Abstract
The present invention relates to a closing element for a fluid line, preferably a fluid line of a concentrate container, comprising a closing portion configured to be arranged on an end portion of the fluid line to fluidically close the fluid line, wherein the closing portion comprises an intended breaking point, and a pressure receiving portion configured to receive pressure applied by a connector element to be fluidically connected to the fluid line by breaking the intended breaking point, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises at least one protrusion projecting outwards from at least a part of the closing element that is configured to come into contact with the connector element.
Claims
1. An element for a fluid line comprising: a main body configured to at least partially receive the fluid line, a closing portion configured to be arranged on an open portion of the fluid line to fluidically close the fluid line, wherein the closing portion comprises an intended breaking point, and a pressure receiving portion configured to receive pressure applied by a pressure exertion element, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises at least one protrusion, that is configured to come into contact with the connector element.
2. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises an annular protrusion running at least along a part of or along the entire length of the outer circumference of the closing element.
3. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the closing portion comprises at least two plates that are separated from each other by the intended breaking point.
4. The closing element according to claim 3, wherein the closing portion comprises at least two plates that are separated from each other by the intended breaking point and are arranged at an angle to each other.
5. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged along the outer circumference of the closing element.
6. The closing element according to claim 5, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is arranged on a plate forming the closing portion so that pressure applied to each protrusion is selectively transferred to the plate the protrusion is arranged on.
7. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving portion and/or at least one protrusion thereof is present on at least half of the longitudinal length of the closing element in an insertion direction of the fluid line into the closing element.
8. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving portion and/or at least one protrusion thereof at least partially defines a distal end face of the closing element in the insertion direction of the fluid line into the closing element.
9. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a cylindrical or polygonal form.
10. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein at a connection point between the closing portion comprising the intended breaking point and the main body of the closing element the material is selectively weakened, by providing at least one recess, to facilitate breaking of the intended breaking point due to pressure being applied to the pressure receiving portion.
11. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is at least partially or completely manufactured from linear low density polyethylene and/or high density polyethylene.
12. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is formed from at least two polymers, one of which being easier to break than the other, the polymer being easier to break forming the intended breaking point.
13. A connector comprising at least one fluid line providing a flow path through the connector, wherein the closing element according to claim 1 is arranged on at least one fluid line of the connector to fluidically close the fluid line.
14. The connector according to claim 13, wherein the fluid line comprises only one lumen or an inner lumen and an outer lumen, wherein the closing element is arranged on an end face of the one lumen or the outer lumen and an end face of the inner lumen is arranged retracted into the outer lumen so that a gap is present between the end face of the inner lumen and the closing element.
15. The connector according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the fluid lines of the connector comprises a sharp or pointed leading edge pointing away from the connector.
16. A system comprising the closing element according to claim 1, a connector, and a pressure exertion element, wherein the pressure exertion element is configured to be fluidically connected to the fluid line of the connector by breaking the intended breaking point of the closing element, by a relative movement of the pressure exertion element and the connector.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the connector, that is a connector of a concentrate container, and/or the pressure exertion element, that is a connector element of a blood treatment device or a dosing unit thereof, comprises at least one fluid line comprising an inner lumen and an outer lumen arranged concentrically to each other.
18. The element of claim 1, wherein the fluid line is a fluid line of a concentrate container, and the connector is a connector element to be fluidically connected to the fluid line by breaking the intended breaking point, and the pressure receiving portion comprises at least one protrusion, projecting outwards from the closing portion or the main body, that is configured to come into contact with the connector element.
19. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises an annular protrusion running at least along a part of or along the entire length of the outer circumference of the closing element and the main body thereof.
20. The closing element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged along the outer circumference of the closing element at the pressure receiving portion thereof, wherein the protrusions are separate from another and/or arranged in equal intervals along the outer circumference.
Description
[0106] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a fluid line closed by a closing element according to a first embodiment the present invention;
[0107] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of a fluid line closed by a closing element according to the first embodiment the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the intended breaking point of the closing element is broken;
[0108] FIG. 3a shows a connector of a concentrate bag according to the invention;
[0109] FIG. 3b shows another connector of a concentrate bag according to the invention;
[0110] FIG. 4 shows a connector of a concentrate bag according to the invention comprising two fluid lines each closed by a closing element according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0111] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 4;
[0112] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the connector of FIG. 4;
[0113] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 4
[0114] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a closing element according to the second embodiment;
[0115] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the closing element of FIG. 8;
[0116] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the closing element of FIG. 8;
[0117] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the closing element of FIG. 8 arranged on the fluid line of a connector of FIG. 4;
[0118] FIG. 12 shows a first step in the connection process of the connector and closing element of FIG. 11 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0119] FIG. 13 shows a second step in the connection process of the connector and closing element of FIG. 11 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0120] FIG. 14 shows a third step in the connection process of the connector and closing element of FIG. 11 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0121] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a closing element according to a third embodiment;
[0122] FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the closing element of FIG. 15;
[0123] FIG. 17 shows a first step in the connection process of a connector and closing element of FIG. 15 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0124] FIG. 18 shows a second step in the connection process of a connector and closing element of FIG. 15 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0125] FIG. 19 shows a third step in the connection process of a connector and closing element of FIG. 15 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0126] FIG. 20 shows a fourth step in the connection process of a connector and closing element of FIG. 15 being connected to a connector element of a blood treatment device;
[0127] FIG. 21 shows sectional view of a closing element according to another embodiment;
[0128] FIG. 22 illustrates the sequential opening of two fluid lines each closed by a closing element according to the present invention;
[0129] FIG. 23 shows sectional view of a closing element according to yet another embodiment.
[0130] FIG. 24a shows a machine connector of a blood treatment machine that is movable by rotation in a closed state;
[0131] FIG. 24b shows the machine connector of FIG. 24a in an open state;
[0132] FIG. 25 shows a different machine connector of a blood treatment machine that is translationally movable;
[0133] FIG. 26 shows a connector of a concentrate container attached to a blood treatment device.
[0134] As shown in FIG. 1, a closing element 1 according to a first embodiment the present invention is arranged in the fashion of a cap on the end of a fluid line 1 that preferably is part of a connector of a container for concentrate. The closing element 1 has a closing portion 3 fluidically closing the fluid line, in particular the outer tube 2 thereof, a cylindrical main body 4 and a pressure receiving portion 5 that in this embodiment is configured as an annular protrusion extending along the outer circumference of the main body 4 at the lower end of the closing element 1.
[0135] On the inner circumference of the main body 4, the closing element 1 comprises an annular sealing protrusion 6 that seals the gap between the inner circumference of the main body 4 and the outer tube of the outer tube 2 of the fluid line. The fluid line also comprises an inner tube 7 that is arranged concentrically to the outer tube and ends short of the end face defined by the outer tube 2 so that the inner tube 7 is arranged retracted into the lumen of the outer tube 2, so that a gap or distance D is ensured between the end face of the inner tube 7 and the closing element 1.
[0136] The fluid line has an outer lumen L1 and an inner lumen L2. The inner lumen L2 is used to conduct fluid. The inner circumference of the inner lumen L2 comprises an annular sealing protrusion 8. The outer lumen L1 is not used to conduct fluid but serves the purpose of ensuring a distance between the sterile inner lumen L2 and the closing element 1. The outer lumen can be regarded as an annular blind hole that does not penetrate the connector 12.
[0137] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of a fluid line closed by a closing element 1 as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the intended breaking point of the closing element 1 is broken by a connector element 9 being moved downwards onto the fluid line of the concentrate bag. In principle, it is also possible to move the connector of the concentrate bag up towards the connector element 9 to thereby rupture the closing element 1.
[0138] The connector element 9 is part of a blood treatment device or dosing unit thereof and comprises an outer tube 10 configured to press onto the pressure receiving portion 5 of the closing element 1 to open the closing element 1 at the intended breaking point as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. The connector element 9 further comprises an inner tube 11 configured to be inserted into the inner tube 7 of the connector to establish a fluid connection between the concentrate container and the blood treatment device. Via this fluid connection, fluid may be pumped into the concentrate container or withdrawn thereof.
[0139] FIG. 3a shows a connector 12 of a concentrate bag according to the present invention. The connector 12 is made in one piece out of a polymer material. The connector 12 comprises two attachments elements 21 for attaching the connector 12 to a blood treatment device. In this embodiment, the attachment elements 21 have the shape of hooks configured to be inserted into corresponding recesses (e.g. rinsing recesses) of the connector element of the blood treatment device.
[0140] Generally, the connector element of a blood treatment device comprises two parts: a first part comprises at least one fluid line and is used to establish a fluid connection to e.g. a concentrate container. The second part comprises at least one recess, usually two recesses, configured to receive the at least one fluid line of the first part to short-circuit the fluid line during rinsing of the machine. In the present case, the attachment elements 21 or hooks of the connector 12 are configured to be inserted into these rinsing recesses to affix the connector and thus the concentrate container to the blood treatment device. The connector 12 comprises a handle 23 for moving the concentrate bag attached thereto.
[0141] After the connector 12 has been thus affixed to the blood treatment device, the connector element of the blood treatment device, in particular the first part thereof bearing the fluid lines, is moved relative to the connector 12 to press onto the closing element 1 arranged on the open end of the tube 7 of the connector 12 that provides a flow path through the connector and into the concentrate container. The connector element of the blood treatment device exerts pressure onto the closing element 1 until the intended breaking point thereof breaks and the closing element 1 is opened. The outer tube 2 does not serve the purpose of conducting fluid but ensures a good fit of the attachment element 21 in the rinsing recess of the blood treatment device.
[0142] FIG. 3b shows a different embodiment of a connector 12 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the attachment elements 21 have a different shape and are configured as curved arms reaching out from the body of the connector 12. These arms define a u-shaped groove 22 configured to receive a corresponding attachment element of the blood treatment device that can have e.g. a bar-like or pole-like shape.
[0143] In FIG. 3b it can be seen that the connector 12 comprises two fluid lines that are each closed by a closing element 1.
[0144] FIG. 4 shows a connector 12 of a concentrate bag according to another embodiment of the invention comprising two fluid lines each having only one tube 7 that is used for conducting fluid each closed by a closing element 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The tube 7 comprises a lumen for conducting fluid.
[0145] The connector 12 shown in FIG. 4 comprises two attachment elements 21 each arranged on one of the tubes 7. The attachment elements 21 each comprise two parallel protrusions projecting from the outer circumference of each tube 7 outwards in radial direction and are arranged at different positions along the longitudinal axis of each tube 7. The attachment elements 21 are configured to receive a corresponding attachment element of the blood treatment device that can have e.g. a bar-like or pole-like shape.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 5 the end faces of the tube 7 of each fluid line of the connector 12 are slanted in two directions. This ensures that locally at the tip of the tube 7 a larger pressure may be exerted than in a case in that a horizontal end face is used. It is also possible to have end faces slanted in only one direction or having a horizontal end face. However, providing end faces slated in two directions and arranged at an angle to each other has the advantageous effect that the distance that needs to be travelled by the pressure exertion element (e.g. a connector element of a blood treatment device) or the connector can be reduced thus allowing for a more compact design of the pressure exertion element, in particular a connector element of a blood treatment device. The geometries of the end faces are variable and can be adapted to any desired application. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the connector 12 of FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 7, one or both or more or all of the fluid lines of the connector 12 can be equipped with a central pole configured to open a valve in the connector element of a blood treatment device or dosing unit upon connection of the connector 12 thereto by removing a valve element from a corresponding valve seat to open the valve and enable fluid flow therethrough.
[0148] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a closing element 1 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the pressure receiving portion 5 is not only present at the lower end of the closing element 1 as shown in FIG. 1 but extends all the way up from a lower end face 14 of the closing element to an upper end face 15. In this embodiment, the pressure receiving portion 5 defines the plane of the upper end face 15. This embodiment offers the advantage that a connector 9 only has to be moved a short distance before its outer tube 10 abuts the pressure receiving portion 5 and can exert pressure to open the closing element 1.
[0149] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the closing element 1 of FIG. 8. In this view, the intended breaking point 3a of the closing portion 3 is clearly visible. The closing portion is formed of two slanted surfaces leaning against each other in the fashion of a roof. The cylindrical main body 4 of the closing element is visible between the closing portion 3 and the pressure receiving portion 5.
[0150] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the closing element of FIG. 8. The cylindrical main body 4 of the closing element is visible between the closing portion 3 and the pressure receiving portion 5 and the intended breaking point 3a is easily seen.
[0151] The contour of the closing portion 3 has a roof-shape and follows the contour of the leading edge of the tube 7 of the connector 12.
[0152] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the closing element 1 of FIG. 8 arranged on the tube 7 of a fluid line of the connector 12. The sealing structure 6 present on the inner circumference of the main body 4 of the closing element 1 is received in a corresponding annular recess in the outer circumference of the tube 7 to removably lock the closing element 1 to the tube 7 via a form-fit mechanism.
[0153] A recess 24 is present between the closing portion 3 and the pressure receiving portion 5. This recess 24 allows the two angular plates of the closing portion 3 to move towards a straight position upon breaking of the intended breaking point 3a.
[0154] Another recess 25 is present in a radially outward position from the sealing structure 6 to allow the sealing structure 6 to flexibly move upon insertion of a fluid line, e.g. the tube 7, into the closing element 1.
[0155] FIG. 12 shows a first step in the connection process of the connector 12 and closing element 1 of FIG. 11 being connected to a connector element 9 of a blood treatment device. In this step, the connector element 9 and the tube 7 are aligned and brought into proximity to each other. The connector 12 is attached to the connector element of the blood treatment device via the attachment elements 21 comprising the protrusions 21a.
[0156] FIG. 13 shows a second step in the connection process of the connector 12 and closing element 1 of FIG. 11 being connected to a connector element 9 of a blood treatment device. At this stage, the connector 9 has been moved downwards towards the connector 12 until the outer tube 10 of the connector 9 presses onto the pressure receiving portion 5 of the closing element 1 and moves the closing element 1 downwards along the longitudinal direction of the tube 7, until the closing element is opened as shown in FIG. 13.
[0157] As shown in FIG. 14, in a third step the connector element 9 is moved further downward until the central pole 13 of the tube 7 enters an inner lumen of the inner tube 11 of the connector and thereby removes the valve element 16 from its valve seat to enable fluid flow through the lumen of the inner tube 11 into the concentrate container.
[0158] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a closing element 1 according to a third embodiment. The closing element comprises a main body 4 and in this embodiment six elements or plates movably joined to the main body 4 that together form the closing portion 3 and the pressure receiving portion 5 of the closing element. These elements are arranged in the fashion of flower petals. Each plate has the shape of a section of a circle. The outer edges of each plate in the radial direction are arranged in a rectangu-lar shape.
[0159] At its outer edge, each of these petals is equipped with a protrusion 5a that is part of the pressure receiving portion 5 and may be configured as a hook to hold e.g. an outer tube 10 of a connector element 9 of a blood treatment device. Each plate or petal, in particular the pressure receiving portion thereof, projects outwards over the main body 4 of the closing element 1, so that upon the exertion of pressure thereon, each plate can easily tilt. The plates thus act as levers.
[0160] The elements forming the petals of the flower-shape are separated from each other by intended breaking points 3a. In conjunction with the design of the intended breaking point and the shape of the plates, the provision of separate protrusions has the advantageous effect that the force and strain acting on the intended breaking points upon the exertion of pressure on the plates is optimized.
[0161] FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the closing element of FIG. 15.
[0162] FIG. 17 shows a first step in the connection process of a tube 7 closed by a closing element 1 of FIG. 15 being connected to a connector element 9 of a blood treatment device. At the stage shown in FIG. 17, the connector element 9 and the tube 7 comprising the closing element 1 are aligned to each other.
[0163] At the stage shown in FIG. 18, the connector element 9 has been moved towards the closing element 1 so that the leading edge of the outer tube 10 abuts the pressure receiving portion 5 of the closing element 1.
[0164] At the stage shown in FIG. 19, the connector element 9 has been moved further onto the tube 7 and presses onto the pressure receiving portion 5 of the closing element 1 so that the closing portion 3 of the closing element and thus the intended breaking point 3a thereof is strained due to the tilting or rotating movement of the elements (petals) forming the closing portion 3. The edge of the tube 7 presses against the elements forming the closing portion from the inside of the closing element 1 to facilitate the opening thereof.
[0165] At the stage shown in FIG. 20, the connector element 9 has been moved so far onto the tube 7 that the pressure applied on the pressure receiving portion 5 of the closing element 1 exceeds the force required to break the intended breaking point 3a that is broken in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 20, the elements (petals) forming the closing portion 3 have tilted or rotated to thereby open the closing element 1.
[0166] Thus, in this embodiment, the closing element 1 is opened by a tilting or rotating movement of the elements of the closing portion that act as levers.
[0167] FIG. 21 shows sectional view of a closing element 1 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the material at a connection point 17 between the elements (petals) forming the closing portion 3 and pressure receiving portion 5 and the main body 4 of the closing element 1 has been selectively weakened to ensure easy tilting/rotating of the elements (petals) forming the closing portion 3 and pressure receiving portion 5 upon the application of pressure thereon.
[0168] The weakening of the material preferably involves the removal of up to 50% of the material, preferably up to 30% or up to 20% of the material. Depending on the material, a removal of up to 80% of the material can be possible.
[0169] FIG. 22 illustrates the sequential opening of two fluid lines, in this case the inner tubes 7 thereof, each closed by a closing element 1 according to the present invention. The inner tube 7 arranged to the left in FIG. 22 projects further away from the connector 12 and thus is closer to the connector element 9 of the blood treatment device. As the connector element 9 of the blood treatment device is moved towards the connector 12, the tube 2 on the left is reached by the connector element 9 first and thus is also opened first.
[0170] FIG. 23 shows sectional view of a closing element 1 according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, the main body 4 of the closing element 1 has a hexagonal shape. The closing portion 3 and the pressure receiving portion 5 are formed by six elements arranged like the petals of a flower.
[0171] In this embodiment, each protrusion 5a of the pressure receiving portion 5 of each petal is formed by a grove or recess 5b. The protrusion 5a protrudes relative to the surface defined by the grove 5a.
[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 23, the protrusions 5a of the pressure receiving portion 5 and/or the elements forming the closing portion 3 and/or the pressure receiving portion 5 may be arranged at different positions along the longitudinal direction of the closing element 1.
[0173] For example, in FIG. 23 the element arranged top most in the longitudinal direction is indicated by reference numeral 18. One of the four elements arranged second from the top in the longitudinal direction is indicated by reference numeral 19. The element indicated by reference numeral 20 is arranged lowest in the longitudinal direction of the closing element 1. Thus, the element 18 has a larger thickness than the elements 19 and the element 20 has the smallest thickness. All elements 18, 19, 20 forming the closing portion 3 are attached to the hexagonal main body 4 in the same longitudinal position, e.g. on a common continuous edge of the hexagonal main body. The elements are plates in this embodiment.
[0174] Thus, if a connector element 9 of a blood treatment device is moved onto the closing element 1 coming from the top in FIG. 23, the leading edge of the outer tube 10 of the connector element 9 first hits the top most element 18, then hits the intermediate elements 19 and finally hits the lowest element 20. Thus, the flow cross section of the closing element is sequentially enlarged in a step-wise fashion. In addition to that, the force required for opening the closing element can be reduced.
[0175] FIG. 24a shows a machine connector 30 of a blood treatment device 26 comprising a first part 27 that is movable by rotation around a hinge 28 and a second part 29. In the state shown in FIG. 24a, the connector element 26 is closed so that the first part 27 abuts the second part 29 that is unmovably affixed at the blood treatment device 26.
[0176] The first part 27 comprises two connector elements 9 in the shape of fluid lines for fluidically connecting the blood treatment device 26 e.g. to a concentrate container. The connector elements 9 can have the configuration shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 17-20. The first part 27 can have the shape of a cap or flap that can be moved via the hinge 28. The movement of the first part 27 can be achieved manually or automatically via a motor. The movement of the first part 27 opens the closing element(s) 1 present on the connector 12 and establishes a fluid connection between the blood treatment device 26 and the connector 12.
[0177] FIG. 24b shows the machine connector 30 of FIG. 24a in an open state. A connector 12 has been affixed to the second part 29. The second part 29 comprises two recesses (not visible in FIG. 24b) into that the two attachment elements 21 of the connector 12 have been inserted. The first part 27 comprises two connector elements 9, i.e. fluid lines, that each can be inserted into a recess of the second part 29 for rinsing or can be used to establish a fluid connection to a concentrate container via the connector 12.
[0178] The connector elements 9/fluid lines of the first part of the machine connector 30 of the blood treatment device 26 preferably each comprise an inner tube 11 and an outer tube 10 and thus contain two lumina. The inner tube 11 serves the purpose of conducting fluid and is arranged retracted within the outer tube 10. The outer tube 10 is used e.g. for exerting pressure onto a closing element 1. After the closing element 1 has been opened by the outer tube 10, the inner tube 11 is inserted into the fluid line (e.g. the tube 7) of the connector 12 to fludicially connect the blood treatment device 26 and the connector 12 and the concentrate container attached thereto. Thus, the sterile inner tube 11 is never brought into contact with the non-sterile closing element 1.
[0179] In the lumen of the inner tube 11 a valve comprising a valve element 16 may be arranged. The fluid line of the connector 12, e.g. the tube 7, comprises a means 13, e.g. a central pole, for opening the valve by displacing the valve element 16. Thus, the valve is opened only after the connection of the connector 12 to the machine connector 30 of the blood treatment device. Thus, spilling of fluid from the connector elements 9 or fluid lines is avoided.
[0180] To connect the blood treatment device to the concentrate container, the first part 27 of the machine connector 30 is moved downwards towards the connector 12 until the fluid line/connector element 9 is inserted therein and opens a closing element present on the fluid line/tube of the connector 12.
[0181] The connector 12 is affixed to the second part 29. The second part 29 comprises attachment means to that the connector 12 may be affixed via its attachment means 21. The attachment means of the second part 29 can be for example recesses (such as the recesses 31) or protrusions (such as the protrusions 32). These attachment means are preferably fixedly and non-movably connected to the blood treatment device 26.
[0182] Between treatment sessions, the connector elements 9 of the blood treatment device 26 need to be rinsed or disinfected. For this purpose, the connector elements 9 of the first part 27 are inserted into the recesses 31 of the second part 29 until the lumen of the outer tube 10 is fluidically closed. The inner tube 11 is arranged retracted into the lumen of the outer tube 10 and thus can be rinsed in this position, because the connector element 9 is fluidically short-circuited.
[0183] In this case, rinsing fluid is provided via the lumen of the inner tube 11 and removed to a drain via the lumen of the outer tube 10. Each rinsing recess 31 may be equipped with a structure for actuating a valve to allow the flow of rinsing fluid. These valve actuators can have the shape of central poles 34 (see FIG. 26). In addition to that, the rinsing recesses 31 can be equipped with a drain to remove remaining rinsing fluid.
[0184] FIG. 25 shows a different machine connector 30 of a blood treatment device 26 the first part 27 thereof is translationally movable. In FIG. 25 the rinsing recesses 31 in the second part 29 of the machine connector 30 can be seen. A connector 12 can be affixed to the second part 29 by insertion of the attachment elements 21 into the rinsing recesses 31 and the first part 27 comprising the connector element 9 is subsequently moved downwards to establish a fluid connection between the blood treatment device and the concentrate container through the connector 12.
[0185] FIG. 26 shows a connector 12 of a concentrate container attached to a blood treatment device 26 via its attachment elements 21. The second part 29 of the machine connector of the blood treatment device 26 comprises a movable drawer 33 comprising the rinsing recesses 31. It is also possible to arrange the rinsing recesses 31 in a fixed position relative to the blood treatment device 26. The movable drawer 33 further comprises attachment elements 32 that are pole-shaped.
[0186] The connector 12 comprises attachment elements 21 that have the shape of curved arms configured to receive the corresponding attachment elements 32 of the blood treatment device that are pole-shaped. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 26 the connector is thus not affixed to the blood treatment device via the rinsing recesses 31 but via separate attachment elements 32 and 21 that interact with each other.
[0187] Upon connection of the connector 12 to the movable drawer 33 of the second part 29, the movable drawer 33 is then moved towards the blood treatment device 26.
