Mixing unit for flushing solutions

Abstract

A mixing unit for ready-to-use flushing solutions with a mixing chamber, with which conduits for ultrapure water and for concentrate communicate, in order to form a ready-to use flushing solution therein is characterized in that the concentrate is filled into a concentrate bag, which is provided with a concentrate bag connector, which is connectable to a connector on the mixing unit, that the connector on the mixing unit is covered by a pivotal concentrate valve in its closed state so that a sealed flushing space is defined around the connector and that a flushing liquid conduit communicates with the connector on the mixing unit so that flushing liquid is conveyable into the flushing space, which can completely clean the connector internally and externally.

Claims

1. A mixing unit for ready-to-use flushing solutions, the mixing unit containing a mixing chamber, with which conduits for ultrapure water and concentrate communicate, in order to form a ready-to-use flushing solution therein, the mixing unit comprising: a concentrate bag which contains concentrate, the concentrate bag being connected to a concentrate bag scales, wherein the concentrate bag is suspended in an arm of said concentrate bag scales, a concentrate bag link connector which is connectable to a link connector of the mixing unit, the concentrate bag link connector being connected to a conduit leading to the mixing chamber, the mixing unit being equipped with a pump, and a swiveling flap disposed in pivoting relation with respect to the link connector of the mixing unit such that, when the first end of the link connector of the mixing unit and the end of the link connector of the concentrate bag are not connected to one another, the flap can pivot between an open state, wherein the first end of the link connector of the mixing unit is exposed, and a closed state covering an opening at the first end of the link connector of the mixing unit wherein the first end of the link connector of the mixing unit is closed, wherein the flap is configured such that when the flap is in the closed state, a flushing area is defined that extends between the flap and the opening of the link connector of the mixing unit, and further extends between the flap and an outer portion of the first end of the link connector of the mixing unit, wherein the flushing area is sealed, and wherein a flushing fluid line, which is equipped with a flushing valve, leads into a rear annular gap in the link connector of the mixing unit and from there through flushing bores at a periphery of the link connector of the mixing unit to the flushing area wherein the flushing fluid line discharges into the flushing area in such a way that flushing fluid can clean the link connector of the mixing unit on the inside and outside, while the pump is running.

2. The mixing unit according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate bag consists of a toxicologically safe material.

3. The mixing unit according to claim 2, wherein the material is a PE film.

4. The mixing unit according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate bag connector includes an external screw thread and an inner cone, and wherein the connector on the mixing unit includes an internal screw thread matching the external screw thread and an outer cone matching the inner cone.

5. The mixing unit according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate bag connector includes a frangible cone.

6. The mixing unit according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate bag further includes a filling connection for the concentrate.

7. The mixing unit according to claim 1, further comprising a concentrate pump, which supplies concentrate to the mixing chamber matched to measured values from the concentrate bag scales and a flushing solution container scales.

8. The mixing unit according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate for the ready-to use flushing solution includes ca. 443.6 g sorbitol, ca. 88.7 g mannitol and ca. 648.7 g water per liter concentrate volume.

9. The mixing unit according to claim 1, wherein a concentration factor of the concentrate for the ready-to-use flushing solution is 16 to 17, whereby the concentrate remains without precipitation at low temperatures of ca. 5 C.

Description

(1) Further details and advantages are described in the figures described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

(2) FIG. 1a is a schematic view of flush fluid preparation system.

(3) FIG. 1b is a schematic view of a possible transfer of flush fluid to an endoscopic system.

(4) FIG. 2a is a view of a mobile flush solution container.

(5) FIG. 2b is a view of a filling station.

(6) FIG. 3a is a view of a pressurized container with an open lid.

(7) FIG. 3b is a partial cross-sectional view of the container with the lid closed.

(8) FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a concentrate valve.

(9) FIG. 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the concentrate valve in a closed position.

(10) FIG. 4c is a schematic cross-sectional view of the concentrate valve in an open position.

(11) FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a container filling station.

(12) FIG. 5b is a schematic view of a concentrate bag.

(13) FIG. 5c is a detailed view of the concentrate bag connectors.

Detailed Description of Preferred Emobidments

(14) FIG. 1 shows the entire preparation up to usage. The liquid to be prepared can be conducted, for instance via an optional prefilter (1), which can be constructed in the form of particle stages and/or further filter stages to eliminate hardness, chemicals and chlorine, to the RO installation (2). In order to eliminate microbiological contamination, the RO (2) includes, for instance, a disinfection unit (4), with which, without the assistance of the user, chemico-thermal disinfection may be performed. Canister (67) contains the disinfecting/cleaning agent, which is advantageously used in the form of a citrate-containing solution. The further function of device (4) may be derived from the drawing and will not be described here in more detail. There is of course the possibility of hot cleaning the RO installation without using further disinfecting agent. The permeate produced by the RO installation (2) is circulated via the primary side of the filter (3). The permeate released by the RO control (58) by means of a conductivity meter, which is not shown, flows to the secondary side of the filter (3) and via permeate release valve (5) to the mixing unit (12). Permeate potentially already pre-heated by the RO installation (2) is heated by means of heater (9) and temperature controller (8, 13) to the necessary flushing liquid temperature. The permeate is fed via conduit (11) to a mixing chamber (15), into which concentrate is fed by means of pump (23) from bag (26) and conduit (25) to the connector (24) and connector (22) on the device. During this, the concentrate valve (20) is open. Detector (19) indicates open because magnet (21) has exceeded the required distance. The concentrate flushing valve (17) is only opened when valve (20) is closed and with appropriately selected or preset flushing programs in order to clean the connector (22). Concentrate bag (26) is suspended with its suspension means (27) in appropriate hooks on the concentrate bag scales (28). The known bag weight serves to verify the scales. The second conductivity and temperature meter (16) detects the corresponding values for reasons of redundancy. The flushing liquid, which is tempered and homogeneously mixed by chamber (15), flows via conduit (29) to a second Sterifilter (30). Defective flushing liquid is discarded via bypass valve (31) to the discharge (100). When valve (31) is closed and flushing solution release valve (33) is open, the flushing liquid is conducted via the flushing solution connector (35) on the device, the bag connector (38) connected thereto and conduit (39) to the mobile flushing solution container (40), inserted within which is a sterile flushing solution bag (82). There is the possibility of removing a sample amount of flushing solution at sample removal point (32). The mobile flushing solution container includes a scales (43), which registers the current filling level or the weight of the flushing volume. A temperature sensor (59) is also mounted so that the flushing liquid temperature may be indirectly measured.

(15) When the flushing solution valve (36) is closed and an appropriate flushing program is selected and initiated, the connector on the device is flushed or disinfected with sterile liquid or cleaning solution via flushing outlet (99). The test of the filters (3/30) is effected with valves (20/36) closed by supplying filtered air by means of air pump (6) and can apply air selectively, by valve switching, to the secondary side of the filter (3) or the primary side of the filter (30). The liquid is thereby partially displaced by the air. Due to the hydrophilic character of the filter membrane, when the filter characteristic is intact only a very small pressure drop will occur, which can be registered or monitored by means of pressure sensor (14) and electronic system (58). As a result of this test, both the filters (3/30) and also the fluid tightness of the valves (20, 36) can be verified or checked. Also shown schematically in FIG. 1 is a possible transfer of the flushing liquid to an endoscopic system (57). Compressed air connector (48) can be connected by means of flexible hoses (49) to an on-site compressed gas source. In order to ensure a constant flow of flushing liquid, the pressure control unit (47) includes an adjustable pressure controller (50), an emergency stop with a mushroom button and forced ventilator (51), a manual pressure limiting valve (52), a manometer indicator (53) and an electronic pressure sensor (54), which, like all sensors and actuators, can be analysed by means of redundant electronic system (58) and displayed. The low pressure control valve (50) is adjustable. The pressure control unit (47) can be designed for a control range of 0 to 0.5 bar and is set for practical use to a delivery pressure of 0.3 bar, for instance with prostate operations. The air controlled in this manner is fed via hose connection (66) into pressure container (45). The flushing liquid in bag (82) is conveyed by the supplied pressure via transfer connection (55) and a suitable transfer system (56) to the endoscopic system (57).

(16) It will be understood that units other than endoscopic systems, such as the flushing suction systems conventional in surgery, are also connectable to system (56).

(17) It is observed additionally that a further Sterifilter, which is not shown here, would be connectable to conduit (56).

(18) There would also be the possibility of introducing the controlled compressed gas medium directly into the flushing solution bag (41) or conducting the transfer via a pump with a disposable hose segment.

(19) FIG. 2 illustrates spatially the entire unit of a mixing installation or filling station. As a result of the assumed spatially limited conditions in hospitals, the filling station (60) was constructed as flat as possible in order not to encroach upon the passages in corridors or in premises. This necessitates a vertical construction of the RO installation (2) with membranes (68), feed tank (69) and pumps (70). A cleaning canister (67) is also shown. The mixing unit (12) is attached via the RO installation, whereby reference is made in this drawing merely to the position of the concentrate valve (20), the flushing solution valve (36), the heater (9) and the Sterifilter (30) in order to illustrate the mechanical handling. The valves are shown here in the closed state. Concentrate bag scales (28) is mounted below the electronic system (58) and shown in the form of an arm (71) with mounting hooks for the concentrate bag. The installation is effected flush with the wall at a suitable position with an appropriate vertical spacing from the floor in order to ensure communication, as will be explained below, and cleaning.

(20) The mobile flushing solution container (40) consists of a transport carriage (46) with a puffing and pushing handle (61), the pressure container (45), a cover (44) and an infusion rod (63). Components of the mobile flushing solution container (40) are a pressure control unit (47), whose outlet communicates directly via a flexible hose connection (66) with the pressure container (45), and an electronic system (62) with a communication indicator (65), for instance for indicating the filling level, the temperature, compressed air and other relevant values and an indicating signal light (64).

(21) The communication between the flushing solution container (40) and the filling station (60) is effected wirelessly by means of sensors in the roller region below the base plate (104) of the transport carriage (40).

(22) The detection of the parking and docking positions of the flushing solution container (40) at the filling station (60) is predetermined by the position of the preferably infrared sensors.

(23) Mounted on the filling station at the same level is a corresponding sensor. The docking angle and position at the filling station may thus be influenced by selection and position of the sensors.

(24) The further components are explained in part by the drawing or will be described later. It will be clear that the construction of the components is of space-saving type and their arrangement can differ from that illustrated and is also possible in other embodiments. Reference is also not made in all points to the labelling.

(25) FIG. 3 schematically shows the pressure container (45) with cover (44) open and a connector mounting (78), through which the cylindrical bag connector (83) is pushed and is retained by means of movable connector lock (79) and retaining groove (87). In order that a form-locking seal with good sliding properties between connector (83) and connector mounting seal (78) can occur, seal (78) preferably consists of a Teflon insert (128), which is pressed with an O-ring (126) and a pressure plate (127) against connector (83) so that the aforementioned objects are achieved. A form-locking and sealing connection of the cover (44) to the pressure container (45) is produced in the closed state on the one hand by cover seal (74) and the conical sealing mount (77) in the pressure container opening. For the purpose of sealing, hook (126) pulls the cover lock (76) by means of locking handle (80) into position. Locking fastener (81) locks behind the rotary joint (124). Cover clamping hinge (75) holds cover (44) in the open state in the upright position.

(26) It will be understood that the bag (41/82) is to be inserted into the container. Two lateral guides (73) are attached to the pressure container (45) for the purpose of vertical support. The compressed air supply (66) is attached, for instance, in the hinge region (75) by means of connector (84). Connector lock (79) may be opened in the event of a defect from the exterior by means of rotary shaft (85). Also shown in this figure is the filling conduit (39) with connector (38), which is to be connected in the filling process to connector (35). After the filling process, clamp (72) can be closed. In order to differentiate between the filling conduit (39) and transfer conduit (55), these are equipped with different connectors and constructed in different lengths, as shown.

(27) FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of the concentrate valve (20), the opening, closing, and lifting and cleaning process of which will be described as follows. Situated in the valve (206) there is a magnet (21), which activates a magnetic contact (19) when the valve is closed. For the purpose of flushing, the valve (20) is closed so that the valve locking hook (91) of the valve lock (89) engages in the locking flange (96) of the connector (22). By pushing back the lock (89) over pivot (92) by means of valve locking handle (90), the lock spring (93) is compressed and the valve locking hook (91) thus enables the lifting process of a valve (20). The valve pivots upwardly. This is promoted by lifting spring (102), which engages laterally, of the pivot point (101). In order to completely flush the connector (22), the seal (94) presses, when the valve is closed, in a form locking manner against the outer cone (95) of the connector (22) and thus seals the flushing space (103).

(28) When the flushing valve (17) is open, liquid flows via conduit (18) into a rear annular gap (97) in the connector (22) and from there through flushing bores at the periphery to the flushing space (103). When the pump (23) is running, the connector (22) is completely cleaned internally and externally and, after the cleaning process, can be cleared of liquid residues during the pressure holding test.

(29) When the valve (22) is open, the concentrate connection (24), which is equipped, for instance, in the form of a female connector with an inner cone 1/18 and a two-start external screw thread 106, into which concentrate bag connector (22) with the corresponding cones and screw threads is screwed in. The frangible cone (112) should be broken. A form-locking, sealing connection, for instance by the inner and outer cones and the screw thread is ensured in the coupled state. The supply of the permeate via conduit (11) into mixing chamber (15) and of the concentrate via pump (23) is illustrated schematically. The mixed flushing solution is led away via conduit (29). In order to produce the appropriate homogeneity, the conduit feeds occur tangentially or in a suitable manner.

(30) In order to rule out the risk of confusion for the usage, the technical format of the flushing solution connections is constructed differently to that of the concentrate connections.

(31) FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the concentrate bag (26), which consists of a toxicologically safe material, preferably PE film. The bag (26) has a rectangular, welded contour. The bag contents of ca. 1-5 liters can cover the concentrates which are common in surgery and their formulations for producing the required flushing solution. For the purpose of connecting to the connector (22) on the device, the connecting hose (25) can be constructed in different lengths. Bag (26) is suspended with its suspension openings (109) in the arm (71). Arm (71) has a z-shaped bend and for the purpose of stiffening and a form-locking connection with opening (114), is fastened by means of screws (115) to strain gauge beam (99). It will be understood that at the beginning of the mixing process sterile protective cap 13) is to be removed and frangible cone (112) is to be broken. Filling connection (11) is welded. The rear end of the strain gauge beam (99) is screwed to a support arm (106) which, for its part, is adjustably connected to the rear wall (41) of the filling station (60) by means of setscrew (116).

LEGENDS

(32) TABLE-US-00001 1. Prefilter 2. RO installation 3. Permeate ultrafilter/Sterifilter 4. Disinfecting unit 5. Permeate release valve 6. Compressed air supply, air pump 7. Air suction filter 8. Temperature controller 9. Hot mixing circuit 10. Over-temperature protector 11. Permeate supply conduit 12. Mixing unit 13. Temperature controller/indicator 14. Pressure sensor 15. Mixing chamber 16. Redundant conductivity meter/temperature indicator 17. Concentrate flushing valve 18. Flushing conduit 19. Concentrate valve detector 20. Concentrate valve 21. Magnet 22. Concentrate bag connector on the device with a two- start internal screw thread and internal outer cone 23. Concentrate pump 24. Concentrate bag connector with frangible cone with a two-start external screw thread and inner cone 25. Concentrate bag connector hose 26. Concentrate bag 27. Concentrate bag suspension 28. Concentrate bag scales 29. Flushing solution conduit 30. Sterifilter 2 31. Flushing solution bypass valve 32. Sample removal point 33. Flushing solution release valve 34. Flushing solution valve detector 35. Flushing solution connector on the device with an inner cone and two-start external screw thread 36. Flushing solution valve 37. Magnet 38. Flushing solution bag connector with outer cone and internal screw thread 39. Flushing solution filling conduit 40. Mobile flushing solution container 41. Filling station rear wall 42. Cable channel 43. Flushing solution container scales 44. Cover 45. Pressure container 48. Transport carriage 47. Pressure control unit 48. Compressed air connector 49. Hose extension 50. Pressure controller 51. Emergency stop 52. Pressure limiting valve 53. Pressure nanometer 54. Pressure sensor 55. Transfer connector with two-start external screw thread, inner cone and closure cap 56. Transfer system 57. Operation usage 58. Electronic system 59. Temperature sensor 60. Filling station 61. Pulling and sliding handle 62. Electronic system for transport carriage 63. Infusion rod 64. Indicating signal light 65. Communication indicator for pressure, temperature, filling level 66. Compressed air hose connection 67. Disinfecting/cleaning agent canister 68. RO membrane 69. Feed tank 70. Pump with drive 71. Concentrate weighing arm with bag suspension hooks 72. Hose clamp 73. Pressure container lateral guide 74. Cover seal 75. Cover clamping hinge 76. Cover lock 77. Pressure container opening with conical sealing mount 78. Connector mounting with inner, pre-stressed sliding seal 79. Connector lock 80. Locking handle with hook 81. Locking fastener 82. Flushing solution bag 83. Bag connector 84. Compressed air supply 85. Rotary locking shaft with outer hexagonal socket 86. Lifting handle 87. Retaining groove 88. Concentrate connector inner cone 89. Valve lock 90. Valve locking handle 91. Valve locking hook 92. Valve locking pivot 93. Valve locking spring 94. Valve seal 95. Seal counter surface 96. Locking flange 97. Flushing flow annular gap 98. Peripheral flushing bores 99. Flushing outlet 100. Discharge 101. Concentrate valve rotary shaft 102. Lifting spring 103. Flushing space 104. Mobile flushing solution container base plate 105. Rollers 106. Arm fastening for weighing cell 107. Mounting block for permeate conductivity sensor 108. Hot permeate circuit 109. Suspension openings 110. Filling container 111. Marking 112. Frangible cone 113. Sterile cap 114. Opening 115. Screws 116. Set screw 117. Strain gauge beam weighing cell 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. Pivot for rotary joint 124. Rotary joint 125. Phase rotary joint 126. O-ring 127. Pressure plate 128. Teflon insert 129. 130. Locking handle hook