CONTAINER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination of a container comprising a connecting portion and of a fluid preparation device, in particular a dialysis machine, which fluid preparation device is suitable for mounting and connecting the connecting portion of the container, wherein the fluid preparation device comprises at least one line which is in fluid communication with the interior of the container at least in the connected position of the container, the container being filled with a first medium, wherein the combination and preferably container comprises a reservoir containing a second medium, wherein the fluid preparation device comprises means for opening the reservoir so that the first and second medium are mixed with each other.

Claims

1. A combination of a container (30) comprising a connecting portion and of a fluid preparation device (50), in particular a dialysis machine, which fluid preparation device (50) is suitable for mounting and connecting the connecting portion (32) of the container (30), wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises at least one line (52) which is in fluid communication with the interior of the container (30) at least in the connected position of the container (30), the container (30) being filled with a first medium, characterized in that the combination and preferably container (30) comprises a reservoir (100) containing a second medium, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) so that the first and second medium are mixed with each other.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line (52) comprises a flushing fluid line (52) for feeding a fluid into the interior of the container (30) and a prepared fluid line (52, 51) for guiding the prepared fluid out of the interior of the container (30), wherein the flushing fluid line (52) and the prepared fluid line (52, 51) are formed by one and the same line (52) or by different lines (51, 52).

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises a mounting connector part (58) suitable for mounting and connecting the connecting portion (32) of the container (30), wherein the mounting connector part (58) at least in part comprises the at least one line (52) and wherein preferably the mounting connector part (58) comprises at least one mounting means (58b) which is adapted to mate with at least one mounting means (34b) of the connecting portion (32) of the container (30), so that the mounting means (58b) of the mounting connector part (58) is in fluid communication with the mounting means (34b) of the connecting portion (32) of the container (30).

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises a lid (60) and wherein the lid (60) comprises the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100).

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the lid (60) is turnable around a joint or axis (60), preferably from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position of the lid (60) the reservoir (100) is still closed and in the second position of the lid (60) the reservoir (100) is opened.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) is fixed to a support movably and preferably pivotably and/or wherein the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) is rod-shaped.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises at least one mechanical stop (300) which is adapted to restrict the scope of movement of the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100).

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises at least one spring (400) which interacts with the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100).

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the reservoir (100) contains a housing (102), preferably a cylindrical housing, as well as a piston (104) which is moveable relative to the housing (102) in a first direction and wherein the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) interact with the piston (104) in said first direction or basically in said first direction.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein one or more sensors are provided for sensing the position of the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) or for sensing the position of the support to which the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) are mounted and/or wherein one or more fixing means are provided for fixing the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) or for fixing the support to which the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) are mounted.

11. Fluid preparation device (50), in particular dialysis machine, which is adapted for mounting and connecting the connecting portion of a container (30), wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises at least one line (52, 51) and wherein the fluid preparation device (50) is adapted such that the at least one line (52, 51) can be brought in fluid communication with the interior of the container (30) at least in the connected position of the container (30), the container (30) being filled with a first medium characterized in that a reservoir (100) containing a second medium is provided, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises means for opening (56) said reservoir (100).

12. Fluid preparation device (50) according to claim 11, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises a lid (60) and wherein the lid (60) comprises the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100).

13. Fluid preparation device (50) according to claim 12, wherein the lid (60) is turnable around a joint or axis (62), preferably from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the reservoir (100) is still closed and in the second position the reservoir (100) is opened.

14. Method for the preparation of a composition, in particular of a composition for preparing a dialysis fluid by use of a combination according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) putting the container (30) with its connection portion (32) into the fluid preparation device (50), b) moving the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100), c) and opening the reservoir (100) effected by said movement of the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) and mixing the first medium and the second medium.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the fluid preparation device (50) comprises lid (60), wherein the lid (60) comprises the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100), and moving the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) is performed by moving the lid (60).

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein movement of the lid (60) is performed by pivoting the lid (60) and/or wherein the direction of the movement of the means for opening (56) the reservoir (100) corresponds or basically corresponds to the direction in which a piston of the reservoir (100) is moveable relative to a housing of the reservoir (100).

Description

[0045] The invention is described below in more detail using embodiments shown in the following figures as follows:

[0046] FIGS. 1-3: sectional views of the reservoir and of the mounting connector part as well as of the lid in different positions of the lid,

[0047] FIG. 4: a further cross-sectional view of the mounting connector part and of the lid in a closed position without reservoir,

[0048] FIG. 5: a further cross-sectional view of the lid and of the means for open ing the reservoir,

[0049] FIG. 6: a further cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 5 together with the mounting connector part and the reservoir,

[0050] FIG. 7: a perspective view of the container, the mounting connector part and the lid and

[0051] FIG. 8: a perspective view of the connecting portion of the container together with the reservoir.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows the lid 60 in a first, opened position. In this position, the means for opening the reservoir 56 which consists of a rod, made for example of metal, and a cover 56 which is made for example from plastics, is not in contact with the reservoir.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 one end of the rod 56 is provided with said cover 56. The other end of the rod 56 is pivotally connected via a joint or axis 57 to the lid 60.

[0054] Accordingly, the rod 56 is not fixedly mounted to the lid 60 but is moveable within a predefined range.

[0055] As further shown in FIG. 1 the fluid preparation device 50 not only comprises the lid 60 but also a mounting connector part 58 which is adapted to be connected to a container. Reference is made to FIG. 7 and the corresponding explanations above which are part of this invention as well.

[0056] The container which is not shown in FIGS. 1-6 is connected with or arranged below the reservoir 100 which comprises a housing 102 as well as a piston 104 which is moveable relative to the housing 102. The reservoir is filled with a second medium which is different to the medium contained in the container.

[0057] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the reservoir 100 is filled with a liquid such as an acid.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1 the piston 104 has a slanted lower edge, which provides as a cutting tool for opening the button B of the housing 102 of the reservoir 100.

[0059] The movement of the lid 60 from the position shown in FIG. 1 around axis 60 to the position shown in FIG. 2 results in a contact between the rod 56 or the cover 56 with the upper portion of the piston 104 which has an indentation as shown in the figure. This situation is shown in FIG. 2. In this position of the lid 60 the reservoir 100 is still closed so that its content is not mixed with the content of the container. The rod 56 is accommodated in said indentation.

[0060] If the lid 60 is pressed downwards starting from FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 the rod 56 moves the piston 104 in a downward direction relative to the housing 102 and the lower slanted edge of the piston 104 opens the bolt B of the reservoir 100 so that the second medium such as an acid is emptied from the reservoir into the container. This position is shown in FIG. 3.

[0061] As outlined above the container may comprise electrolytes, preferably in a solid form. In addition the container may comprise preferably solid osmotic agents such as glucose.

[0062] The reservoir 100 preferably contains an acid, preferably a solid acid, which is mixed with the content of the container upon opening of the reservoir.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3 the downward movement of the lid inevitably results in an opening of the reservoir so that the likelihood that the reservoir is closed although the lid is in its closed downward position is minimized.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a position in which no container is located in the mounting connector part of the fluid preparation device. In this case the lid is completely closed and the rod may be accommodated in a space of the mounting connector part which is designated with reference numeral S.

[0065] As outlined above and as shown in more detail in FIG. 5 the rod 56 is not fixedly mounted at the lid but is moveably relative to the lid, e. g. via axis 57. The arrows in FIG. 5 designate mechanical stops 300 which are formed by abutments which limit the pivoting movement of the rod 56 relative to the axis 57.

[0066] Furthermore, reference numeral 400 designates a spring which interacts with the rod so that a force is posed into the rod preferably in the direction of the mechanical stops.

[0067] If the lid 60 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 the lid performs a rotational movement around axis 60. In case that the rod 56 would be fixedly mounted to the lid 60 the rod 56 would exactly make the same kind of movement as the lid 60. This might have the effect that the rod 56 would be moved in a lateral direction after contacting the piston in FIG. 2 which might lead to a tilting or any other dysfunction of the opening of the reservoir.

[0068] Due to the flexible mounting of the rod 56 my means of a joint, hinge, axis, etc. a smooth and steady movement of the piston is realized.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 together with the reservoir 100 in the position of the rod 56 which corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 2.

[0070] The use of at least one spring and at least one mechanical stop ensures that the rod is positioned on the piston in the correct position and orientation.

[0071] As further outlined above one or more sensors 200, such as Hall sensors, may be provided for detecting the position of the lid and/or of the means for opening the reservoir, such as the rod. These sensors may be connected with a controller which is adapted so as to allow the start of the treatment depending on the signal of the sensor. If the sensor detects a position of the lid and/or of the means for opening the reservoir which is not the correct one, this controller may inhibit the start of the treatment because it is assumed that the reservoir has not been opened.

[0072] Furthermore, the connecting portion of the container or any other part of the container such as a reservoir may have identification means for identification of the container and in particular of the content thereof. Reading means may be provided which read out those identification means and allow start of the treatment only if the correct identification has been verified.

[0073] Furthermore there may be provided fixing means for fixing the lid in one or more predetermined positions to secure the correct operation of the device.

[0074] Furthermore there may be one or more channels for ventilating the interior of the container when the fluid is drained from the container. Those channels may be provided in the mounting connector part and/or in the connecting portion of the container.

[0075] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the fresh fluid may be guided into the container by line 52, the mounting means 34b and 58b and preferably by means of a tube within the container according the embodiment shown in DE 10 2011 106 248 A1 and the prepared solution may be drained from the container by the same line.

[0076] Alternatively the fresh fluid line and the prepared fluid line may be different parts of the arrangement. Accordingly the fresh fluid line may be line 51 and the prepared fluid line may be line 51 as explained above with respect to the embodiment disclosed in EP 1 344 550 B1.