Safety mechanism for a dialysis system

Abstract

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a safety feature that is used to isolate individual fluid lines attached to a disposable cassette. The PD machine can include an interface for a disposable cassette, a plurality of safety mechanisms, and a processor. A plurality of fluid lines are connected to the disposable cassette, and each safety mechanism corresponds to a particular fluid line in the plurality of fluid lines. The processor is configured to detect a hazard condition, such as a loss of power to the PD machine or leak in the disposable cassette, and activate one or more safety mechanisms to isolate corresponding fluid lines connected to the disposable cassette. In one embodiment, the safety mechanisms are spring-loaded clamping mechanisms configured to compress a distensible tube connected to the fluid line. In another embodiment, the safety mechanisms include relay solenoids and/or check valves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dialysis system, comprising:
 a dialysis machine configured to accept a disposable cassette connected to a number of fluid lines for facilitating a peritoneal dialysis treatment; and   an auxiliary safety module,   wherein the dialysis machine includes:
 a wireless interface for communicating with the auxiliary safety module; and 
 a processor configured to:
 detect a hazard condition; and 
 transmit a wireless signal, to the auxiliary safety module, that causes the auxiliary safety module to activate one or more safety mechanisms to isolate corresponding fluid lines connected to the disposable cassette of the dialysis system. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein each safety mechanism operates to clamp a distensible tube of a particular fluid line to close a fluid pathway in the tube. 
     
     
         3 . The dialysis system of  claim 2 , wherein at least two safety mechanisms are activated by a single actuator connected to the at least two safety mechanisms. 
     
     
         4 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein each safety mechanism comprises a relay solenoid. 
     
     
         5 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the hazard condition is a loss of power. 
     
     
         6 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the hazard condition comprises monitoring a user interface to detect manual selection of a control element of the user interface associated with each of the one or more safety mechanisms. 
     
     
         7 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one safety mechanism includes a check valve. 
     
     
         8 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein each safety mechanism can be automatically reset by the dialysis system. 
     
     
         9 . The dialysis system of  claim 1 , wherein each safety mechanism comprises a spring attached to a compression member extendible through a corresponding opening in a surface of the auxiliary safety module. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a dialysis machine paired with an auxiliary safety module wirelessly connected to the dialysis machine, the method comprising:
 detecting a hazard condition; and   transmitting a wireless signal, to the auxiliary safety module, that causes the auxiliary safety module to activate one or more safety mechanisms to isolate corresponding fluid lines connected to a disposable cassette inserted into the dialysis machine,   wherein a plurality of fluid lines are connected to the disposable cassette, and   wherein each safety mechanism of the auxiliary safety module corresponds to a particular fluid line in the plurality of fluid lines.   
     
     
         12 . The method of claim  11 , wherein each safety mechanism operates to clamp a distensible tube of the particular fluid line to close a fluid pathway in the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The method of claim  11 , wherein each safety mechanism comprises a relay solenoid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of claim  11 , wherein the hazard condition is a loss of power to the dialysis machine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of claim  11 , wherein detecting the hazard condition comprises monitoring a user interface to detect manual selection of a control element of the user interface associated with each of the one or more safety mechanisms. 
     
     
         16 . The method of claim  11 , wherein each safety mechanism comprises a spring attached to a compression member extendible through a corresponding opening in a surface of the auxiliary safety module. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes a dialysis machine paired with an auxiliary safety module, which is wirelessly connected to the dialysis machine, to perform steps comprising:
 detecting a hazard condition; and   transmitting a wireless signal, to the auxiliary safety module, that causes the auxiliary safety module to activate one or more safety mechanisms to isolate corresponding fluid lines connected to a disposable cassette inserted into the dialysis machine,   wherein a plurality of fluid lines are connected to the disposable cassette, and   wherein each safety mechanism of the auxiliary safety module corresponds to a particular fluid line in the plurality of fluid lines.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein each safety mechanism operates to clamp a distensible tube of the particular fluid line to close a fluid pathway in the tube. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein each safety mechanism comprises a relay solenoid. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein each safety mechanism comprises a spring attached to a compression member extendible through a corresponding opening in a surface of the auxiliary safety module.