DIALYSIS MACHINE WITH AN INTEGRATED DIALYZER COUPLING

Abstract

A dialysis machine with machine-internal fluidics for dialysis fluid and a housing that at least partially encapsulates the fluidics, wherein the fluidics comprise an input line for fresh dialysis fluid to a dialyzer and an output line for used dialysis fluid from the dialyzer, each line equipped at their end sides with a connection port for a releasably coupling with the dialyzer, wherein the port of the input line and the port of the output line are each formed as a coupling integrated into the housing.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An extracorporeal blood treatment machine, the machine comprising: fluidics for a blood treatment fluid; and a machine housing at least in sections surrounding the fluidics; wherein the fluidics comprise an input line for supplying fresh blood treatment fluid to a filter and an output line for receiving used blood treatment fluid from the filter, the input line equipped with a first connection port for releasably coupling the filter to the machine-internal fluidics and the output line equipped with a second connection port for releasably coupling the filter to the machine-internal fluidics; and wherein at least one of the first connection port or the second connection port is formed as a connection coupling integrated into the machine housing.

12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the machine is a dialysis machine.

13. The machine of claim 11, wherein the filter is a dialyzer.

14. The machine of claim 11, wherein the machine housing includes a concave recess formed or arranged at an outer side in the machine housing and wherein the connection coupling is arranged in the concave recess.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein the recess forms a reception trough for the filter.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the filter is held in the reception trough by friction-fit, form-fit, or force-fit.

17. The machine of claim 11, wherein the machine housing comprises a clamping assembly for holding the filter by clamping.

18. The machine of claim 11, wherein the first connection port is formed as a first connection coupling integrated into the machine housing and the second connection port is formed as a second connection coupling integrated into the machine housing and wherein the first and second connection couplings can be repositioned relative to each other.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first or second connection couplings is slidably received in a guide of the machine housing.

20. The machine of claim 11, wherein the connection coupling is a quick coupling for insertion of a dialysis fluid port of the filter, the quick coupling configured to exert on the dialysis fluid port a predetermined and defined holding force that is suitable for affixing the filter to the machine housing.

21. The machine of claim 11, wherein the first connection port is formed as a first connection coupling integrated into the machine housing and the second connection port is formed as a second connection coupling integrated into the machine housing, the machine further comprising: a lid element coupled to the machine housing, the lid element configured to engage the first and second connection couplings.

22. The machine of claim 21, wherein the lid element comprises a fluid passage configured to fluidly connect the first connection coupling with the second connection coupling, when the lid element is arranged at the machine housing in a manner to engage the first and second connection couplings.

23. The machine of claim 21, wherein the lid element is movably held at the machine housing by a joint or a hinge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of the connection area for a dialyzer at a housing of a dialysis machine according to aspects of the invention with closed disinfection flap;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view according to FIG. 1 with opened disinfection flap; and

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view according to FIG. 2 with a dialyzer connected to the internal fluidics of the dialysis machine and held at the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a connection area for a dialyzer 1 at a housing 2 of a dialysis machine 3. FIG. 2 elucidates the invention with an open disinfection flap (removed connection bridge) 4 and FIG. 1 elucidates the invention with a closed disinfection flap (plugged in connection bridge) 4. A recess in form of a depression/trough 5 is formed in the housing 2 of the dialysis machine 3. The recess 5 is concave when viewed from the outside, that means, it is recessed into the drawing plane of the FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0031] In the recess 5, a first connection coupling 6 (in the following simply referred to as first coupling) and a second connection coupling 7 (in the following simply referred to as second coupling) are arranged. These are inserted/accommodated in the oblong holes 8, 9 that are formed at the bottom of the recess 5 and are shown in the figures and can be locked by clamping with those through screwing. Due to being guided in the oblong holes 8, 9, the two couplings 6, 7 can be positioned relative to each other in the direction A. The first coupling 5 is fluidically connected with a fresh dialysis fluid input line not shown in the figures and the second coupling 6 is connected with a used dialysis fluid output line also not shown in the figures.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the connection area with an open disinfection flap 4. In this state the dialyzer 1 is inserted in the connection area as shown in FIG. 3. During this process, its dialysis fluid connection ports at the circumferential surface 10 thereof, that project outwards in radial direction and that cannot be seen in the figures, are plugged in/on or inserted each into the corresponding coupling 5, 6. When the purposeful end position of the dialyzer 1 at the housing 2 is reached, the dialysis fluid side of the dialyzer 1, the fresh dialysis fluid input line and the used dialysis fluid output line are fluidically connected with each other. Furthermore, the dialyzer 1 is held with its dialysis fluid connection ports in the couplings 5, 6 and is removably fixed in position at the housing 2. Apart from tubes/tubing 11 of the extracorporeal blood circuit, no tubes are present in the connection area, so that this area is very clearly arranged and neat.

[0033] The disinfection flap is movably attached at the housing 2 via a joint 12 (hinge). At that side facing the housing 2 in a closed state, the disinfection flap 4 is equipped with closure plugs 13, 14, that are adapted for an engagement and sealing of the couplings 5, 6. The closure plugs 13, 14 can according to one embodiment of the invention be formed as hollow plugs/hollow pins and can be connected with each other via a connection passage that is not shown in the figures and that is formed in the disinfection flap. In such an embodiment, the two couplings 5, 6 can be short-circuited by closing the disinfection flap 4 for example for the purpose of rinsing and cleaning.