Method of operating a disposable pumping unit

Abstract

A method of operating a disposable pumping unit includes enabling the disposable pumping unit to be loaded into a peritoneal dialysis hardware unit between a door and a housing of the hardware unit; structuring the disposable pumping unit to have a fluid pump receptacle, the fluid pump receptacle constructed and arranged to extend from both surfaces of the unit so as to fit within a first opening provided in the door and a second opening provided in the housing of the hardware unit; and enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit such that the fluid pump receptacle becomes aligned with the opposing first and second openings when the door is closed against the housing.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a disposable pumping unit comprising:
 enabling the disposable pumping unit to be loaded into a peritoneal dialysis hardware unit between a door and a housing of the hardware unit;   structuring the disposable pumping unit to have a fluid pump receptacle, the fluid pump receptacle constructed and arranged to extend from both surfaces of the unit so as to fit within a first opening provided in the door and a second opening provided in the housing of the hardware unit; and   enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit such that the fluid pump receptacle becomes aligned with the opposing first and second openings when the door is closed against the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes structuring the disposable pumping unit so that the fluid pump receptacle fits into a clamshell defined by at least one of the first and second openings. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit includes matching a shape of the disposable unit with a shape of a mating surface of the hardware unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit includes providing alignment holes in the disposable pumping unit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit includes providing a rigid frame about the disposable pumping unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , which includes thinning the rigid frame at an interface with at least one pumping membrane, aiding in sealing the at least one membrane to the frame at the interface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit includes mating an asymmetrical shape of the disposable pumping unit with a matching asymmetrical shape of the hardware unit. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein mating the asymmetrical shapes forces the disposable pumping unit to be oriented properly when inserted into the hardware unit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes forming the pump receptacle with at least one pumping membrane that is pulled outwardly to fit within at least one of the first and second openings. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , which further includes aligning at least one valve portion of the disposable pumping unit with a valve actuator of the hardware unit when the pump receptacle is fitted within the first and second openings. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , which includes forming the at least one valve portion via a hole defined by a rigid structure of the disposable pumping unit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes extending at least one fluid port of the disposable pumping unit outside of the hardware unit for fluid connection when the pump receptacle is fitted within the first and second openings. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes positioning the fluid receptacle so as to be actuated via the second opening provided in the housing of the hardware unit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , which includes positioning the fluid receptacle so as to be activated on both surfaces of the disposable pumping unit via both of the first and second openings of the hardware unit. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a disposable pumping unit comprising:
 mating first and second surfaces of the disposable pumping unit and forming a pump receptacle by providing a circular seal between the surfaces with at least one fluid pathway entering/exiting the circular seal; and   hinging a door to a housing of a hardware unit and forming a first opening in the door so as to receive the first surface of the disposable pumping unit at the circular seal and a second opening in the housing so as to receive the second surface of the disposable pumping unit at the circular seal when the door is closed against the housing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , which includes extending the sealed pathway between the first and second surfaces so as to be in fluid communication with at least one valve seat formed in the disposable pumping unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second surfaces are each flexible membranes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein providing the circular seal includes physically sealing the two surfaces together. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein providing the circular seal includes mechanically pressing the two surfaces together. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , which includes fluidly communicating the pump receptacle with a heater membrane pair, the heater membrane pair made of a different material than the first and second surfaces of the disposable pumping unit.