and a low fluid level detector (52) on a fluid column tube (48) to pump a calibrated fill volume of fluid into the cavity and a calibrated drain volume of fluid out of the cavity continuously in alternating fill and drain cycles in a manner that the fluid flows through the cavity generally with zero dwell time. In the process, an inflow volume of dialysis fluid pumped into the cavity is metered (36b) and an outflow volume of fluid pumped out of the cavity is metered (44b) to determine the amount of fluid removed from the patient by comparing the inflow and outflow volumes.

Continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis system and method

A continuous flow peritoneal dialysis system and process is disclosed which includes a source of sterilized peritoneal dialysis system in the form of a gravity feed head vessel (32). A by-pass valve (34) connects the head vessel to an inflow/outflow directional valve 40 which controls the inflow and outflow of the sterilized dialysis fluid to a peritoneal catheter (12). The peritoneal catheter is implanted into the peritoneal membrane (14) of the peritoneal cavity (15). A connectable/disconnectable inflow line (42) and outflow line (48) are connected to an inflow catheter (44) and outflow catheter (46), respectively, of the double peritoneal catheter (12). A pressure monitor (50) in the outflow line (48) monitors the pressure within the cavity (15) and adjusts the inflow and outflow accordingly to maintain a predetermined volume and pressure of dialysis fluid in the cavity to maintain the membrane (14) properly distended at all times for maximum dialysis efficiency and patient comfort. Secondarily, an outflow monitor (54) monitors the outflow and if need be, increases or decreases the inflow to the directional valve (40) by controlling a by-pass valve 34. Control of the level of dialysis fluid in the head vessel (32) is maintained by a level monitor (38) which also can operate the by-pass valve (34) to by-pass fluid to a drain tank (36). Sterile dialysis fluid flows through the cavity (15) in an open single-pass circuit and flows into the disposal and drain tank (36) upon passing through the cavity.

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Greer, SC, United States of America

Alan M Peabody