CN114364413A - System and method for connecting a concentrate container to a blood processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for connecting a concentrate container to a blood treatment device, wherein hygiene is improved. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container and a blood treatment device for use in the method according to the invention.

Description

System and method for connecting a concentrate container to a blood processing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and a method for connecting a concentrate container to a blood treatment device, preferably a hemodialysis machine for kidney replacement therapy. Further aspects of the invention relate to a container and a blood processing device configured for use in the method according to the invention.

Background

For chronic blood treatment, in particular for chronic dialysis, nowadays almost exclusively bicarbonate-based dialysis solutions are used, which are produced by the blood treatment device itself/on-line during the treatment by diluting acidic and alkaline concentrates, preferably powder concentrates, with water. It has therefore been established practice to produce the alkaline concentrate on-line during the treatment, i.e. to produce the liquid alkaline concentrate continuously during the treatment by diluting the dry concentrate/powder concentrate with water.

To this end, the dry powder concentrate is typically provided in a container fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device such that water may be dispensed into the container by the blood treatment device to dissolve the dry concentrate. At the same time, the alkaline liquid concentrate/bicarbonate solution produced in this way is withdrawn from the concentrate container by the blood treatment device. Such a conventional concentrate container is known from e.g. EP 1344550.

In conventional blood processing devices known in the prior art, the concentrate container cannot be connected to the hydraulic system/fluid system of the blood processing device during the disinfection/flushing of the blood processing device.

For this reason, the medical staff has to connect the concentrate container to the blood treatment device after the disinfection/flushing of the blood treatment device and before the extracorporeal circuit of the blood treatment device is prepared/started for treatment. This requires that the medical staff is present at the blood treatment device right at this time.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container for a concentrate which can be mounted to a blood processing device at any convenient point in time and which also makes the process of fluidly coupling the container to the blood processing device more hygienic. The invention achieves this object in that, according to the invention, the container can be attached to the blood treatment device before the point in time at which a fluid connection is established between the machine and the container, so that after the disinfection or cleaning of the blood treatment machine is completed, the container can be easily connected to the blood treatment machine with a minimum of treatment steps performed by medical staff.

In other words, according to the invention, by attaching the container to the blood treatment device, everything is preset/arranged for actually fluidly connecting the container to the blood treatment device, so that the number of treatment steps performed by medical personnel can be reduced and thus the risk of contamination can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to the prior art, a certain amount of force is required to connect the container to the blood treatment device. In order to make the blood treatment device and the concentrate container as user-friendly as possible, it is common that the blood treatment machine and the corresponding concentrate container are configured such that the connecting element of the container is inserted into the connecting element of the machine in a downward movement, such that gravity assists the movement of the connecting element of the container into/onto the connecting element of the machine.

However, a disadvantage of this configuration is that, since the opening of the connecting element of the container is open in a downward direction (so that the connecting element of the container can be coupled with a corresponding connecting element of the blood treatment device by moving the connecting element of the container in a downward movement from above the connecting element of the blood treatment device), the liquid concentrate may drip from the connecting element of the container after the treatment is finished and the concentrate container is removed from the blood treatment device. These liquid concentrates may then collect in the connecting element of the blood treatment device, causing unwanted crystallization and thus possibly clogging the connecting element of the blood treatment device.

In addition to this, in blood processing devices according to the prior art, the liquid concentrate may spill, leak or drip from a withdrawal line of the blood processing device, which withdrawal line is configured to withdraw concentrate from the container when the container is disconnected from the blood processing device. Crystallization can occur as a result of solute contained in the liquid concentrate, as an additional disadvantage of these spills is often unhygienic.

These liquid concentrates may then collect in the connecting elements of the blood treatment device, causing unwanted crystallization and thus possibly clogging of the connecting elements of the blood treatment device.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a container and/or a system comprising a container and a blood treatment device which avoids such undesired dripping of liquid concentrate during removal of the container from the blood treatment device, thus improving hygiene.

This object is solved by the present invention. The present invention uses a container to collect any droplets that drip from the connecting element of the blood processing apparatus. For this purpose, the opening element of the container according to the invention is preferably open in an upward direction, so that the connecting element of the blood treatment device can be inserted into the opening/connecting element of the container from above in a downward movement, or the connecting element of the container can be moved in an upward movement, so that the connecting element of the blood treatment device can be inserted into the opening of the container/into the connecting element of the container.

Furthermore, the invention provides a container which is easier and cheaper to manufacture, as fluid flows from the blood treatment device along the connecting element in the form of a linear channel through the connecting portion of the container and into the container, and vice versa. In other words, the structure of the connecting portion of the container can be simplified compared to the prior art, where the connecting portion is usually connected to the blood treatment device via a downward movement, which determines the design of the opening of the container opening at the lower surface of the connecting portion. Thus, according to the prior art, the fluid flowing through the connecting portion of the container is not strictly linear/unidirectional, but the fluid is turned in multiple directions, which requires a more complex design and more material.

In addition to this, the structure of the container according to the invention, in particular the structure of its connecting portion, allows the filter to be more easily fitted into the opening of the fluid inlet and/or outlet of the container.

A container for a concentrate according to an aspect of the invention comprises: a body for containing a concentrate; at least one attachment element configured to reversibly attach the container to a corresponding at least one attachment element disposed on the blood processing device; and at least one connecting element configured to interact with a corresponding at least one connecting element provided on the blood processing device to fluidly couple the container with the blood processing device, wherein the at least one attachment element protrudes in a first direction and the at least one connecting element protrudes in a second direction oriented substantially at right angles to the first direction.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one attachment element and the at least one connection element may protrude in parallel directions. For example, the parallel direction may protrude substantially at right angles to a longitudinal axis of a body of a container holding the concentrate. In case the container is attached at and/or connected to the blood treatment device, said parallel direction may also protrude substantially at right angles to a side surface axis of the body of the blood treatment device. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the container is configured to be attached at and/or connected to the blood treatment device in a plug and socket manner. Such an arrangement may be particularly stable and easy to use.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first direction in which the at least one attachment element protrudes is oriented substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body of the container. The attachment element of the blood device is preferably inserted into the attachment element of the container in a first direction. If the attachment element of the container is hook-shaped, the attachment element of the blood treatment device inserted into the hook-shaped attachment element of the container preferably protrudes in the first direction.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the second direction in which the at least one connecting element protrudes is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body of the container, and if the at least one connecting element has the form of a hollow cylinder which is open at an end face of the container opposite the body of the container, and is configured to receive a corresponding connecting element of the blood treatment device, such as a mouthpiece. The at least one connecting element of the container preferably has an opening at the (top) end face of the container facing away from the body of the container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container comprises two attachment elements, each formed as a hook configured to hook onto a corresponding attachment element provided on the blood treatment device, the corresponding attachment element preferably being formed as a stud for receiving the hook of the container for reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device, the stud preferably comprising a circumferential groove.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the container comprises two attachment elements, each formed as a hollow cylinder configured to receive a corresponding attachment element provided on the blood treatment device, the corresponding attachment element being formed as a stud to be inserted into the hollow cylinder of the container to reversibly attach the container to the blood treatment device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container comprises the following two connection elements: the two connecting elements are in the form of hollow cylinders open at the end face of the container opposite/facing away from the body of the container and are configured to receive corresponding connecting elements of the blood treatment device, such as a spout, wherein the spout of the blood treatment device is inserted into each hollow cylinder in a direction projecting from the end face of the container opposite the body of the container towards the body of the container.

In order to ensure the storage stability of the concentrate contained in the container, at least the connecting element is advantageously sealed by a cap which is removably attached to an end face of the container opposite/facing away from the body of the container, preferably in the form of a flexible membrane.

For example, the lid may be bonded or welded to an end face of the container opposite the body of the container. The end face comprising the opening of the at least one connection element of the container preferably faces the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device and forms the top end face of the container when the container is attached and connected to the blood treatment device.

To make the container more user friendly, the flexible membrane forming the lid preferably comprises a surface configured to be easily peeled off the end face of the container. In other words, the surface of the flexible film is surface treated to allow a user to easily peel the flexible film from the end face of the container, thereby exposing the at least one connecting element of the container, such as a central opening of the container, through which the container can be filled with the dry concentrate.

To ensure that the container is properly mounted to the blood processing device, the container may be configured to attach to the blood processing device according to a lock and key configuration. To this end, the container may comprise the following two attachment elements: the two attachment elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be attached to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position. The blood processing device in this embodiment preferably comprises two corresponding attachment elements of different sizes and/or geometries.

Alternatively or additionally, the container or the blood treatment device may comprise the following two connection elements: the two connecting elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be fluidly coupled to the blood processing device in only one defined mounting position. The blood treatment device or container in this embodiment preferably comprises two corresponding connection elements.

The number of attachment elements and/or connection elements provided on the container and/or the blood treatment device is arbitrary and may vary depending on the specific application.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a blood processing device configured for use with a container according to the invention.

This blood processing apparatus includes: a main body; at least one attachment element to which a corresponding attachment element of a container for concentrate can be attached, wherein the at least one attachment element is movable relative to the main body in a direction protruding substantially at right angles to a side surface of the main body; and at least one connection element configured to fluidly couple the blood processing device to a container for a concentrate. The body of the blood processing device includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces. The side surface of the blood treatment device may also be referred to as the front surface, depending on the direction from the user's perspective.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one attachment element of the blood treatment device has the form of a pin or stud projecting outwardly from a side surface of the main body, and the at least one connection element has the form of a spout projecting in a direction substantially parallel to the side surface of the main body.

It has proven to be advantageous if the blood treatment device further comprises a movable and/or motorized guiding element, preferably with a cavity formed therein, and the at least one attachment element is mounted to the movable and preferably motorized guiding element. The guiding element may be movable/moveable to a first position in which the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device, preferably a mouthpiece for fluidly connecting the blood treatment device to the container, is received in a cavity provided on the guiding element, thereby allowing flushing of the blood treatment device.

In the first position, the cavity in the guiding element shorts and/or closes the internal fluid circuit of the blood treatment device to form a closed circuit so that the flushing liquid may circulate in the blood treatment device.

The guiding element may also be movable/moveable to a second position in which the mouthpiece is in fluid connection with a container attached to the at least one attachment element of the blood treatment device. The guide element is preferably movable in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction.

In the second position, the guiding element preferably positions the container, in particular the at least one connecting element of the container, attached to the at least one attachment element mounted on the guiding element relative to the at least one connecting element of the blood treatment device such that the container is fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device.

The guide element may be moved by a motor of the blood treatment device. In this case, the movement of the guide element is preferably automatic. Alternatively, the guide element may be moved manually. In this case, the blood treatment device preferably has a lever or the like that allows the user to manually move the guide element. In other words, the steps of the methods disclosed herein may be performed automatically or manually.

Preferably, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device, such as the mouthpiece, is movable in a vertical direction substantially parallel to a side surface of the main body of the blood treatment device.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is movable in a downward direction towards the bottom surface of the main body of the blood treatment device. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is movable in an upward direction towards a top surface of the body of the blood treatment device.

For example, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device may first be moved upwards to allow the container attached to the attachment element to be moved by the guiding element to the following positions: in this position, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is aligned in a vertical direction with the at least one connection element of the container.

Subsequently, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device may be moved downwards by the guiding element to fluidly couple the container to the blood treatment device, for example by inserting the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device into the at least one connection element of the container.

At a later stage, for example after the concentrate contained in the container has been used up, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device may be retracted upwards again to withdraw the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device from the at least one connection element of the container, thereby fluidly separating/separating the container and the blood treatment device from each other.

The blood processing apparatus preferably further comprises a protruding portion provided on a side surface of the main body. The guide element is preferably movable relative to the projection in the manner of a drawer. In other words, the guide element may be slidably movable with respect to the protruding portion in a direction substantially at right angles to the side surface of the blood treatment device, i.e. in a horizontal direction.

Preferably, the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is mounted to the protruding portion and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to a side surface of the blood treatment device to protrude from the protruding portion (preferably in a vertical direction downwards towards a bottom surface of the blood treatment device). It is also preferred that the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is retractable/movable into the protruding portion in a vertical direction substantially parallel to the side surface of the blood treatment device.

The movement of the guiding element and/or the at least one connecting element of the blood treatment device may be performed automatically or non-automatically, mechanically and/or manually.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the blood treatment device comprises two attachment elements, each formed as a pin/stud preferably comprising a circumferential groove for receiving a corresponding attachment element of the container, preferably formed as a hook, for reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device. The hook may be inserted into the circumferential groove to prevent slippage.

In order to ensure that the container is correctly mounted to the blood treatment device in only one possible mounting position, the blood treatment device preferably comprises two attachment elements which are formed in different sizes and/or geometrical configurations to allow the container to be attached to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position.

Alternatively or additionally, the blood treatment device may comprise two connecting elements which are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising at least one container according to the invention and at least one blood treatment device according to the invention.

Preferably, the container is reversibly attached to the blood treatment device by means of at least one attachment element provided on the container interacting with at least one attachment element provided on the blood treatment device.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one connection element of the blood processing device is fluidly coupled to the at least one connection element of the container.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a container for a concentrate, preferably a container according to the invention, to a blood treatment device, preferably a blood treatment device according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of:

-reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device by means of at least one attachment element provided on the container and at least one attachment element provided on the blood treatment device;

-moving the container towards the body of the blood treatment device in a horizontal direction/a direction projecting substantially at right angles to the side surface of the body of the blood treatment device;

-moving at least one connection element of the blood treatment device and/or the container in a vertical direction/direction protruding substantially parallel to a side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, thereby inserting said at least one connection element of the blood treatment device into said at least one connection element of the container, thereby fluidly coupling the container to the blood treatment device.

In order to prevent uncontrolled dripping of liquid from the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device, which may lead to the formation of contaminations and/or crystals on the components of the blood treatment device, the method may comprise the following additional steps: using the container to capture any droplets or spills originating from the at least one connection element of the blood processing apparatus.

These additional steps may be, for example:

-moving the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device and/or the container in a vertical direction/direction protruding substantially parallel to a side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, thereby removing the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device inserted into the at least one connection element of the container from the at least one connection element of the container, thereby fluidly separating the container from the blood treatment device; and

-halting the movement of the container in: in this position, the at least one connection element of the container is at least partially aligned with the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device in a vertical direction/direction protruding substantially parallel to a side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, such that any liquid dripping from the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is received by the at least one connection element of the container.

In other words, after disconnecting the container from the blood treatment device, the container is not immediately removed, but rather remains vertically below a connecting element of the blood treatment device, such as a spout, for a period of time to catch any droplets that drip down from the connecting element.

Furthermore, the method may comprise a rinsing step in which the blood treatment device is rinsed before connecting the container to the blood treatment device or after disconnecting the container from the blood treatment device.

In this embodiment, the blood treatment device preferably comprises a movable and/or motorized guiding element comprising the at least one attachment element of the blood treatment device and further comprising a cavity configured to receive the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device. The method further comprises the steps of:

-moving the guiding element to a flushing position in which the at least one connection element of the blood treatment device is received in the cavity, thereby fluidly sealing the blood treatment device from the outside and allowing flushing of the blood treatment device.

In other words, instead of inserting the connecting element of the blood treatment device into the connecting element of the container to e.g. dispense water into the container to dissolve the concentrate powder to form the liquid concentrate, in the flushing position the connecting element of the blood treatment device is inserted into the cavity of the guiding element.

Thus, the internal fluid circuit of the blood treatment device is closed and the flushing fluid can circulate in the blood treatment device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, all method steps except the step of reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device by means of the at least one attachment element provided on the container and the at least one attachment element provided on the blood treatment device are performed automatically by the blood treatment device.

This has the advantage that: no personnel are required to manually connect the container to the blood processing apparatus. Rather, the container may be attached to the blood processing device at any convenient time (e.g., during normal working hours), and the blood processing device automatically establishes a fluid connection between the container and the blood processing device as needed (on demand) at a particular point in time, e.g., as determined by a processing protocol (e.g., at night).

According to a different embodiment of the invention, the method steps are performed manually, for example by medical personnel performing the movement of the container, the guide element or other components by means of an actuating rod or similar structure.

In other words, the present invention can be described as follows:

one aspect of the invention relates to a container for a concentrate, the container comprising: a body for containing a concentrate; a connection portion having a flat end face and configured to connect the container to a blood processing apparatus; two attachment elements disposed at two opposite sides of the connection portion and configured to reversibly attach the container to two corresponding attachment elements disposed on the blood processing device; and two connecting elements each comprising an opening at a planar end face of the connecting portion and configured to interact with two corresponding connecting elements provided on the blood treatment device to fluidly couple the container with the blood treatment device by inserting the connecting elements provided on the blood treatment device into the connecting elements of the container, wherein the two attaching elements protrude in a first direction and the two connecting elements protrude in a second direction oriented substantially at right angles to the first direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said second direction in which said two connecting elements protrude is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body of the container, and each of said two connecting elements has the form of a hollow cylinder open at said flat end face of said connecting portion.

Preferably, the attachment elements are each formed as a hook or a hollow cylinder.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the two connecting elements are sealed by a cover in the form of a flexible film which is removably attached to the flat end face of the connecting portion, and wherein the flexible film is peelable from the flat end face of the connecting portion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the container comprises the following two attachment elements: the two attachment elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be attached to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position, and/or wherein the container comprises the following two connection elements: the two connecting elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be fluidly coupled to a blood processing device in only one defined mounting position.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a blood processing apparatus comprising: a main body; two attachment elements to which corresponding attachment elements of a container for concentrate can be attached, wherein the two attachment elements are movable relative to the main body in a direction protruding substantially at right angles to a side surface of the main body; and two connecting elements configured to fluidly couple the blood processing device to a container for concentrate.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the two attachment elements each have the form of a stud projecting outwardly from a lateral surface of the main body, and the two connection elements each have the form of a spout projecting in a direction substantially parallel to the lateral surface of the main body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the two attachment elements are mounted on a movable and/or motorized guide element, which is preferably movable in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction and which comprises a cavity, which guide element is movable between a first position in which two connection elements for fluidly connecting the blood treatment device to the container are received in the cavity, allowing the blood treatment device to be rinsed, and a second position in which the two connection elements are fluidly connectable or fluidly connected to the container to which the two attachment elements of the blood treatment device are attached.

Preferably, the two connecting elements are movable in a direction substantially parallel to the side surface of the body of the blood treatment device and in a direction towards the bottom surface of the body of the blood treatment device.

The two attachment elements may be formed with different dimensions and/or geometries to allow the container to be attached to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position, and/or the two connection elements are formed with different dimensions and/or geometries to allow the container to be fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising at least one container according to the invention and at least one blood treatment device according to the invention, wherein preferably the container is reversibly attached to the blood treatment device by means of two attachment elements provided on the container interacting with two attachment elements provided on the blood treatment device and/or two connection elements of the blood treatment device are fluidly coupled to two connection elements of the container.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a container for a concentrate, preferably a container according to the invention, to a blood treatment device, preferably a blood treatment device according to the invention, comprising the steps of:

-reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device by means of two attachment elements provided on the container and two attachment elements provided on the blood treatment device;

-moving the container towards the body of the blood treatment device in a direction projecting substantially at right angles to the lateral surface of the body of the blood treatment device;

-moving the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device and/or the container in a direction protruding substantially parallel to the side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, thereby inserting the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device into the two connecting elements of the container, thereby fluidly coupling the container to the blood treatment device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of:

-moving the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device and/or the container in a direction protruding substantially parallel to the side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, thereby removing the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device inserted into the two connecting elements of the container from the two connecting elements of the container; and

-halting the movement of the container in: in this position, the two connecting elements of the container and the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device are at least partially aligned in a direction protruding substantially parallel to the side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, so that any liquid dripping from the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device is received by the two connecting elements of the container.

Preferably, the blood treatment device comprises a movable and/or motorized guiding element comprising two connecting elements of the blood treatment device and further comprising a cavity configured to receive the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device, the method further comprising the steps of:

-moving the guiding element into a flushing position in which the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device are received in the cavity, thereby fluidly sealing the blood treatment device from the outside and allowing flushing of the blood treatment device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, all method steps except the step of reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device by means of two attachment elements provided on the container and two attachment elements provided on the blood treatment device are performed automatically by the blood treatment device.

Alternatively, all method steps are performed manually by the user by moving a guide element, a container or the like by means of a lever or similar structure.

Drawings

Other features, advantages and technical effects of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a container according to the present invention comprising a peelable flexible film to seal the connecting elements of the container;

FIG. 3 illustrates how a user can peel the flexible film from the end face of the container;

FIG. 4 illustrates a user almost completely removing the flexible membrane from the top end face of the container;

fig. 5 shows a connection portion of a concentrate container according to the prior art;

FIG. 6 illustrates a connection portion of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the connection portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the connection portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the connection portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 shows another side view of the connection portion shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 shows a top view of the connection portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 shows a different side view of the connection portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective top view of the connecting portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 shows a detailed view of the connection portion of FIG. 6 sealed by a flexible membrane;

fig. 17 shows a blood processing apparatus according to the present invention comprising two attachment elements;

fig. 18 shows how a container is attached to the attachment element of the blood processing device of fig. 17;

fig. 19 shows the container-attached blood processing apparatus of fig. 17.

FIG. 20 shows a detailed view of the blood processing apparatus of FIG. 17 with the guide element positioned in a closed flush position relative to the projection;

fig. 21 shows a side view of the blood processing machine of fig. 17, wherein the guide element is positioned in a closed flush position relative to the projection;

fig. 22 shows the blood processing device of fig. 21, wherein the container is attached to an attachment element of the blood processing device;

fig. 23 shows a sectional view illustrating the flushing position of the guiding element with respect to the protruding part;

fig. 24 shows a perspective view of a container attached to an attachment element of a blood processing device in a closed flush position;

fig. 25 shows the container connected to the blood processing device at the following positions: where the container is fluidly coupled to a blood processing device;

FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 shows a blood processing apparatus fluidly coupled to a container;

FIG. 28 shows the blood processing apparatus of FIG. 27 in a flush position;

fig. 29 shows the guide element and the protruding part of the blood treatment device in the closed flushing position.

FIG. 30 shows the arrangement of FIG. 29 with the container already attached;

FIG. 31 illustrates a position in which the container is fluidly coupled to a blood processing apparatus;

fig. 32 shows how the container is attached to an accessory element of the blood treatment device;

fig. 33 illustrates how the guiding element is moved inwardly towards the side surface of the body of the blood treatment device to position the container in a position that can be fluidly coupled with the connecting element of the blood treatment device;

fig. 34 shows the position of the coupling element of the blood treatment device and the coupling element of the container aligned in a vertical direction;

FIG. 35 shows how the container is moved upwards to insert the connecting element of the blood treatment device into the connecting element of the container;

fig. 36 illustrates the position of a container fluidly coupled to a blood processing apparatus during blood processing.

FIG. 37 shows how the container is moved downwards after the treatment has ended, in order to fluidically separate the connecting element of the container from the connecting element of the blood treatment device;

fig. 38 shows how the container is held in a position in which the connecting element of the blood treatment device and the connecting element of the container are fluidly coupled but aligned in a vertical direction;

fig. 39 illustrates how droplets dripping from the connecting element of the blood processing apparatus are captured by the enrichment bag;

fig. 40 shows how the container is removed from the blood treatment device after the end of the treatment by moving it away from the side surface of the blood treatment device;

FIG. 41 shows how the container is detached from the blood processing device after the end of the treatment;

fig. 42 shows how the guide element is then moved into the flushing position by aligning the cavity provided on the guide element in the vertical direction with the connection element of the blood treatment device; and

fig. 43 illustrates the guide element in a flushing position, in which the connecting element is inserted into a flushing lumen provided in the guide element;

fig. 44 shows an embodiment in which the guiding element can be moved manually using the lever 21.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1, the container 1 comprises a body 2, the body 2 being configured to contain a dry and/or liquid concentrate. Furthermore, the container 1 comprises two attachment elements 3 in the form of hooks, which two attachment elements 3 are arranged on opposite sides of an attachment portion 4 of the container 1.

Furthermore, the container 1 comprises a connecting element 5, the connecting element 5 being open towards a top end face 6 of the connecting portion 4 of the container 1 opposite/facing away from the body 2. In this embodiment, the container further comprises a handle 22 allowing a user to grip the container 1. The top end face 6 is sealed by a flexible membrane 7, the flexible membrane 7 covering the connecting element 5 and a central opening 8 of the connecting portion 4.

Fig. 2 shows another container 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the flexible membrane seals the connecting element 5 but does not completely cover the central opening 8. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the attachment element 3 takes the form of a hollow cylinder configured to receive a corresponding stud/pin of the blood treatment device.

Figure 3 shows a user peeling the flexible membrane 7 from the top end face 6 of the container 1. As in all of the drawings, components denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or similar components.

In the state shown in fig. 4, the user removes the flexible membrane 7 almost completely from the top end face 6 of the container 1.

Fig. 5 shows a connecting portion 4 of a concentrate container known from the prior art. Such conventional connection portions of containers known from the prior art usually comprise connection elements 5, from which the connection elements 5 are open downwards so that liquid can drip out into connection elements provided on the blood treatment device configured to be inserted into the connection elements 5. The attachment portion also includes a handle 22 that allows a user to grasp the attachment portion.

Fig. 6 shows a connecting portion 4 of a container according to the invention. The connection portion comprises an attachment element 3, the attachment element 3 being formed as a hollow cylinder and being configured to receive a corresponding connection element provided on the blood treatment device, in particular in the form of a stud, a pin or a cylinder.

The connecting portion 4 further comprises a connecting element 5, the connecting element 5 being open upwards towards a top end face 6 of the connecting portion.

According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 4 further comprises a grip portion 9 at the opposite side of the connecting portion 4, the grip portion 9 replacing the handle 22 provided in the conventional connecting portion shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows the connecting part 4 according to the prior art in a side view, which shows the connecting element 5 and the handle 22. In contrast to this, the connecting portion 4 of the container according to the present invention shown in fig. 8 includes the attaching member 3, and the attaching member 3 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting portion 4 and formed as a hollow cylindrical member. The opening of the connecting portion is not visible in this view.

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the connecting part 4 of fig. 7, wherein the handle 22 is clearly visible. In the sectional view of the connecting portion 4 according to the invention in fig. 10, the grip portion 9 and the attachment element 3 and the connecting element 5 are clearly visible, the attachment element 3 and the connecting element 5 being open towards the top end face 6 of the connecting portion 4.

As can be seen from fig. 11, the connecting element 5 of the connecting part 4 according to the prior art also serves as an attachment element, since the connecting element 5 in the form of a hollow cylinder is provided on the respective mouthpiece of the blood treatment device.

This is further illustrated in the view of fig. 12, from which it can be seen that the attachment element of the blood treatment device, i.e. the connection element of the blood treatment device according to the prior art, is inserted into the connection element 5 of the connection portion 4 in a substantially vertical position/direction in fig. 12, allowing liquid from the connection element 5 to drip out of the connection element 5 of the connection portion 4 of the container 1.

As shown in fig. 13, according to the present invention, the attaching member 3 and the connecting member 5 are separated from each other. It can also be easily seen from fig. 13 that the attachment element 3 and the connecting element 5 are arranged relative to each other in that the attachment element 3 and the connecting element 5 project in directions arranged substantially at right angles to each other, preferably in directions arranged horizontally and vertically, respectively.

In the example of fig. 13, the attachment element protrudes in a direction from the top of fig. 13 to the bottom of fig. 13, while the connection element 5 is an opening protruding or extending in a direction into and out of the plane of the paper.

Fig. 14 provides another clear view of the grip portion 9 which may replace the handle 22 provided in the connecting portion 4 known in the art.

Fig. 15 also illustrates how the extension direction of the attachment element 3 is arranged substantially at right angles to the extension direction of the connecting element/opening 5.

As can be seen in fig. 16, the connecting element 5 is preferably sealed by a flexible strip 7, the flexible strip 7 being preferably welded to the top end face 6 of the connecting portion 4 to close the connecting element 5.

Preferably, the flexible membrane 7 comprises a gripping section 10, the gripping section 10 allowing a user to grip the flexible membrane 7 to remove the flexible membrane 7 from the top end face 6 of the connecting portion 4 of the container 1.

As can be seen in fig. 17, the blood treatment device 11 according to the present invention comprises a main body 12, the main body 12 having a bottom surface 13 and an attachment assembly 14, the attachment assembly 14 being configured for attachment and connection to the container 1.

The attachment assembly 14 comprises a guide element 15 to which two attachment elements 16 are mounted, in this embodiment the attachment elements 16 are in the form of protruding barrels/studs/pins and each have a circumferential groove into which a hook of the container 1 or a hook attachment element 3 can be inserted.

The attachment assembly 14 further includes a protruding portion 17. In the configuration shown in fig. 17, the front surface 18 of the protruding portion 17 and the front surface 19 of the guide element 15 are aligned with each other to form a continuous front surface of the attachment assembly 14. This corresponds to the flushing position.

As can be seen in fig. 18, the bag 1 can be attached to a stud-shaped attachment element 16 mounted on the guide element 15 by means of a hook-shaped attachment element 3.

Fig. 19 shows a blood treatment device 11 in which the container 1 is attached to the attachment element 16 of the guide element 15. The container 1 is in its position of fluid coupling with a blood treatment device.

Fig. 20 shows the attachment assembly 14 of the blood treatment device 11, wherein the guiding element 15 is arranged in a closed position relative to the protruding part 17 for flushing the blood treatment device.

In this position, the front surface 18 of the projection 17 and the front surface 19 of the guide element 15 form a continuous front surface. The flushing position of the guide element 15 relative to the projection 17 is further illustrated in the side view of the blood treatment device 11 shown in fig. 21. It becomes particularly clear in this figure that in the closed position/flushing position of the guide element relative to the projection 17, the front end face 18 of the projection 17 and the front end face 19 of the guide element 19 form a continuous front end face.

Fig. 22 shows the blood treatment device of fig. 21, wherein the container 1 is attached to the attachment element 16 of the blood treatment device via its attachment element 3. This position is used when the blood treatment device is flushed/sterilized by internal circulation but is ready for the next blood treatment by providing the container 1. The container 1 will be fluidly connected to the blood treatment device 11 before the next blood treatment is started.

Fig. 23 illustrates the structural configuration of the attachment assembly 14 of the blood processing apparatus in more detail by providing a cross-section of the attachment assembly 14 in the closed/flush position shown in fig. 21 and 22. As can be seen in fig. 23, the front end face 18 of the protruding portion 17 and the front end face 19 of the guide element 15 provide a continuous front surface.

In this relative positioning, the connecting element 20, which in the embodiment of fig. 23 has a blood treatment device in the form of a mouthpiece for dispensing water into the container 1, is inserted into the cavity 18 provided in the guide element 15. Thus, the internal fluid system of the blood treatment device is closed from the outside, and the flushing fluid can be circulated within the blood treatment device without fluid leaking from the mouthpiece 17 to the outside of the blood treatment device 11.

Fig. 24 shows a close-up view of the connection assembly 14 of the blood treatment device 11, wherein the container 1 has been attached via the attachment elements 3 and 16. The connection assembly 14 is in the closed/flush position.

In order to fluidically couple container 1 to connection assembly 14 and therefore to blood treatment device 11, guide element 15 is then moved inwards towards the lateral surface of blood treatment device 11, as shown in fig. 25. Thus, the container 1 attached to the attachment element 16 of the blood treatment device 11 is moved towards the side surface of the blood treatment device 11 until the container 1 is arranged below the protruding portion 17 and the connection element 5 of the bag 1 is horizontally aligned with the connection element 20 of the blood treatment device.

As shown in fig. 26, the guide element 15 and thus the container 1 attached to the attachment element 16 mounted on the guide element 15 are moved upwards to connect the connecting element 5 of the container 1 with the connecting element 20 of the blood treatment device. Alternatively, the container 1 may be kept stationary by the guiding element 15 and the connecting element 20 of the blood treatment device is moved downwards to be inserted into the connecting element 5 of the container 1, thereby fluidly coupling the container 1 to the blood treatment device 11.

Fig. 27 shows a side view of the blood treatment device, wherein the container 1 is fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device 11 in the position/relative positioning shown in fig. 26.

Fig. 28 shows a side view of the blood processing apparatus 11 with the attachment assembly 24 in the position shown in fig. 24.

Fig. 29 shows another view of the connection assembly 14 of the blood processing set in a closed flush position.

Fig. 30 shows the attachment assembly 14 of fig. 29, wherein the container 1 has been attached via its attachment element 3 (hook-shaped) and the attachment element 16 (screw-shaped) of the blood treatment device. In this depiction, the attachment assembly 14 is still in the closed flush position.

Fig. 31 shows an attachment assembly 14, wherein the container 1 has been moved inwardly below the protruding portion 17 and fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device by inserting the connecting element of the blood treatment device into the connecting element of the container 1 either by moving the container 1 upwards towards the protruding portion 17 or by moving the connecting element 20 of the blood treatment device downwards into the connecting element 5 of the container 1.

Next, a method of connecting a container for a concentrate to a blood processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in fig. 32, the attachment element 16 of the blood treatment device is inserted into the attachment element 3 of the container 1. As can be seen in fig. 32, the attachment element 16 of the blood treatment device and the attachment element 3 of the container are configured asymmetrically to allow the container to be mounted to the blood treatment device in only one correct mounting position.

Fig. 33 shows the container 1 connected to the attachment element 16 of the blood treatment device via the attachment element 3 of the container. Then, the guide member 15 is moved inward in the horizontal direction toward the side surface of the blood processing apparatus 11 to pull the container 1 below the projection 17, as shown in fig. 34.

It can also be seen from fig. 34 that the connection element 20 and the connection element 5 of the blood treatment device are aligned in this position in the vertical direction, so that the connection element 20 can be inserted into the connection element 5 of the container 1 by a movement along the vertical axis.

As shown in fig. 35, the connection element 20 of the blood treatment device may be inserted/inserted into the connection element 5 of the container 1 by moving the guiding element 15 and thus the container 1 upwards towards the protruding part 17. Alternatively, the connection element 20 of the blood treatment device may be moved downwards to be inserted into the connection element 5 of the container 1.

When the container 1 is fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device via the connecting element 20 and the connecting element 5, as shown in fig. 36, the treatment may be carried out by a blood treatment machine which produces a liquid concentrate from a powdered concentrate contained within the body 2 of the container 1.

After the process is completed, the guide element 15 and thus the container 1 attached thereto are moved downwards, as shown in fig. 37. The container 1 continues to move downwards until the connecting element 20 of the blood treatment device is removed from the connecting element 5 of the container 1, as shown in fig. 38.

The guide element 15 and therefore the container 1 attached thereto then move outwards in a horizontal direction similar to a drawer of the side surface of the blood treatment device 11.

As shown in fig. 39, the movement of the container 1 may be suspended in a position in which the container 1 is vertically aligned with the connection element 20 of the blood treatment device, such that any drops dripping from the connection element 20 of the blood treatment device are caught by the container 1, preferably by the connection element 5 of the container 1.

As shown in fig. 40, the container 1 is then moved by means of moving the guiding element 15 relative to the protruding portion 17 until the container 1 is positioned further away from the side surface of the blood treatment device 11 than the front edge of the protruding portion 17. This allows the user to easily grasp the container 1.

As shown in fig. 41, the container 1 can be easily disconnected from the attachment element 16 of the blood treatment device by pulling the container 1 away from the blood treatment device 11.

After removing the container 1, the blood treatment machine may then move the guiding element 15 upwards and/or inwards towards the side surface of the blood treatment device 11 until the connecting element 20 of the blood treatment device is aligned in a vertical direction with the cavity 18 of the guiding element 15, as shown in fig. 42.

In this position, the blood treatment device can be brought into a closed/flushed position. As shown in fig. 43, the guide element 15 is moved further upwards or the connection element 20 of the blood treatment device 11 is moved further downwards to insert the connection element 20 into the cavity 18 of the guide element 15 into the closed flushing position.

The blood treatment machine can now be flushed and a new concentrate bag can be attached to the guide element 15 by using the attachment element 16 during flushing to start a new treatment.

All movements of the guide element 15 relative to the projection 17 can also be performed manually. For this purpose, the attachment assembly 14 of the blood treatment device may comprise a rod 21 as shown in fig. 44 or a similar structure allowing the user to manually move the guiding element relative to the protruding portion 17.

Claims (15)

1. A container for a concentrate, comprising:

a body for containing a concentrate,

a connection portion having a flat end face and configured to connect the container to a blood processing apparatus,

two attachment elements disposed at two opposite sides of the connection portion and configured to reversibly attach the container to two corresponding attachment elements disposed on a blood processing device, an

Two connecting elements each comprising an opening at the planar end face of the connecting portion and configured to interact with two corresponding connecting elements provided on a blood treatment device to fluidly couple the container with the blood treatment device by inserting the connecting elements provided on the blood treatment device into the connecting elements of the container,

wherein the two attachment elements protrude in a first direction and the two connection elements protrude in a second direction oriented substantially at right angles to the first direction.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the second direction in which the two connecting elements project is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body of the container, and the two connecting elements each have the form of a hollow cylinder open at the flat end face of the connecting portion.

3. The container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment elements are each formed as a hook or a hollow cylinder.

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two connecting elements are sealed by a lid in the form of a flexible film which is removably attached to the flat end face of the connecting portion, and wherein the flexible film can be peeled off from the flat end face of the connecting portion.

5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises the following two attachment elements: the two attachment elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be attached to a blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position, and/or wherein the container comprises the following two connection elements: the two connecting elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be fluidly coupled to a blood processing device in only one defined mounting position.

6. A blood processing apparatus comprising:

a main body which is provided with a plurality of grooves,

two attachment elements to which corresponding attachment elements of a container for concentrate can be attached, wherein the two attachment elements are movable relative to the main body in a direction protruding substantially at right angles to a side surface of the main body, and

two connecting elements configured to fluidly couple the blood processing device to a container for a concentrate.

7. The blood processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the two attachment elements each have the form of a stud projecting outwardly from a side surface of the body, and the two connection elements each have the form of a spout projecting in a direction substantially parallel to the side surface of the body.

8. A blood treatment device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the two attachment elements are mounted on a movable and/or motorized guiding element, which guiding element is preferably movable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction and which guiding element comprises a cavity, which guiding element is movable between a first position in which the two connection elements for fluidly connecting the blood treatment device to a container are received in the cavity allowing the blood treatment device to be rinsed, and a second position in which the two connection elements are fluidly connectable or fluidly connectable to a container to which the two attachment elements of the blood treatment device are attached.

9. The blood processing device according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the two connecting elements are movable in a direction substantially parallel to a side surface of the body of the blood processing device and in a direction towards a bottom surface of the body of the blood processing device.

10. The blood treatment device according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the two attachment elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be attached to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position and/or the two connection elements are formed in different sizes and/or geometries to allow the container to be fluidly coupled to the blood treatment device in only one defined mounting position.

11. System comprising at least one container according to one of claims 1 to 5 and at least one blood treatment device according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein preferably the container is reversibly attached to the blood treatment device by means of the two attachment elements provided on the container interacting with the two attachment elements provided on the blood treatment device and/or the two connection elements of the blood treatment device are fluidly coupled to the two connection elements of the container.

12. Method for connecting a container for a concentrate, preferably a container according to one of claims 1 to 5, to a blood treatment device, preferably a blood treatment device according to one of claims 6 to 10, comprising the steps of:

-reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device by means of the two attachment elements provided on the container and the two attachment elements provided on the blood treatment device;

-moving the container towards the body of the blood treatment device in a direction projecting substantially at right angles to a side surface of the body of the blood treatment device;

-moving the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device and/or the container in a direction protruding substantially parallel to a side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, thereby inserting the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device into the two connecting elements of the container, thereby fluidly coupling the container to the blood treatment device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

-moving the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device and/or the container in a direction protruding substantially parallel to a side surface of the body of the blood treatment device, thereby removing the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device inserted into the two connecting elements of the container from the two connecting elements of the container; and

-halting the movement of the container in: in the position, the two connecting elements of the container and the two connecting elements of the blood processing device are at least partially aligned in a direction protruding substantially parallel to the side surface of the main body of the blood processing device, such that any liquid dripping from the two connecting elements of the blood processing device is received by the two connecting elements of the container.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the blood treatment device comprises a movable and/or motorized guiding element comprising the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device and further comprising a cavity configured to receive the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device, the method further comprising the steps of:

-moving the guiding element into a flushing position in which the two connecting elements of the blood treatment device are received in the cavity, thereby fluidly sealing the blood treatment device from the outside and allowing flushing of the blood treatment device.

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein all method steps except the step of reversibly attaching the container to the blood treatment device by means of the two attachment elements provided on the container and the two attachment elements provided on the blood treatment device are performed automatically by the blood treatment device.

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