Device And Method For Determining An Optimum Dialysate Flow For An Extracorporeal Blood Treatment With An Extracorporeal Blood Treatment Device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for determining an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt for an extracorporeal blood treatment and to a blood treatment device comprising a device 18 for determining an optimum dialysate flow Qd.sub.opt. The optimum dialysate flow Qd.sub.opt is determined on the basis of a relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d. The device according to the invention comprises a measurement device 18B for measuring at least one value which is characteristic of the clearance K, a calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A of the device according to the invention being configured in such a way that the clearance K is determined on the basis of the at least one value which is characteristic of the clearance. The calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A is configured in such a way that the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate rate Q.sub.d on the basis of the measured clearance K, or the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from the measured clearance K.

Claims

1. A device for determining an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt for an extracorporeal blood treatment using an extracorporeal blood treatment device which comprises a dialyser that is subdivided by a semipermeable membrane into a blood chamber, which is flowed through by blood at a predetermined blood flow Q.sub.b, and a dialysate chamber, which is flowed through by dialysate at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d, the device for determining the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt comprising a calculation and/or evaluation unit which is configured in such a way that the optimum dialysate flow for the dialyser of the blood treatment device is determined, characterised in that the device for determining the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt has a measurement device for measuring at least one value which is characteristic of the clearance K, the calculation and/or evaluation unit being configured in such a way that the clearance is determined on the basis of the at least one value which is characteristic of the clearance, and in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from a relationship describing the dependence of the clearance on the dialysate rate on the basis of the measured clearance K or the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from at least one measured clearance K.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is a function taking into account the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA of the dialyser of the blood treatment device, the calculation and/or evaluation unit being configured in such a way that the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA of the dialyser is determined from the measured clearance K and the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance on the dialysate flow, taking into account the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is determined on the basis of the following equation: $K = Q_{b} .Math. \frac{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - 1}{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - \frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{d}}},$ Q.sub.d being the dialysate flow, Q.sub.b being the blood (water) flow and K.sub.oA being the mass transfer coefficient of the dialyser.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA of the dialyser is calculated using the following equation: $K_{O} .Math. A = \frac{Q_{b} .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{b} - Q_{d}} .Math. \ln (\frac{Q_{d} (Q_{b} - K)}{Q_{b} (Q_{d} - K)}),$ Q.sub.d being the dialysis flow, Q.sub.b being the blood (water) flow and K being the measured clearance.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that, on the basis of the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d at a predetermined blood flow rate Q.sub.b, the dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined for which, when it is increased by a particular value, the increase in the clearance is not less than a particular value.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that the difference between the value of the clearance K.sub.m measured at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d and a predetermined value for the clearance is calculated, a control signal for decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d by a predetermined amount being generated if the difference between the measured clearance and the predetermined clearance is positive, and a control signal for increasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d by a predetermined amount being generated if the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance is negative.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterised in that the predetermined amount by which the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is decreased or increased is an amount dependent on the magnitude of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that the calculation of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance and the generation of a control signal for increasing or decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d take place in a plurality of successive steps.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterised in that the calculation of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance and the generation of a control signal for increasing or decreasing the dialysate flow Qd take place in a plurality of successive steps until the magnitude of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance undershoots a predetermined threshold.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that in a first step the clearance K.sub.m is measured at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d; a control signal for increasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d by a predetermined amount is generated, in a second step the clearance K.sub.m is measured at the dialysate flow Q.sub.d increased by the predetermined amount, the change in the clearance K.sub.m as a result of the change in the dialysate flow is checked as to whether a criterion is met for increasing or decreasing or maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, a control signal for increasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being generated if the criterion for increasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met, a control signal for decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being generated if the criterion for decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met, a control signal for maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being generated if the criterion for maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met, and if the criterion for increasing or decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met in successive steps, control signals for increasing or decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d are generated until the criterion for maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterised in that the calculation and/or evaluation unit is configured in such a way that the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is calculated as the criterion for increasing or decreasing or maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, a control signal for increasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being generated if the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is greater than a first threshold, a control signal for decreasing the dialysate flow Qd being generated if the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is less than a second threshold, and a control signal for maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being generated if the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold.

12. A blood treatment device for an extracorporeal blood treatment comprising a dialyser that is subdivided by a semipermeable membrane into a blood chamber that can be flowed through by blood at a predetermined blood flow Q.sub.b, and a dialysate chamber that can be flowed through by dialysate at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d, characterised in that the blood treatment device comprises a device for determining an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt according to claim 1.

13. The blood treatment device according to claim 12, characterised in that the blood treatment device comprises a control unit for setting the predetermined blood flow Q.sub.b or dialysate flow Q.sub.d, which receives the control signal of the calculation and/or evaluation unit of the device for determining an optimum dialysate flow, in such a way that the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is set.

14. The blood treatment device according to claim 13, characterised in that the blood treatment device comprises an arterial blood line leading to the blood chamber and a venous blood line leaving the blood chamber and a dialysate supply line leading to the dialysate chamber and a dialysate removal line leaving the dialysate chamber, and in that the blood treatment device comprises a valve arrangement that is formed in such a way that a flow connection between the arterial blood line and the venous blood line can be established for measuring the clearance K at a predetermined blood flow rate Q.sub.b and a predetermined dialysate rate Q.sub.d.

15. A method for determining an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt for an extracorporeal blood treatment using an extracorporeal blood treatment device comprising a dialyser which is subdivided by a semipermeable membrane into a blood chamber that is flowed through by blood at a predetermined blood flow Q.sub.b, and a dialysate chamber that is flowed through by dialysate at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d, the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt being determined from a relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate rate Q.sub.d, characterised in that at least one value which is characteristic of the clearance K is measured, the clearance K being determined on the basis of the at least one value which is characteristic of the clearance, and the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d on the basis of the measured clearance K.sub.m, or the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined from at least one measured clearance K and a control signal is generated for the blood treatment device for setting the dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is a function taking into account the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA of the dialyser of the blood treatment device, the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA of the dialyser being determined from the measured clearance and the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt being determined from the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, taking into account the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is determined on the basis of the following equation: $K = Q_{b} .Math. \frac{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - 1}{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - \frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{d}}},$ Q.sub.d being the dialysate flow, Q.sub.b being the blood (water) flow and K.sub.oA being the mass transfer coefficient of the dialyser.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that the mass transfer coefficient K.sub.oA of the dialyser is calculated using the following equation: $K_{O} .Math. A = \frac{Q_{b} .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{b} - Q_{d}} .Math. \ln (\frac{Q_{d} (Q_{b} - K)}{Q_{b} (Q_{d} - K)}),$ Q.sub.d being the dialysis flow, Q.sub.b being the blood (water) flow and K being the measured clearance.

19. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that, on the basis of the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d at a predetermined blood flow rate Q.sub.b, the dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined for which, when it is increased by a particular value, the increase in the clearance is not less than a particular value.

20. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that the difference between the value of the clearance K.sub.m measured at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d and a predetermined value for the clearance is calculated, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being decreased by a predetermined amount if the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance is positive, and the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being decreased by a predetermined amount if the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance is negative, the predetermined amount by which the dialysate flow is decreased or increased being an amount dependent on the magnitude of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance, and the calculation of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined clearance and the generation of a control signal for increasing or decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d taking place in a plurality of successive steps.

21. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that in a first step the clearance K.sub.m is measured at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d; the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is increased by a predetermined amount, in a second step the clearance K.sub.m is measured at the dialysate flow Q.sub.d increased by the predetermined amount, the change in the clearance K.sub.m as a result of the change in the dialysate flow is checked as to whether a criterion is met for increasing or decreasing or maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being increased if the criterion for increasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being decreased if the criterion for decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being maintained if the criterion for maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met, and if the criterion for increasing or decreasing the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met in successive steps, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is increased or decreased and the change in the clearance K.sub.m as a result of the change in the dialysate flow is checked as to whether the criterion is met for increasing or decreasing or maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d until the criterion for maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is met.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterised in that the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is calculated as the criterion for increasing or decreasing or maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being increased if the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is greater than a first threshold, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being decreased if the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is less than a second threshold, and the dialysate flow Q.sub.d being maintained if the gradient of the relative change in the clearance K.sub.m for the relative change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold.

23. The method according to claim 15, characterised in that to measure the clearance K a liquid, in particular dialysate, is conveyed into the blood chamber via an arterial blood line leading to the blood chamber and out of the blood chamber via a venous blood line leaving the blood chamber, and in that a flow connection is established between the arterial blood line and the venous blood line, and the liquid, in particular dialysate, is recirculated through the blood chamber, the electrolyte concentration of a liquid flowing into the dialysate chamber, in particular dialysate, being changed upstream from the dialyser and the electrolyte concentration in the liquid flowing out of the dialysate chamber being measured.

Description

[0032] In the following, various embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a highly schematic drawing of the essential components of a device according to the invention for extracorporeal blood treatment using a device according to the invention for predetermining an optimum dialysate flow.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the clearance K (ml/Min) as a function of the dialysate flow Q.sub.d (ml/min) for various blood flow rates Q.sub.b, and

[0035] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram comprising the method steps for determining an optimum dialysate flow Qd.sub.opt by an iterative method.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a blood treatment device according to the invention which has a device 18 according to the invention for determining an optimum dialysate flow Qd.sub.opt. For improved clarity, FIG. 1 merely shows the essential components of the blood treatment device, since the individual components of a blood treatment device for haemodialysis or haemodiafiltration are generally known to the person skilled in the art.

[0037] The dialysis device according to the invention has a dialyser 1, which is subdivided by a semipermeable membrane 2 into a blood chamber 3 and a dialysate chamber 4. An arterial blood line 5, into which a blood pump 6 is connected, leads from a patient to an inlet of the blood chamber 3, whilst a venous blood line 7 leads from an outlet of the blood chamber 3 of the dialyser 1 to the patient. During the blood treatment, the arterial and venous blood lines 5, 7 of the extracorporeal blood circuit I are connected to the patient via cannulas (not shown).

[0038] Fresh dialysate is provided in a dialysate source 8. A dialysate supply line 9 leads from the dialysate source 8 to an inlet of the dialysate chamber 4, whilst a dialysate removal line 10 leads from an outlet of the dialysate chamber 4 of the dialyser 1 to a drain 11. A dialysate pump 12 is connected into the dialysate removal line 10.

[0039] The dialysate system II of the dialysis device comprises further components, of which only a bypass line 20 comprising a valve arrangement 21 is shown in FIG. 1, however. One end of the bypass line 20 is connected to the dialysate supply line 9 upstream from the dialysate chamber 4 and the other end of the bypass line 20 is connected to the dialysate removal line 10 downstream from the dialysate chamber. The valve arrangement 21 comprises two outer valves 21A and 21B and a central valve 21C, which are arranged in the bypass line.

[0040] The dialysis device has a central control unit 13, which is connected to the blood pump 6 and the dialysate pump 12 via control lines 14, 15. The control unit 13 generates control signals for operating the blood and dialysate pump 6, 12 at a predetermined feed rate, in such a way that a predetermined blood flow Q.sub.b is established in the blood line 5, 7 and a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d is established in the dialysate line 9, 10. The valves 21A, 21B, 21C are electromagnetically actuatable valves, which are connected to the control unit 13 via control lines 22A, 22B, 22C.

[0041] To input different parameters for the dialysis, the dialysis device has an input unit 16, which comprises for example an alphanumeric keypad 16A. The input unit 16 is connected via a data line 17 to the control unit 13, by means of which the individual components of the dialysis device are actuated in such a way that the dialysis treatment is carried out using the predetermined dialysis parameters.

[0042] The dialysis device provides an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt for the dialysis treatment. For this purpose, the dialysis device has a device 18 for determining an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt, the construction and operation of which are disclosed in detail in the following.

[0043] The dialysis treatment is carried out using a particular dialyser 1 which has a particular effectiveness. The effectiveness of the dialyser 1 is specified by way of the mass transfer coefficient k.sub.0A, although this does not have to be known to determine the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt.

[0044] In the case of haemodialysis (HD), the clearance K is calculated from the blood (water) flow Q.sub.b and the dialysate flow Q.sub.d and the mass transfer coefficient k.sub.0A of the dialyser 1 using the following equation:

[00003] $\begin{matrix} K = Q_{b} .Math. \frac{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - 1}{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - \frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{d}}} . & (2) \end{matrix}$

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the clearance K as a function of the dialysate flow Q.sub.d for various blood flows Q.sub.b. It can be seen that at high dialysate flows Q.sub.d the clearance K is saturated. Therefore, from a particular dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt upwards, increasing the dialysate flow does not lead to a significant gain in clearance. If the gain in clearance is negligible, a change in the dialysate rate can be omitted or a decrease in the dialysate flow may be expedient. By contrast, if the change in the dialysate rate leads to a significant increase in the clearance, the dialysate rate should be increased. Using a critical value crit, it can be established whether the dialysate flow should be decreased or increased or can be left unchanged.

dK(Q.sub.d)/dQ.sub.d<crit.sub.1 equation (3.1)

Q.sub.d is decreased

crit.sub.1<dK(Q.sub.d)/dQ.sub.d<crit.sub.2 equation (3.2)

Q.sub.d is not changed

dK(Q.sub.d)/dQ.sub.d<crit.sub.2 equation (3.3)

Q.sub.d is increased

[0046] The device 18 for determining the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt has a calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A, which is connected to the central control unit 13 of the blood treatment device via a line 19 in such a way that the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A and control unit 13 can receive and transmit control signals or data.

[0047] Further, the device for determining the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt has a measurement device 18B for measuring a value which is characteristic of the clearance, in particular the dialysate ion concentration at the input and output of the dialysate chamber of the dialyser. To measure the dialysate input concentration and the dialysate output concentration, the measurement device 18B comprises a conductivity sensor 18C on the dialysate supply line 9 upstream from the dialysate chamber 2 and a conductivity sensor 18D on the dialysate removal line 10 downstream from the dialysate chamber 2 of the dialyser 1, which are merely alluded to in FIG. 1. The measurement of the clearance K is based on the electrolyte concentration being briefly raised or lowered, the conductivity of the dialysate being measured upstream and downstream from the dialysate chamber 2 using the sensors 18C, 18D before the change in the electrolyte concentration. The calculation and/or evaluation unit can calculate the clearance from the dialysate input concentrations c.sub.di(1) and c.sub.di(2) and dialysate output concentrations c.sub.do(1) and c.sub.do(2) using the following equation:

K=Q.sub.d(((c.sub.di(1)−c.sub.do(1) )−(c.sub.di(2)−c.sub.do(2)))/(c.sub.di(1)−c.sub.di(2)) equation (4)

[0048] Measurement devices of this type are known for example from DE 39 38 662 A1(U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,554) and DE 197 47 360 A1 (U.S. Pat. No. 6 156 002), to which reference is hereby explicitly made. However, it is irrelevant to the invention how the clearance is calculated from the measured values.

[0049] The device 18 according to the invention predetermines an optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt, at which the dialysis device is operated. It is assumed that a particular blood flow Q.sub.b is set, which can be inputted at the input unit 16. For this purpose, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A is configured as follows.

[0050] The clearance K is initially measured at the set blood flow Q.sub.b for a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d. Using equation (4), the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the clearance K from the measured conductivity values before and after the change in the electrolyte concentration. Once the clearance K is known, in the case of haemodialysis (HD) the calculation and evaluation unit 18A calculates the mass transfer coefficient k.sub.0A of the dialyser 1 using equation (1):

[00004] $K_{O} .Math. A = \frac{Q_{b} .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{b} - Q_{d}} .Math. \ln (\frac{Q_{d} (Q_{b} - K)}{Q_{b} (Q_{d} - K)}),$

[0051] Q.sub.d being the dialysate flow, Q.sub.b being the blood (water) flow and K being the previously measured clearance.

[0052] Since the mass transfer coefficient k.sub.0A of the dialyser 1 is determined using the clearance measurement in advance of determining the optimum working point, this parameter of the dialyser does not have to be known. The dialyser parameter can be determined before or during the dialysis treatment. The parameter can be determined at particular time intervals during the dialysis treatment, in such a way that changes in the mass transfer coefficient which are attributable to blocking of the membrane (clotting) can also be taken into account.

[0053] Using a clearance measurement, the mass transfer coefficient does not have to be determined during the blood treatment, but can also be determined in advance of the blood treatment during a rinsing process.

[0054] To rinse the blood chamber of the dialyser, the arterial blood lines 5 is connected to the portion of the bypass line 20 between one outer valve 21A and the inner valve 21C, and the venous blood line 7 is connected to the portion of the bypass line 20 between the other outer valve 21B and the inner valve 21C, and in the bypass line 20 the outer valves 21A and 21B are opened and the middle valve 21C is closed by the control unit 13. The blood lines 5, 7 connected to the bypass line 20 for the rinsing process are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. During the rinsing process, a rinsing liquid, in particular a dialysate, is supplied to the blood chamber 3 via the dialysate supply line 9 and the portion of the venous blood line 7 and removed from the blood chamber via the portion of the venous blood line 5 and the dialysate removal line 10. When the rinsing process is complete, the control unit 13 closes the outer valves 21A, 21B and opens the central valve 21C in the bypass line 20, the blood pump 6 being operated in such a way that the rinsing liquid recirculates through the blood chamber 3. At the same time, the dialysate pump 12 is operated in such a way that dialysate flows into the dialysate chamber 4 and out of the dialysate chamber 4.

[0055] The clearance is subsequently determined by the above-described known methods, rinsing liquid, in particular a dialysate, flowing through the blood chamber instead of blood. For this purpose, the electrolyte concentration of the dialysate flowing into the dialysate chamber 4 is briefly changed, and the response to the concentration bolus is measured in the dialysate flowing out of the dialysate chamber 4. The measurements may also be taken upstream and downstream from the dialyser, for which purpose the conductivity sensors 18C and 18D may be used. From the flow rate for the rinsing liquid, which corresponds to the blood flow rate Q.sub.b in a measurement during the blood treatment, and the dialysate flow rate Q.sub.d, along with the measured conductivity values, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the mass transfer coefficient using equation (1). This can be determined for different dialysers and hose line systems. However, when the mass transfer coefficient is calculated using equation (1), it should be taken into account that equation (1) does not precisely describe the actual ratios because of the lower volume of liquid flowing through the blood chamber by comparison with the measurement during the blood treatment and because of the recirculation of the liquid. The calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A therefore makes a correction to the calculated value using an empirically determined correction factor, which takes into account the filling volume of the blood chamber and of the hose line system. This correction factor can be determined by laboratory experiments and stored in a memory of the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A.

[0056] Once the mass transfer coefficient k.sub.0A is known, in the case of haemodialysis (HD) the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the relationship between the clearance K and the dialysate flow Q.sub.b using equation (2):

[00005] $K = Q_{b} .Math. \frac{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - 1}{e^{K_{0} .Math. A (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} - \frac{1}{Q_{d}})} - \frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{d}}},$

[0057] Q.sub.d being the dialysate flow, Q.sub.b being the blood (water) flow and KA being the mass transfer coefficient of the dialyser.

[0058] The calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A can calculate the clearance K for different dialysate flows Qd using equation (1) so as subsequently to find the optimum working point for the dialysis device, as is disclosed in DE 10 2006 045 437 A1.

[0059] The optimum working points for different blood flow rates are marked by circles in FIG. 2, a ratio of additional dialysate flow [ml/min] and additional clearance [ml/min] of 10:1 having been selected for the working points. If the dialysate rate Q.sub.d is increased further starting from the respective working point, an increase in the dialysate rate is no longer associated with a further increase in clearance K which exceeds a particular value. The optimum dialysate rate Q.sub.dopt is therefore the dialysate flow for which, when it is exceeded, the derivative of the function shown in FIG. 2, which describes the dependence of the clearance K on the dialysate rate Q.sub.d, undershoots a particular critical value. A possible but non-optimum working point is denoted A in FIG. 2.

[0060] The clearance measurement in advance of determining the optimum working point makes it superfluous to determine a three-dimensional curve family, by means of which the optimum dialysate flow rate Q.sub.dopt can be determined as a function of the blood flow rate Q.sub.b for different dialysers which are each distinguished by a particular mass transfer coefficient K0A.

[0061] To display the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt, the device 18 has a display unit 18E, for example in the form of a screen or a display.

[0062] Further, the device 18 outputs the calculated value for the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt via the line 19 to the control unit 13 of the blood treatment device, which in turn sets the rotational speed of the dialysate pump 12 in such a way that dialysate is conveyed at the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt.

[0063] Another aspect of the invention likewise provides measurement of the clearance to determine an optimal dialysate rate.

[0064] At the input unit 16 for the blood treatment, the doctor can predetermine a particular clearance K.sub.min which should not be undershot during the blood treatment. However, he can also predetermine a value for the clearance K.sub.max which should not be exceeded. The clearance K.sub.m is measured at a predetermined dialysate flow Q.sub.d.

[0065] Once the actual clearance K.sub.m is known, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the predetermined for example minimum clearance K.sub.min. If the difference is positive, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A generates a control signal, in such a way that the control unit 13 of the blood treatment device decreases the dialysate flow Q.sub.d. By contrast, if the difference is negative, the calculation and/or evaluation unit generates a control signal for the control unit to increase the dialysate flow Q.sub.d. The amount ΔQ.sub.d by which the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is decreased or increased is proportional to the magnitude of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the minimum clearance K.sub.min. A large difference thus leads to a large change in the dialysis rate, for example by 20%. Preferably, the dependence is a linear function. The difference K.sub.m−K.sub.min can also be based on K.sub.min (for example (K.sub.m−K.sub.min)/K.sub.min×100%>20%).

[0066] After the change in the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, a clearance measurement is taken again so as to be able to establish whether the aim of the treatment is still being achieved. The calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the minimum clearance K.sub.min. If the difference is still positive, the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is decreased again in a further step. By contrast, if the difference is negative the dialysate flow is increased.

[0067] The optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt can be determined in a plurality of iterative steps, the dialysate rate being changed by a particular amount, which is proportional to the magnitude of the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the minimum clearance K.sub.min, in each step. To avoid constant flow rate changes, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A compares the difference between the measured clearance K.sub.m and the minimum clearance K.sub.min with a predetermined threshold, which may for example be between 2% and 5% of the minimum clearance K.sub.min. If the threshold is achieved or undershot, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A interrupts the iterative process, the currently set dialysate flow Q.sub.d being accepted as the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt.

[0068] A further embodiment of the invention for determining the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt by an iterative method which is based on measuring the clearance K is disclosed in the following. The individual method steps, which may be carried out at the start of or in the course of the blood treatment, are shown in FIG. 3.

[0069] The control unit 13 initially generates a control signal, which predetermines a dialysate flow Q.sub.d,1 corresponding to the blood flow Q.sub.b. The clearance K.sub.1 is measured at the predetermined blood flow Q.sub.b and dialysate flow Q.sub.d,1, it again being possible to determine the clearance by the above-disclosed method. The control unit subsequently increases the dialysate flow Q.sub.d,1, by the amount ΔQ.sub.d, for example by 50 ml/min, to Q.sub.d,2. Subsequently, the clearance is measured again at the blood flow Q.sub.b with result K.sub.2. The two measurements are subsequently evaluated by the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A as follows.

[0070] From the data tuples [K.sub.1, Q.sub.d,1] and [K.sub.2, Q.sub.d,2], the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the relative change in the clearance of K.sub.1 and K.sub.2 as a result of the change in the dialysate flow by ΔQ.sub.d1,2 from Q.sub.d,1 to Q.sub.d,2, to and calculates the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 of the relative change in the clearance ΔK.sub.12 and in the relative dialysate flow ΔQ.sub.d12:

ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12=(K2−K1)/(Q.sub.d,2−Q.sub.d,1) equation (5)

[0071] The change in the clearance of K.sub.1 and K.sub.2 as a result of the change in the dialysate flow by ΔQ.sub.d12 from Q.sub.d,1to Q.sub.d,2 is checked by the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A as to whether a criterion is met for increasing or decreasing or maintaining the dialysate flow Q.sub.d. For this purpose, the calculation and/or evaluation unit compares the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 of the relative change in the clearance and in the relative dialysate flow with a first threshold c.sub.1 and a second threshold c.sub.2, the first threshold being greater than the second threshold. However, the second threshold may also be equal to the first threshold.

[0072] If the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 is greater than the first threshold c.sub.1, the calculation and control unit 13 generates a control signal to increase the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, in such a way that the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is further increased by ΔQ.sub.d.

[0073] If the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 is less than the second threshold c.sub.2, the calculation and control unit 13 generates a control signal to decrease the dialysate flow Q.sub.d, in such a way that the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is decreased by AQ.sub.d again.

[0074] If the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 is less than the first threshold c.sub.1 and greater than the second threshold c.sub.2, a control signal to maintain the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is generated, in such a way that the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.dopt is determined and is also set.

[0075] If the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 is greater than the first threshold c.sub.1 or less than the second threshold c.sub.2, after the increase or decrease in the dialysate flow the clearance K is measured again, so as to be able to check again the change in the clearance from the previously measured value to the current value as a result of the increase or decrease in the dialysate flow for whether the above criterion is met. This process is continued until the gradient ΔK.sub.12/ΔQ.sub.d12 is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold and the dialysate flow is no longer being changed.

[0076] The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention aim to optimise the dialysate flow on the basis of the determination of the diffusive component of the dialyser clearance. The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can be used for determining an optimum dialysate flow not only for haemodialysis (HD), but also for haemodiafiltration (HDF). In the case of haemodiafiltration (HDF), the following values occur: [0077] K.sub.0A: diffusive mass transfer coefficient or coefficient of diffusive mass transfer, which takes into account the diffusive component of the dialyser clearance; [0078] Q.sub.d: dialysate flow through the dialyser, which is to be distinguished from the total flow of the dialysate Q.sub.d,tot, which is the sum (Q.sub.d,tot=Q.sub.d+Q.sub.s) of the dialysate flow Q.sub.d through the dialyser and the substituate flow Q.sub.s; [0079] Q.sub.d,opt optimum dialysate flow; [0080] Q.sub.bw: blood water flow at the arterial cannula. The blood flow at the dialyser input is increased by supplying substituate upstream from the dialyser (pre-dilution), whilst the blood flow at the dialyser output is decreased by ultrafiltration and by supplying substituate downstream from the dialyser (post-dilution). The blood water flow Q.sub.bw is dependent on the haematocrit and the protein content in the blood, Q.sub.bw being approximately 0.86 Q.sub.b;

[0081] K.sub.m,tot: measured system clearance, which comprises the total purification power of the system including the convective and diffusive component of the clearance, patient effects which decrease the clearance, for example recirculation, being taken into account;

[0082] K.sub.m,diff : diffusive component of the system clearance, which is derived from the measured system clearance K.sub.m,tot and is based on the calculation of the diffusive mass transfer coefficient K.sub.0A.

[0083] The clearance calculated to determine the optimum dialysate flow Q.sub.d,opt is dependent on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d and the blood flow Q.sub.b, and is denoted as K.sub.d (Q.sub.d, Q.sub.b, K.sub.0A).

[0084] There is a difference between haemolysis (HD) and haemodiafiltration (HDF) in particular in the case of haemodiafiltration with pre-dilution (HDF pre-dilution), since the blood-side liquid flow is composed of the blood flow and the substituate flow. The diffusive exchange in the dialyser thus takes place for the total flow:

[00006] $K_{m, diff} = \frac{Q_{bw} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s}}{Q_{b} - Q_{f} - (1 - κ) .Math. Q_{s}} .Math. (\frac{Q_{bw} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s}}{Q_{b}} .Math. K_{m} - Q_{f} - Q_{s}),$ [0085] κ=1 for HDF pre-dilution [0086] κ=0 for HD and HDF post-dilution

[0087] For HDF post-dilution, this relationship is simplified to

[00007] $K_{m, diff} = \frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{b} - Q_{f} - Q_{s}} .Math. (K_{m} - Q_{f} - Q_{s})$

[0088] Instead of equation (1), in the case of haemodiafiltration (HDF) this gives:

[00008] $\begin{matrix} k_{0} .Math. A = \frac{(Q_{b} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s}) .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{d} - Q_{b} - {κ .Math. Q}_{s}} .Math. \ln (\frac{\frac{K_{m, diff}}{Q_{d}} - 1}{\frac{K_{m, diff}}{Q_{b} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s}} - 1}) & equation .Math. .Math. (1^{'}) \end{matrix}$

which, in the case of haemodialysis or HDF post-dilution where κ=0, gives:

[00009] $k_{0} .Math. A = \frac{Q_{b} .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{d} - Q_{b}} .Math. \ln (\frac{\frac{K_{m, diff}}{Q_{d}} - 1}{\frac{K_{m, diff}}{Q_{b}} - 1})$

[0089] For the general case of haemodiafiltration (HDF), the relationship describing the dependence of the clearance K.sub.d on the dialysate flow Q.sub.d is as follows:

[00010] $\begin{matrix} K_{d} = (Q_{bw} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s)} .Math. \frac{e^{γ} - 1}{e^{γ} - \frac{(Q_{bw} + κ .Math. .Math. Q_{s})}{Q_{d}}}, .Math. γ = k_{0} .Math. A .Math. \frac{Q_{d} - (Q_{bw} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s})}{(Q_{bw} + {κ .Math. Q}_{s}) .Math. Q_{d}} & equation .Math. .Math. (2^{'}) \end{matrix}$

[0090] For HD and HDF post-dilution (κ=0), this relationship is again simplified to:

[00011] $K_{d} = Q_{bw} .Math. \frac{e^{γ} - 1}{e^{γ} - \frac{Q_{bw}}{Q_{d}}}, γ = k_{0} .Math. A .Math. \frac{Q_{d} - Q_{bw}}{Q_{bw} .Math. Q_{d}}$

[0091] From the dialysate input concentrations c.sub.di(1) and c.sub.di(2) and dialysate output concentrations c.sub.do(1) and c.sub.do(2), the clearance can be calculated using the following equation.

[0092] Instead of using equation (4), for the general case of haemodiafiltration, the calculation and/or evaluation unit 18A calculates the clearance as follows once the dialysate input concentrations c.sub.di(1) and c.sub.di(2) and dialysate output concentrations c.sub.do(1) and c.sub.do(2) have been measured:

[00012] $\begin{matrix} K_{m, tot} = (Q_{d} + Q_{f} + Q_{s}) .Math. (1 - \frac{c_{do} (2) - c_{do} (1)}{c_{di} (2) - c_{di} (1)}) & equation .Math. .Math. (4^{'}) \end{matrix}$

[0093] Q.sub.f being the total filtration rate, in other words the total of the ultrafiltration rate Q.sub.UF and the substituate rate Q.sub.S.

[0094] When the dialysate input concentrations c.sub.di,(1) and c.sub.di(2) and dialysate output concentrations c.sub.do(1) and c.sub.do(2) are varied continuously (pulse profile) rather than incrementally (stepped profile), the clearance is calculated as follows:

[00013] $K_{m, tot} = (Q_{d} + Q_{s} + Q_{f}) .Math. (1 - \frac{\int_{t_{2}}^{t_{3}} .Math. Δ .Math. .Math. c_{do} (t^{'}) .Math. {dt}^{'} .Math.}{\int_{t_{0}}^{t_{1}} .Math. Δ .Math. .Math. c_{di} (t^{'}) .Math. {dt}^{'}})$ [0095] Δ.sub.cj being the height of the LF variation above the base line.

[0096] The above equations apply when blood and dialysate flow in a counter flow in the dialyser. If by contrast blood and dialysate flow in a parallel flow in the dialyser, the following relationships apply for the general case of haemodiafiltration (Gotch, Replacement of Renal Function).

[00014] $k_{0} .Math. A = \frac{Q_{b} .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{d} + Q_{b}} .Math. \ln (\frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{b} - K_{d} (1 + \frac{Q_{b}}{Q_{d}})})$ $k_{0} .Math. A = - \frac{Q_{b} .Math. Q_{d}}{Q_{d} + Q_{b}} .Math. \ln (1 - K_{d} (\frac{1}{Q_{b}} + \frac{1}{Q_{d}}))$ $K_{d} = Q_{bw} .Math. \frac{1 - e^{- γ}}{1 + \frac{Q_{bw}}{Q_{d}}}, γ = k_{0} .Math. A .Math. \frac{Q_{d} + Q_{bw}}{Q_{bw} .Math. Q_{d}} .$

Device And Method For Determining An Optimum Dialysate Flow For An Extracorporeal Blood Treatment With An Extracorporeal Blood Treatment Device

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A61M1/3413

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A61M1/341

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A61M1/1617

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A61M2205/3334

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A61M1/1615

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A61M2205/70

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A61M1/16

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A61M1/34

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