Holder for Lines of a Blood Treatment Apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a holder for holding a connector of a dialysis liquid inlet line and a connector of a dialysate outlet line, wherein the holder comprises an arm. The arm comprises a first retainer for receiving or holding the connector of the dialysis liquid inlet line and a second retainer for receiving or holding the connector of the dialysate outlet line. The present disclosure further relates to a blood treatment apparatus and to a method for setting up a blood treatment apparatus for a blood treatment session.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A holder for a blood treatment apparatus, the holder comprising: an arm, wherein the arm comprises: a first retainer for receiving and/or holding a dialysis liquid inlet line; and a second retainer for receiving and/or holding a dialysate outlet line.

17. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the holder further comprises a displacement mechanism and is arranged such that a position of the first retainer and a position of the second retainer are exchangeable or substantially exchangeable by the displacement mechanism.

18. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the arm is rotatable about, or relative to, a section of the holder.

19. The holder according to claim 18, wherein the arm is rotatable about the section of the holder substantially by 180 degrees.

20. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the first retainer and/or the second retainer are arranged in a displaceable manner along the arm.

21. The holder according to claim 20, wherein the first retainer and/or the second retainer are displaceable along the arm by a guide.

22. The holder according to claim 20, wherein the holder comprises an actuator for displacing the first retainer and/or the second retainer along the arm.

23. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the holder comprises a connecting section designed to connect the holder to a rotation section of the blood treatment apparatus generating a rotation-proof connection between the connecting section and the rotation section.

24. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the arm is variable in length.

25. The holder according to clam 24, wherein the arm is foldable or telescopic.

26. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are arranged to be pivotable relative to each other, wherein a section of the holder is designed such that when the first and/or the second retainer is pivoted, a fluidic connection may be formed between the dialysis liquid inlet line and the dialysate outlet line, or wherein the arm is designed to be foldable such that the first retainer and the second retainer are movable towards each other, wherein the dialysis liquid inlet line and the dialysate outlet line are connectable such that a fluidic connection may be formed between the dialysis liquid inlet line and the dialysate outlet line.

27. The holder according to claim 26, wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are arranged to be pivotable relative to each other and the section of the holder is the arm.

28. The holder according to claim 26, wherein the arm is designed to be foldable and the dialysis liquid inlet line and the dialysate outlet line are pluggable to each other via a connecting piece.

29. A blood treatment apparatus comprising a holder according to claim 16, wherein the blood treatment apparatus further comprises a dialysis liquid inlet line connected to or comprising a connector and a dialysate outlet line connected to or comprising a connector, and wherein the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line is part of the first retainer, received therein, held thereby and/or designed as the first retainer, and wherein the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line, is part of the second retainer, received therein, held thereby and/or designed as the second retainer.

30. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising an actuator for placing and/or removing a cover on or from the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line and/or on or from the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line.

31. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line and/or the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line comprises a cover releasably mounted thereon.

32. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line, the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line, and/or the cover, or respectively a section thereof, comprises a tapering shape.

33. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a blood filter having a first connector and a second connector for connecting the blood filter to fluid lines, wherein the first connector of the blood filter, the second connector of the blood filter, the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line, and/or the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line comprises a drip protection.

34. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, comprising a holding device for holding or receiving a plurality of covers.

35. A method for setting up a blood treatment apparatus for carrying out a blood treatment session using the blood treatment apparatus, the method comprising: connecting a second connector of a blood filter to a connector associated with a dialysis liquid inlet line and connecting a first connector of the blood filter to a connector associated with a dialysate outlet line, such that when liquid is supplied via the dialysis liquid inlet line the liquid flows against gravity within the blood filter in the direction towards the dialysate outlet line; filling the blood filter at least partially with liquid via the dialysis liquid inlet line; moving the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line and the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line by a holder for holding or receiving both the dialysate outlet line and the dialysis liquid inlet line; connecting the first connector of the blood filter to the connector associated with the dialysis liquid inlet line and connecting the second connector of the blood filter to the connector associated with the dialysate outlet line, such that when the liquid is supplied via the dialysis liquid inlet line the liquid flows with gravity within the blood filter in the direction towards the dialysate outlet line

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] In the following, the present invention is purely exemplarily described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals denote similar or identical components. The following applies:

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified representation of a blood treatment apparatus, connected to an extracorporeal blood circuit and to a holder;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a simplified representation of a holder in a first embodiment;

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation of the holder shown in. FIG. 2 with inserted connectors to the left of a blood filter of a blood treatment apparatus;

[0103] FIG. 3a shows a simplified representation of the holder, shown in FIG. 3, with a collapsed arm during the method described herein;

[0104] FIG. 4 shows a simplified representation of a holder in a second embodiment, to the left of a blood filter of a blood treatment apparatus;

[0105] FIG. 5a shows the holder shown in FIG. 4, (with a view from the right relative to the illustration in FIG. 4) at the beginning of an embodiment of the method described herein;

[0106] FIG. 5b shows the holder shown in FIG. 5a, during a method as described herein;

[0107] FIG. 5c shows the holder shown in FIG. 5a, during a method as described herein;

[0108] FIG. 6 shows a simplified representation of an exemplary course of a method according to the present disclosure;

[0109] FIG. 7a shows a simplified representation of the holder in a further embodiment;

[0110] FIG. 7b shows a simplified representation of the holder shown in FIG. 7a, in a folded position;

[0111] FIG. 8a shows a design of a cover before its use in an exemplary storage position;

[0112] FIG. 8b shows the use of the cover, shown in FIG. 8a;

[0113] FIG. 8c shows a further design of a cover and its use; and

[0114] FIG. 8d shows the design of the cover, shown in FIG. 8c, after disconnecting the connectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0115] FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified representation of a blood treatment apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure, optionally connected to an extracorporeal blood circuit 300, to an effluent bag 400 and to a holder 500 according to the present disclosure during a blood treatment session.

[0116] The extracorporeal blood circuit 300 comprises a first line 301, here an arterial line section.

[0117] The first line 301 is in fluid communication with a blood treatment device, here exemplarily a blood filter or dialyzer 303 having a first connector 145′ and a second connector 147′. The blood filter 303 comprises a dialysis liquid chamber 303a and a blood chamber 303b which are separated from each other by a mostly semi-permeable membrane 303c.

[0118] The extracorporeal blood circuit 300 further comprises at least a second line 305, here a venous line section. Both the first line 301 as well as the second line 305 may serve as their connection to the vascular system of the patient, not shown here.

[0119] The first line 301 is optionally connected with a (first) hose clamp 302 for blocking or closing the line 301. The second line 305 is optionally connected to a (second) hose clamp 306 for blocking or closing the line 305.

[0120] The blood treatment apparatus 100 which is represented in FIG. 1 only by some of its devices and merely schematically, comprises a blood pump 101. During the patient's treatment, the blood pump 101 conveys blood through sections of the extracorporeal blood circuit 300 and towards the blood filter or dialyzer 303. This is illustrated by the small arrows, which generally indicate the flow direction in each of the figures.

[0121] Using a pump for dialysis liquid 121, which may be designed as a roller pump, as an otherwise occluding pump or as a membrane pump or impeller pump, fresh dialysis liquid is pumped, e.g., from a source 200 along the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 via its connector 145 and via the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303 into the dialysis liquid chamber 303a. The dialysis liquid leaves the dialysis liquid chamber 303a via the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303 and the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102, connected thereto, towards the optional effluent bag 400, or towards a basin and is herein referred to as effluent. The connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 is received or held in the first retainer 141 at an arm 140 of the holder 500 according to the present disclosure. The connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 is received or held in the second retainer 142 at the arm 140 of the holder 500. This is described in more detail regarding FIG. 3.

[0122] The effluent may be discarded out of the optional bag 400 into the basin 600 using the effluent outlet line 403. In some embodiments (not shown here), the effluent is directly discarded into a basin 600 by the dialysate outlet line 102.

[0123] The source 200 may, for example, be a bag or a container. The source 200 may also be a fluid line through which on-line and/or continuously generated or mixed liquid is provided, for example a hydraulic outlet or hydraulic connection port of the blood treatment apparatus 100.

[0124] A further source 201 with substituate may be optionally provided. It may correspond to the source 200 or be a separate source.

[0125] A control device or closed-loop control device 150 being only roughly outlined may be configured to control or regulate the blood treatment apparatus 100. It may be in cable or wireless signal communication to any of the components of the medical set, especially or in particular to the blood pump 101, for controlling or closed-loop controlling the blood treatment apparatus 100.

[0126] In addition to the aforementioned blood pump 101, the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 further comprises purely optionally a series of further pumps, in each case optional, namely the pump 111 for substituate, the pump 121 for dialysis liquid and the pump 131 for the effluent.

[0127] The pump 121 is provided in order to supply the blood filter 303, using a dialysis liquid inlet line 104, with dialysis liquid from a source 200, for example out of a bag, via an optionally present bag heater H2 with a heating bag.

[0128] The dialysis liquid, thus supplied, exits again from the blood filter 303 via a dialysate outlet line 102 supported by the pump 131, and may be discarded, as described herein.

[0129] Upstream of the blood pump 101, an optional arterial sensor PS1 is provided. During a patient's treatment it measures the pressure in the arterial line.

[0130] Downstream of the blood pump 101, but upstream of the blood filter 303 and, if provided, upstream of an addition site 25 for an anticoagulant, for example Heparin, a further optional pressure sensor PS2 is provided. It measures the pressure upstream of the blood filter 303 (“pre-hemofilter”). The addition site for the anticoagulant may alternatively be arranged upstream of the blood pump 101.

[0131] Again, a further pressure sensor to measure the filtrate pressure of the blood filter 303 may be provided as PS4 downstream of the blood filter 303, however preferably upstream of the pump 131 in the dialysate outlet line 102.

[0132] Blood, which leaves the blood filter 303, passes through an optional venous blood chamber 29, which may comprise a de-aeration device 31 and/or a further pressure sensor PS3.

[0133] The optional pump 111 is provided to supply the second line 305 with substituate from the optional source 201, for example out of a bag, and via an optionally present bag heater H1 with a heating bag.

[0134] FIG. 2 shows a simplified representation of a holder 500 according to the present disclosure in a first embodiment. The holder 500 comprises the arm 140, which in turn comprises the first retainer 141, into which the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 (see FIG. 3), is inserted or received, preferably releasably, or by which the connector 145 may be held.

[0135] Furthermore, the arm 140 comprises the second retainer 142, in which the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 (see FIG. 3) is inserted or received, preferably releasably, or by which the connector 147 may be held.

[0136] The connectors 145 and/or 147 may, as stated above, be part of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 or the dialysate outlet line 102. Alternatively, they can be part of the holder 500.

[0137] In this embodiment, the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 are provided at a variable distance from each other, opposite to each other, each at the end of the arm 140.

[0138] According to the present disclosure, the position of the first retainer 141 and the position of the second retainer 142 may be interchanged. With or due to such an interchange of the positions, the position of the connectors 145, 147 may also be interchanged.

[0139] In the example of FIG. 2, the arm 140 is designed to be variable in length in order to change or adjust the distance. In particular, it is telescopic, with optional three sections (e.g., shaped as sleeves) that are slidable into each other, at least in sections. By pushing the individual sections of the arm 140 into each other, the distance between the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 may be reduced, this is shown and explained in more detail regarding FIG. 3a.

[0140] An optional connecting section 170 serves to connect the holder 500 to, e.g., a rotation section 171 of the blood treatment apparatus 100, exemplarily shown in FIG. 3, advantageously by creating a rotation-proof connection. Connecting may encompass plugging in and optionally furthermore latching, interlocking or the like.

[0141] Turning or rotating the holder 500 by the connecting section 170, when the original distance between the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 is re-established or restored, finally causes the positions of the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 to be interchanged.

[0142] FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation of the holder 500 according to the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 2, with the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 inserted in the first retainer 141 and the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 inserted in the second retainer 142. The holder 500 is arranged on the left of a blood filter 303 of a blood treatment apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure, not shown further in FIG. 3.

[0143] The blood filter 303 comprises the first connector 145′ and the second connector 147′. They serve to fluidically connect the interior of the dialysis liquid chamber 303a of the blood filter 303 with the interior of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 or of the dialysate outlet line 102.

[0144] In this embodiment, the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 are each arranged at the opposite ends of the arm 140.

[0145] The optional connecting section 170 serves to connect the holder 500 to a rotation section 171 of the blood treatment apparatus 100, preferably in a rotation-proof manner. The rotation of the rotation section 171, and thus indirectly also of the arm 140, about a rotation axis A may take place clockwise or counterclockwise. The rotation by 180° may also be done clockwise or counterclockwise alternately. In this way it may be prevented that the inlet line 104 and the outlet line 102 are twisted together to an impermissible extent.

[0146] In the example of FIG. 3, the arm 140 is optionally variable in length, here telescopic. This function is described in more detail regarding FIG. 3a.

[0147] The flow direction of the fluid conveyed in lines 102, 104, which is always advantageously unchanged or constant (i.e., during priming, rinsing as well as during subsequent treatment) is indicated in FIG. 3 and in the other figures by an arrow within the respective lumen.

[0148] Actuators and other devices may be provided for shifting the connecting section 170 or connecting the connectors 145, 145′, 147, 147′ in pairs (in FIG. 3 a left-right movement) and for collapsing and extending the arm 140 (in FIG. 3 an up-down movement). These are not shown in FIG. 3 nor in the other figures. The drive of the arm 140 and/or of the holder 500 and/or the of relative movement between connecting section 170 and rotation section 171 may optionally be done by an electric motor, pneumatically or hydraulically.

[0149] In the area of their interfaces with the connectors 145′, 147′ of the blood filter 303, the connectors 145, 147 may have drip protection, for example septa or valves which seal the inner lumens of connectors 145, 147 through which the fluid is passed and prevent liquid leakage during or after disconnection.

[0150] FIG. 3a shows a simplified representation of the holder 500 according to the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 3, while step S2 of an embodiment of the method described regarding FIG. 6 is carried out as an example of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0151] For reasons of clarity, the connecting section 170 and the rotation section 171 (see FIG. 3) are not shown again in FIG. 3a.

[0152] The holder 500 comprises the optionally length-variable arm 140 with optional three, sections (here shaped as sleeves) that are slidable into each other, at least in sections. FIG. 3a shows the arm 140 after it has been pushed together, therefore only its outermost sleeve is visible. As a result of the arm 140 being pushed together, the distance between the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 has noticeably or clearly decreased. The distance between the connectors 145 and 147 inserted in the retainers 141 and 142 has thus also indirectly decreased.

[0153] The arm 140 shortened in this way may, therefore, even if space is limited, be rotated clockwise, preferably by an angle of 180°, about its axis of rotation A which is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Due to the rotation that has already taken place by 180° relative to the position of the arm 140 in FIG. 3, the rear sides of the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 are visible in FIG. 3a.

[0154] The arm 140 may now be extended to its full length again in the further course of step S2 of the method according to the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 6.

[0155] Subsequently, for example in the course of a rinsing or priming process, in step S3 of the method shown in FIG. 6, on the one hand, connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 may be connected to the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303 arranged comparatively low or below, and on the other hand, connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 may be connected to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303, arranged comparatively high or above (not shown in FIG. 3a). The blood filter 303 may now be filled with liquid from the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 from bottom to top, which may advantageously contribute to optimal degassing of the blood filter 303.

[0156] After the rinsing or filling or priming process and after disconnecting the connectors 145, 147 of lines 102, 104 from connectors 145′, 147′ of the blood filter 303 (here, for example, by moving the connecting section 170 of the holder 500 to the left, i.e., by pulling back the holder 500), the arm 140 may be shortened again as described above in order to, despite small or little available space, rotate it back into the position shown in FIG. 3, which preferably is done in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation mentioned first, in order to prevent further twisting of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 with the dialysate outlet line 102 and their damage caused by said twisting.

[0157] In order to effect or prompt that the dialysis liquid may flow through the blood filter 303 in the desired direction during the blood treatment, in the example of FIG. 3 from top to bottom, the arm 140, which has been returned back in the meantime, is extended to its original full length as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, on the one hand, connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 is connected to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303 and, on the other hand, connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 is connected to the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303, which is also no longer shown in FIG. 3a. This may be done, for example, by shifting the connecting section 170 again, this time to the right.

[0158] As stated, the length variability of the arm serves to accommodate to less place availability. Therefore, the same holder may also be used without a length-variable arm. The length variability of the arm is, therefore, only an optional, not an essential feature of the arm.

[0159] FIG. 4 shows a simplified representation of the holder 500 according to the present disclosure with inserted connectors 145, 147 to the left of the blood filter 303 of the blood treatment apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure in a second embodiment.

[0160] The arrangement of FIG. 4 largely corresponds to the arrangement of FIG. 3, to which reference is made in order to avoid repetition.

[0161] The positions of the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 shown in FIG. 4 may be referred to as their initial positions.

[0162] In this embodiment, the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 are provided to be movable along the arm 140, which in this embodiment is optionally not variable in length itself. To move the retainers 141, 142 along the arm 140, optionally rails 149 may be provided on the arm 140, for example respectively one rail on both sides (i.e., front and rear in FIG. 4). The function of these rails 149 is described in the following and in FIG. 5a to FIG. 5c in more detail.

[0163] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the first retainer 141 may be moved in the rail 149 along the arm 140 and on its front side facing the viewer towards the bottom (towards the second retainer 142) and thus shifted or displaced. Likewise, the second retainer 142 may be moved in a rail (not visible in the representation in FIG. 4) along the arm 140 and on its rear side, which is behind the drawing plane, upwards (towards the first retainer 141) and thus shifted.

[0164] The arm 140 may be designed such that the two retainers 141 and 142 may be moved past each other, e.g., in the middle of the arm 140.

[0165] For this purpose, as described in more detail regarding an embodiment of FIGS. 5a to 5c, the arm 140 may have two rails, or linear guides, on its front side and rear side as described herein. The retainers may be moved in them, for example by a chain drive or a driven toothed belt. Alternatively, a rail may be designed on only one side of the arm, which rail branches in a central section for a partial section and then merges together again. Thus, the retainers moving towards each other may move past each other in the middle section through the rails, here, extending parallel.

[0166] After or as soon as the first retainer 141 has been moved completely or sufficiently far down and the second retainer 142 has been moved completely or sufficiently far up, the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 received in the first retainer 141 may be connected to the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303, and the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 received in the second retainer 142 may be connected to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303, since these connector pairs are now opposite to each other or facing each other, this connecting may take place for example by moving the connecting section 170 of the holder 500 to the right.

[0167] Moving the retainers 141 and 142 may be pushing, pulling, sliding and/or shifting.

[0168] For the sake of clarity, only the arm 140 of the holder 500 according to the present disclosure with the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 is shown in FIGS. 5a to FIG. 5c. The connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 is received in the first retainer 141, and the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 is received in the second retainer 142. The further reference numerals refer to the description of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

[0169] FIG. 5a shows the holder 500 according to the present disclosure in the design of FIG. 4 with a view from the right (with regard to the illustration of FIG. 4) at the beginning of the method according to the present disclosure in an embodiment of the method.

[0170] The first retainer 141 is positioned at the upper end of the arm 140, the second retainer 142 at its lower end. This arrangement in turn represents the initial positions of the retainers 141 or 142 of the holder 500.

[0171] On the left and right in or on the arm 140, for example one rail 149 or guide may be sunk. This is not visible in FIG. 5a. Alternatively or additionally, other mechanisms for moving the retainers 141 and 142 may also be provided.

[0172] In the context of an embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the retainers 141, 142 are each individually moved in the direction in which the corresponding dash-dotted arrow points, respectively.

[0173] FIG. 5b shows the holder according to the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 5a, during a step of the method according to the present disclosure, which follows the position shown in FIG. 5a.

[0174] The two retainers 141 and 142 were each moved individually to the middle of the arm 140 (corresponding to step S2 in FIG. 6). The design of the arm 140 of the holder 500 offers sufficient space in this embodiment so that the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 may be moved past each other.

[0175] In some embodiments, such positioning of the first retainer 141 and of the second retainer 142 in the middle of the arm 140, along with other possible designs of a short circuit and their temporary remaining there, may be used to allow the dialysis liquid or another fluid in the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 to bypass the dialysis fluid chamber 303a of the blood filter 303. This may be done, for example, by connecting connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 to connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102. In this way a “bypass” may optionally be realized.

[0176] In the example of FIG. 5b, the two retainers 141 and 142, after they have passed each other, continue their path together with the connectors 145 and 147 received therein, in the direction of the arrow, respectively.

[0177] FIG. 5c shows the holder 500 according to the present disclosure, shown in FIG. 5a, in a further step of the method according to the present disclosure.

[0178] The first retainer 141 with the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 received therein and the second retainer 142 with the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 received therein have each reached one of their target positions namely in the respective initial position of the other of the two retainers 141, 142 shown in FIG. 5a.

[0179] In the example in FIG. 5c, connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 may be connected in this target position with the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303 (see for example FIG. 4), which is positioned relatively further down. The connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 may be connected in the target position to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303 positioned relatively further up.

[0180] This may again be done, for example, by moving the connecting section 170 (not shown in FIG. 5c), and the blood filter 303 may be filled, flushed and/or primed from bottom to top by or with fluids from the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 connected to the connector 145.

[0181] After the connectors 145, 147, respectively received in the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 have been separated again from the blood filter 303, the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 may be moved back to their respective initial position in an analogous manner, for example, in order to connect them again, for the purpose of a blood treatment, to both connectors 145′, 147′ of the dialysis fluid chamber 303a of the blood filter 303.

[0182] FIG. 6 shows a simplified representation of an exemplary course of the method according to the present disclosure in the form of the method described above as being alternative with steps S1 to S7. In this, the reference numerals of the description of FIGS. 1 to 5c are used to describe said method.

[0183] In the context of this embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, method step S1 is or comprises the step of providing a blood treatment apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure with a holder 500 according to the present disclosure. The holder 500 is preferably arranged at a distance from the blood filter 303 using the connecting section 170.

[0184] The connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 is already inserted in the first retainer 141, the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 is inserted in the second retainer 142. If a blood treatment apparatus 100 prepared in this way is already provided, step S1 is of course omitted.

[0185] In step S2, at least one of the two retainers, the first retainer 141 and/or the second retainer 142, with the connectors 145 or 147 received therein, is moved within the holder 500 such that it is in its respective target position when the movement process is completed. The target position of the respective moved retainer 141 or 142 differs from its initial position.

[0186] Method step S3 represents the movement of the holder 500 towards the blood filter 303, for example by shifting the connecting section 170. It is or further encompasses connecting the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 to the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303 and connecting the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303.

[0187] S4 represents or encompasses a filling, rinsing and/or priming process. In this, the blood filter 303 is filled, rinsed and/or primed from the bottom to the top or dialysis liquid or another fluid from the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 flows through it or perfuses it.

[0188] Method step S5 represents the disconnection of connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 from the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303 and the disconnection of connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 from the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303. The separation process may be performed, for example, by moving the connecting section 170, and thus the holder 500, away from the blood filter 303.

[0189] Step S6 represents, analogous to method step S3, the movement of the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 with the connectors 145 and 147 received therein, within the holder 500 or by it. The movement takes place in such a way that after the movement process has ended, the first retainer 141 is in a position in which the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 received therein can be assigned to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303 and that the second retainer 142 is in a position in which the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 received therein can be assigned to the second connector 147′of the blood filter 303.

[0190] Method step S7 represents the movement of the holder 500 towards the blood filter 303, for example by moving the connecting section 170. Subsequently, connecting the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303 located further up, and connecting the connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 to the second connector 147′ of the blood filter 303 located further down is carried out.

[0191] Subsequent to the method according to the present disclosure, a patient's blood may be treated by the blood treatment apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure. In this, the dialysis liquid may flow through the dialysis liquid chamber 303aof the blood filter 303—as is preferred—from top to bottom.

[0192] FIG. 7a shows a further embodiment of the holder 500 according to the present disclosure in in a simplified representation.

[0193] In this embodiment of the holder 500, the lower half of the arm 140 with the second retainer 142 may be folded about an axis of rotation B which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 7a.

[0194] FIG. 7b shows in a simplified representation the holder 500 according to the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 7a in a folded position of the arm 140.

[0195] The folding of the first retainer 141 and the second retainer 142 may advantageously enable to bypass the dialysis liquid chamber 303a of the blood filter 303 for the fluid from the dialysis liquid inlet line 104.

[0196] One of the openings in the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 or in the dialysate outlet line 102 may be made larger than the other opening Particularly in this way, an insertion into one another may be achieved such that a fluidic connection between the dialysis liquid inlet line 104 and the dialysate outlet line 102 is achieved or established.

[0197] However, since both connectors 145, 147 at the retainers 141, 142 must be connectable to the same connectors 145′, 147′ of the blood filter 303, the connectors 145, 147 at the retainers 141, 142 may have, in addition to the connection geometry suitable for connecting to the blood filter 303, a second connection geometry which is suitable for connecting the connectors 145, 147 to each other. In this, “connecting” has the meaning that a fluidic connection of the lumens realized in the connectors 145, 147 is established.

[0198] In addition, a connecting tube or connecting hose may be formed on or in the blood treatment apparatus 100 or dialysis machine. The first retainer 141 and second retainer 142 may approach this connecting hose in such a way that they are connected to the connecting hose. Thereby, the connection is made directly via the first retainer 141 with the connecting hose on one side and the connection is made directly via the second retainer 142 with the other side of the connecting hose. Alternatively, the connection may be made using the connectors received in the first retainer 141 and second retainer 142. The connecting hose may be reached by turning and/or shifting the arm and/or turning and/or shifting the first and second retainer 141, 142.

[0199] To minimize the risk of possible contamination of the first connector 145′ of the dialysis liquid chamber 303a of the blood filter 303 by its contact with the second connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102, it may be advantageous to place, during use, covers 185 between, e.g., connectors 145′ and 147 which cover the whole surface, especially the hard plastic parts of the connectors 147 or 145′, or a part thereof.

[0200] Covers 185 are preferably single-use articles.

[0201] FIG. 8a shows a first design of the cover 185 and further, for example, how a plurality of them, may be stored e.g. on or at the blood treatment apparatus 100.

[0202] The design of the cover 185 in the form of, e.g., a hollow truncated cone, allows several covers 185 to be pushed into each other. This advantageously enables a very space-saving storage of several covers 185, for example 30 pieces, 50 pieces or more, in or on the blood treatment apparatus 100.

[0203] Covers 185 may, for example, comprises or consist of low molecular weight polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or silicone.

[0204] FIG. 8b shows the arrangement of the cover 185 shown in FIG. 8a, during use.

[0205] A cover 185 is placed, e.g., between the second connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 (not shown in FIG. 8b) and the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303.

[0206] FIG. 8c shows a further design of a cover 185. It is shown here during use.

[0207] In the example in FIG. 8c, a device for latching, for example in the form of noses, is outlined at one end of the cover 185, preferably at its wider end (here of a truncated cone). The device for latching the cover 185 corresponds to matches on the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303. Grooves may be provided there, for example, in which the noses of the cover 185 may engage. Alternatively, the cover completely encloses the first connector 145′ and latches with it even without grooves.

[0208] FIG. 8d shows the design of the cover 185 of FIG. 8c after disconnecting the second connector 147 of the dialysate outlet line 102 from the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303.

[0209] When disconnecting, the cover 185, which is particularly releasably connected to the first connector 145′ of the blood filter 303, is removed together with the latter from the second connector 147.

[0210] Alternatively or in addition to the latching device, other releasable connections may be provided, for example snap-on or clip-on devices but also different surface textures of the inside and outside of the cover 185, different materials and the like.

[0211] In some embodiments, such covers may also be provided as hygiene measures on different or other connector pairs than those mentioned herein, in particular when connecting the second connector 147′ of the dialysis liquid chamber 303a of the blood filter 303 to the connector 145 of the dialysis liquid inlet line 104.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0212] 25 addition site for Heparin (optional) [0213] 29 venous blood chamber (optional) [0214] 31 de-aeration device [0215] 100 blood treatment apparatus [0216] 101 blood pump [0217] 102 dialysate outlet line, effluent supply line [0218] 104 dialysis liquid inlet line [0219] 111 pump for substituate [0220] 121 pump for dialysis liquid [0221] 131 pump for dialysate or effluent in effluent inlet line [0222] 140 arm [0223] 141 first retainer [0224] 142 second retainer [0225] 145 connector of the dialysis liquid inlet line [0226] 145′ first connector of the blood filter [0227] 147 connector of the dialysate outlet line [0228] 147′ second connector of the blood filter [0229] 149 guide or rail [0230] 150 control device or closed-loop control device [0231] 170 connecting section [0232] 171 rotation section [0233] 185 cover [0234] 200 source with dialysis liquid [0235] 201 source with substituate [0236] 300 extracorporeal blood circuit [0237] 301 first line (arterial line section) [0238] 302 (first) hose clamp [0239] 303 blood filter or dialyzer [0240] 303a dialysis liquid chamber [0241] 303b blood chamber [0242] 303c semi-permeable membrane [0243] 305 second line (venous line section) [0244] 306 (second) hose clamp [0245] 400 effluent bag [0246] 403 effluent outlet line [0247] 500 holder [0248] 600 basin [0249] A rotation axis of the arm [0250] B folding axis of the arm [0251] H2 bag heating with bag (dialysis liquid) [0252] H1 bag heating with bag (substituate) [0253] PS1, PS2 arterial pressure sensor (optional) [0254] PS3 pressure sensor (optional) [0255] PS4 pressure sensor for measuring the filtrate pressure