Dialysis machine and arrangement and method for heating a dialysis solution

Abstract

A dialysis machine, in particular a peritoneal dialysis machine, has a heating device for heating a container containing a dialysis solution, in particular a peritoneal dialysis solution. The heating device is configured such that the heating of the dialysis solution by the heating device takes place non-uniformly at points.

Claims

1. A dialysis machine comprising: an assembly including a positionable container containing a dialysis solution that is to be heated and a heating device for heating the container, the heating device including a plurality of regions and a control unit, and the container being positioned in an asymmetrical arrangement relative to the heating device; and a receiver for receiving the container, with at least one of the heating device and the receiver being inclined with respect to the horizontal, the control unit being configured to operate the plurality of regions of the heating device at different levels of power so as to transfer different quantities of heat, such that the heating of the dialysis solution by the heating device takes place non-uniformly at points throughout the dialysis solution so as to provide a temporary temperature gradient in the dialysis solution.

2. The dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heating device is arranged at the receiver and is distributed non-uniformly over the receiver.

3. The dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heating device that provides the temporary temperature gradient effects convective flow of the dialysis solution within the container, which provides for intermixing of the non-uniformly heated points throughout the dialysis solution.

4. The dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the plurality of regions of the heating device with a time offset.

5. The dialysis machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more temperature sensors that detect the temperature of the heating device and/or the temperature of the receiver for the container and/or the temperature of the container itself, the control unit being configurable to operate the heating device in dependence on the value or values measured.

6. The dialysis machine according to claim 1, wherein the dialysis machine is a peritoneal dialysis machine.

7. The dialysis machine according to claim 1, wherein the dialysis solution is a peritoneal dialysis solution.

8. The dialysis machine according to claim 1, wherein the container is arranged in the receiver such that a portion of the container other than an overhanging portion of the container projects over the heating device.

9. The dialysis machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating device that provides the temporary temperature gradient effects convective flow of the dialysis solution within the container, which provides for homogenization of a concentration of substances dissolved in the dialysis solution.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. There are shown:

(2) FIG. 1: schematic representations of arrangements with a receiver, a heating device and a bag;

(3) FIG. 2: plan views of receivers with differently arranged heating devices;

(4) FIG. 3: a further plan view of a receiver with a heating device; and

(5) FIG. 4: a plan view of a receiver with a heating device with a bag arranged at different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

(7) FIG. 1 a) shows a bag containing a dialysis solution by reference numeral 10. The bag is located on a support surface 20 of the receiver 30 designed as a slanted surface. Reference numeral 40 shows the heating device in the form of a hot plate that is embedded into the receiver 30 and terminates at its upper side. A line section is marked by reference symbol b that leads to the patient in accordance with the direction of the arrow. Reference symbol a marks the bag section that projects beyond the hot plate 40.

(8) Volumes of 1-10 I, preferably of 2 to 8 I, can be used for the containers. Other volumes are, however, likewise conceivable.

(9) Elements that are the same or have the same function are marked by the same reference numerals in the Figures.

(10) An embodiment can be seen from FIG. 1 b) in which the bag 10 is larger than the receiver or than the heating device 40. The bag 10 thus projects beyond the receiver 30 both at its upper end and at its lower end. Reference symbol W marks the warm solution and reference symbol K marks the solution that is cold with respect to it. The first rises and the latter falls so that a circle or a barrel-like flow marked by arrows results within the bag 10 that ultimately produces a good intermixing and thus a homogeneous temperature distribution within the bag.

(11) FIG. 1 c) shows an embodiment in which the hot plate 40 produces a constant power over its length so that a constant thermal input takes place as is symbolized by the arrows of equal length. In contrast, FIG. 1 d) shows an embodiment in which a spatially non-uniform energy input takes place, with the thermal input in the region inclined upwardly being larger than in the region inclined downwardly.

(12) Two plan views of receivers 30 whose heating devices respectively have two heating elements 51, 52 in accordance with FIG. 2 a) can be seen from FIG. 2. In accordance with FIG. 2 a), these heating coils extend lengthways, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the receiver 30 that faces in the direction of the inclination of the heating surface. The heating elements are, however, not located in the total receiver 30; the region of the receiver shown at the left is designed without a heating device. A temperature gradient that drives a convection flow of the solution is generated in the dialysis solution by the asymmetrical embodiment of the heating elements 51, 52 under a thermally conductive surface. This produces a homogeneous intermixing of the dialysis solution.

(13) The active heating surface can also be designed as a singular heating element. In this respect, the one heating element can then only be located in the lower part or also only in the upper part.

(14) The inclination of the heating surface along the longitudinal axis is also indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2 b). In accordance with FIG. 2 b), the heating coils 53, 54 are oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis and have separately controllable segments.

(15) A heating element, e.g. the element 53, is activated at a time t=0 to generate a temperature gradient. The latter generates a convection flow in the dialysis solution.

(16) The second heating coil 54 is switched in at a later time t=1 to enable a heating of the solution that is as effective as possible. The gradient can be checked by temperature sensors in both segments 53, 54 and the gradient and/or the convection can be monitored by a targeted switching off and on of the elements. The intermixing can also be implemented in a horizontally arranged heating plate or receiver by this embodiment.

(17) FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2 a), with the active heating surface, approximately 70% of the visible hot plate or support surface of the receiver comprising a thermally conductive material. The bag 10 is shown as dashed.

(18) In an embodiment, the total power of the heating device amounts to 400 W. Temperature sensors that check the heating process are located at the center of the heating plate. The sensors have a target temperature of 39? C. A 6 I solution bag that has been completely placed on is heated over a time period of 180 minutes. The bag reaches a surface temperature of 38? C. after approximately 112 minutes.

(19) A bag 10 located on the receiver can be seen in two different positions from FIG. 4.

(20) Position 1 corresponds to that in accordance with FIG. 3.

(21) In position 2, the right marginal region of the bag 10 projects beyond the heating device. A temperature gradient and thus a convection flow are also thereby achieved, whereby a homogeneous heating and intermixing of the dialysis solution is achieved.

(22) The invention being thus described, it will be apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be recognized by one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.