PERITONEAL DIALYSIS MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a peritoneal dialysis machine having means for carrying out a peritoneal dialysis treatment, wherein the machine has a drain line which is connected or connectable to the patient catheter and through which consumed dialysis solution is conducted into a drain, wherein the drain line does not open into a drainage bag and wherein the drain line is connected at an opening to a venting line by means of which the venting line can be vented, with a sterile filter being arranged in the drain line upstream of the opening and/or in the venting line and with a cut-off means by means of which the drain line can be cut off at times is provided in the drain line upstream of the opening.

Claims

1. A peritoneal dialysis machine having means for carrying out a peritoneal dialysis treatment, wherein the machine has a drain line which is connected or connectable to the patient catheter and through which consumed dialysis solution is conducted into a drain, characterized in that the drain line does not open into a drainage container; and in that the drain line is connected at an opening to a venting line by means of which the venting line can be vented, with a sterile filter being arranged in the drain line upstream of the opening and/or in the venting line and with a cut-off means by means of which the drain line can be cut off at times is provided in the drain line upstream of the opening.

2. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the peritoneal dialysis machine is a CAPD set.

3. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the sterile filter in the venting line has hydrophobic properties.

4. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a further sterile filter is provided in the drain line downstream of the opening.

5. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the sterile filter or filters in the drain line have hydrophilic properties.

6. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drain line and the venting line are configured in one piece or are connectable or connected by means of a connector.

7. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that means for conveying air through the venting line into the drain line are arranged in the venting line.

8. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the means are means to be actuated by a user or means that have a drive unit.

9. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the means are configured as bellows or as a compressor.

10. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drain line and/or the venting line has a connection at which a container containing a disinfectant is arranged or can be arranged.

11. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drain line is provided with a connector for connecting the drain line to the peritoneal dialysis machine; and in that the cut-off means is arranged in the connector.

12. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drain line is provided with a connector for connecting the drain line to the peritoneal dialysis machine; and in that the connector is configured such that it is provided at the peritoneal dialysis machine at one side and at a connector already located at the drain line at the other side.

13. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cut-off means are formed by a clamp or a valve.

14. A peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cut-off means is a one-way valve.

15. A method for venting a drain line of a peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cut-off means is closed first; and in that the venting of the drain line takes place subsequent thereto by means of the venting line, whereby the consumed dialysis solution is conducted into a drain which is not a drain container.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the venting takes place in that air, preferably environmental air, is conveyed into the drain line at pressure.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the conveying takes place manually or by means of a compressor.

18. A method in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that a sterilizing agent is introduced into the drain line before, during, or after the venting of the drain line.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that the sterilizing agent is mixed to the air that is conveyed into the drain line; or in that the sterilizing agent is added separately from the air that enters into the drain line.

20. A tubing set for use in a peritoneal dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tubing set has a drain line having a connector for connecting to the peritoneal dialysis machine, has a venting line that is connected to the drain line at an opening such that air can be introduced from the venting line into the drain line, wherein air conveying means are provided that can be connected to the venting line via a connector or that comprises a component of the venting line.

Description

[0033] There are shown:

[0034] FIG. 1: a schematic view of a tubing set with a connected dialysis bag in accordance with the invention; and

[0035] FIG. 2: a view of a drainage tube with mutually connectable connectors.

[0036] A bag containing fresh dialysis solution is marked by reference symbol D in FIG. 1.

[0037] The distributor V is set during the filling phase such that the line 10 is in fluid communication with the line 20 so that fresh dialysis solution flows from the bag D into the peritoneum of the patient.

[0038] The clamp K in the drain line 30 is closed during this time.

[0039] After the elapse of a certain dwell time, the consumed dialysis solution is conducted through the line 20 into the drain line 30, for which purpose the distributor V is correspondingly adjusted such that there is a fluid communication between the lines 20, 30.

[0040] The clamp K is opened for this purpose and the consumed dialysis solution runs at least partly into the drain A such as into a sink, a shower tray, etc.

[0041] Since the pressure difference between the patient and the drain A caused by the height difference is possibly not sufficient to effect a complete emptying of the drain line 30, the venting line 40 opens into the drain line downstream of the clamp K. It is connected at its one end to the drain line 30 and at its other end to the environmental air U so that environmental air U can be sucked into the venting line 40 and can be conveyed from there into the drain lie 30.

[0042] To achieve the complete emptying of the drain line 30 downstream of the clamp K, the clamp K is closed and the compressor, bellows, etc. are put into operation, whereby air is introduced into the drain line 30 downstream of the clamp and the consumed dialyzate still remaining therein is completely conducted into the drain A.

[0043] Reference symbol S marks a sterile filter that ensures that no germs enter into the drain line 30 from the environmental air. It is located between the compressor, etc. and the opening of the line 40 into the line 30.

[0044] As can be seen from the Figure, a further sterile filter S is located in the drain line 30.

[0045] The control or the operation of the elements shown, in particular of the distributor V, of the clamp K, and of the compressor P, can take place manually or controlled by a control unit and corresponding actuating means.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the drain line 30 that is provided at its end not facing the drain A with a connector that is e.g. connectable to the distributor or to the patient catheter, not shown. The patient catheter is a tubing section that leads into the peritoneum, that is fixedly connected to the patient, and that is connected via a connector to a tubing set to be able to introduce dialysis solution into the peritoneum and to conduct it out thereof.

[0047] The line 20 in accordance with FIG. 1 can, for example, comprise a first section that is formed by the patient catheter and a second section that leads to the distributor V, which is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] The connector K1 is the connector originally located at the drain line 30. The connectors K2 have been plugged on after one another, and indeed one respective fresh, sterile connector K2 per treatment. The connector K3 is a new, sterile connector that is used for the next draining of the dialysis solution from the peritoneum of the patient. It is plugged onto the last of the already present connectors K2 so that the patient catheter or another connector element that is connected to the connector K3 remains sterile.

[0049] The connectors can have a slit membrane that is opened in the connected state and thus releases a fluid passage.

[0050] The connection of the connectors can take place by a thread, a latch connection, etc.