Dialysis system with online dialysis fluid generation

Abstract

A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump a dialysis fluid; and a dialysis fluid source located separate from and in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid machine, the dialysis fluid source including a purified water line for carrying purified water, a source of a first concentrate, a source of a second concentrate, a first concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump first concentrate from the first concentrate source, and a second concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump second concentrate from the second concentrate source, wherein dialysis fluid is prepared for delivery from the dialysis fluid source to the dialysis machine by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate pumped by the first concentrate pump and the second concentrate pumped by the second concentrate pump.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A dialysis system comprising:
 a dialysis machine including at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump dialysis fluid; and   a dialysis fluid source located separate from and in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid machine, the dialysis fluid source including
 a purified water line for carrying purified water, 
 a source of a first concentrate, 
 a source of a second concentrate, 
 a first concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump first concentrate from the first concentrate source, and 
 a second concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump second concentrate from the second concentrate source, 
 wherein the dialysis fluid is prepared for delivery from the dialysis fluid source to the dialysis machine by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate pumped by the first concentrate pump and the second concentrate pumped by the second concentrate pump, 
 wherein the dialysis system includes a pressure transducer positioned and arranged to sense fluid pressure in a fluid connection between the dialysis fluid source and the dialysis machine, and 
 wherein the sensed fluid pressure from the pressure transducer is used to control a flow rate of the dialysis fluid from the dialysis fluid source. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , which is configured to cause the dialysis fluid source to increase a dialysis fluid generation rate upon a reduced fluid pressure sensed by the pressure transducer. 
     
     
         3 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , which is configured to cause the dialysis fluid machine to decrease a dialysis fluid generation rate upon an increased fluid pressure sensed by the pressure transducer. 
     
     
         4 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure transducer senses a reduced fluid pressure upon an increase in flow rate of the dialysis fluid to the dialysis machine. 
     
     
         5 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure transducer senses an increased fluid pressure upon a decrease in flow rate of the dialysis fluid to the dialysis machine. 
     
     
         6 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis machine is configured to send a command signal to the dialysis fluid source to provide dialysis fluid at a desired flow rate to the dialysis machine. 
     
     
         7 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis machine is configured to send a command signal to the dialysis fluid source to slow or stop the production of dialysis fluid when a fluid demand of the dialysis machine is lowered. 
     
     
         8 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , which includes a flow regulation device in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid source and the dialysis machine, the flow regulation device acting as a damper to reduce dialysis fluid pulsatility. 
     
     
         9 . The dialysis system of  claim 8 , wherein the flow regulation device includes a rigid canister. 
     
     
         10 . The dialysis system of  claim 8 , wherein the flow regulation device includes a first wall and a second wall disposed opposite each other between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the flow regulation device, and wherein the first and second walls include a compliant material so that the walls expand and contract depending on flow requirements of the dialysis fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis machine, and wherein one of the first or second concentrates includes an osmotic agent. 
     
     
         12 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis machine is a blood treatment machine, and wherein one of the first or second concentrates includes acid. 
     
     
         13 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis fluid source further includes an air trap positioned and arranged to remove air from the purified water mixed with at least one of the first concentrate or the second concentrate. 
     
     
         14 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis fluid source further includes a mixing chamber positioned and arranged to aid mixing of the purified water and at least one of the first or second concentrates. 
     
     
         15 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis fluid source further includes a heater positioned and arranged to heat purified water flowing through the purified water line. 
     
     
         16 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis fluid source further includes a conductivity sensor positioned and arranged to sense the conductivity of the dialysis fluid prepared by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate and the second concentrate. 
     
     
         17 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis fluid source includes at least one filter configured to remove at least one of particles or endotoxin from mixed dialysis fluid. 
     
     
         18 . A dialysis system comprising:
 a dialysis machine including at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump dialysis fluid, the dialysis machine further including a controller; and   a dialysis fluid source located separate from and in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid machine, the dialysis fluid source including
 a purified water line for carrying purified water, 
 a source of a first concentrate, 
 a source of a second concentrate, 
 a first concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump first concentrate from the first concentrate source, and 
 a second concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump second concentrate from the second concentrate source, 
 wherein the dialysis fluid is prepared for delivery from the dialysis fluid source to the dialysis machine by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate pumped by the first concentrate pump and the second concentrate pumped by the second concentrate pump, 
 wherein the dialysis system includes a pressure transducer positioned and arranged to sense fluid pressure in a fluid connection between the dialysis fluid source and the dialysis machine, and 
 wherein the sensed fluid pressure from the pressure transducer is used by the controller of the dialysis machine to send a control signal indicative of a fluid demand of the dialysis machine. 
   
     
     
         19 . The dialysis system of  claim 18 , wherein a control signal indicative of a higher fluid demand of the dialysis machine corresponds to a lower sensed fluid pressure from the pressure transducer. 
     
     
         20 . The dialysis system of  claim 18 , wherein a control signal indicative of a lower fluid demand of the dialysis machine corresponds to a higher sensed fluid pressure from the pressure transducer.