DIALYSIS MACHINE AND CLEANING METHOD FOR THE DIALYSIS MACHINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a dialysis treatment unit in which the connecting line to the central concentrate supply is also rinsed in the rinsing or cleaning process in order to prevent deposits therein.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A rinsing process for a dialysis treatment unit, comprising a preparation unit for dialysis solution having a concentrate line with a valve and having at least one connecting means for connecting the concentrate line to a line means of a central concentrate supply unit, characterized in that before rinsing the concentrate line with rinsing or cleaning solution, a control unit causes the opening of the valve in the concentrate line, so that liquid concentrate is transferred out of the connecting means and to the dialysis treatment unit in order to prevent the formation of crystals in the connecting means, and then rinsing steps are carried out to clean or to clean and disinfect the dialysis treatment unit.

10. The rinsing process according to claim 9, wherein a rinsing with dialysis water (permeate) is performed before rinsing with a cleaning agent or disinfectant.

11. The rinsing process according to claim 9, wherein a reduced pressure is established in the concentrate line between the valve and the processing unit.

12. The rinsing process according to claim 11, wherein a reduced pressure of −0.1 bar or less is established in the concentrate line.

13. The rinsing process according to claim 11, wherein the valve is opened for 0.5 to 5 s.

14. The rinsing process according to claim 9, wherein the rinsing process is used for disinfection of the dialysis treatment unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows schematically the design of a dialysis treatment unit.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows schematically the flow chart of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0027] Die Dialysis treatment unit 1 prepares dialysis solution online from dialysis water (permeate) and concentrate by means of a preparation unit 2. The dialysis water (permeate) is supplied to the preparation unit 2 from a reverse osmosis system 4 through the line 12. The dialysis solution is usually prepared by diluting and mixing an acidic concentrate and a basic concentrate with dialysis water (permeate). A concentrate line 17 is provided for the basic concentrate. However, it is also possible that a connection to a central concentrate supply unit (not shown) for the basic concentrate is provided. The ready-to-use dialysis solution is then supplied to a treatment module 14, from which the dialysis solution is then transferred further to a dialysis filter (not shown), for example, through the line 11.

[0028] In modern dialysis treatment units, several options can be selected for the acidic concentrate in most cases. For example, the acidic concentrate can be removed from the canister with a concentrate suction wand 22 and transported to the preparation unit 2 through a concentrate line 21. However, the acidic concentrate can also be supplied from a central concentrate supply 10. The dialysis treatment unit 1 has connectors 7a and 7b for the connection to a central concentrate supply 10. One end of a connecting means 8, for example, a plastic tubing, may be connected to the connector 7a. The second end of the connecting means 8 is connected to a connector 13 of the ring line 9 of the central concentrate supply 10. Whereas a fluid exchange is always taking place in the ring line 9, the passage in the connecting means 8 exists only when concentrate is being obtained only from the central concentrate supply 10. The dialysis treatment unit 1 has a control unit 3, which is configured to open the valves 5 and 6 during a cleaning method. Since an excess pressure of 0.5 to 2.0 bar prevails as the standard in the ring line 9 of a central concentrate supply unit 10 and a reduced pressure of −0.2 bar prevails behind the valves 5 and 6 in the concentrate line 19, a certain fluid volume is conveyed into the concentrate line 19 with the opening of the valves 5 and 6. Thus, with a valve opening for one second, approximately 12 mL concentrate is conveyed. Since the cleaning method is used regularly, i.e., whenever the dialysis treatment unit 1 is used, there is a regular exchange of concentrate in the connecting means 8. This prevents the formation of deposits in the connecting means 8. Additional solutions used in the rinsing process, such as disinfectants, can also be sent to the preparation unit 2 and distributed from there (not shown).

[0029] In contrast with the known rinsing processes, the rinsing process has an additional process step, namely the transfer of a volume segment of liquid concentrate out of the connecting means 8 and into the concentrate line 19. The connecting means 8 is then supplied with fresh liquid concentrate through the ring line 9 of the central concentrate supply. Then in the dialysis treatment unit, the liquid-carrying lines of the dialysis treatment unit are rinsed with dialysis water (permeate) to rinse it clear of the concentrate. Following that, the lines are then rinsed with cleaning solution or disinfectant solution and the other steps are carried out to clean the machine. The intermediate rinsing step prevents chemical reactions of the liquid concentrate with cleaning solution or disinfectant solution, for example.