DE4220647C2 - Connector arrangement for connecting a hemodialysis machine to dialysis fluid sources - Google Patents

Description

The invention is based on a connector arrangement, as is known from the EP 278 100 A1 or EP 443 324 is known.

Usually used in today Hemodialysis machines for the manufacture of the Dialysis fluid used concentrates manufactured in the factory and with canisters for Promotes consumers. Both the manufacture as also the transportation of such with liquid Concentrate filled canister is expensive because practically only water from the manufacturer to Patient is transported and beyond that empty canisters pose an environmental problem. Storage and is particularly problematic Carriage of canisters with a Bicarbonate concentrate are filled as the canister inflated by the outgassing of carbon dioxide and are therefore under pressure. To that extent exists with such inflated containers Bursting problem with improper handling of the Canisters.

Therefore bedside systems have been proposed with which either finished dialysis fluids provided or powdered Concentrates, especially bicarbonate concentrates, be mixed with water.

The first system includes the very long-known ones central dialysis fluid supply systems, which in particular in ring lines in the clinic for several dialysis machines for dialysis fluid Make available.

On the other hand, also powdery concentrates presented in containers that have a piping system with the dialysis machine on the one hand and via a Water pipe with a water source on the other hand  are connected. With such a system, fresh bicarbonate is Concentrate provided that immediately without significant outgassing of CO₂ the dialysis machine can be made available.

Such one The system is described, for example, in EP 278 100 (A1) and EP 443 324 (A1).

Since such containers have to be replaced frequently, it is easy to put on and take off Uncoupling of such containers using a connector system advantageous. On however, such a system is not described in the two EP documents mentioned.

Furthermore, it is useful that a dialysis machine to a variety of Concentrate or dialysis fluid supply arrangements connected can be, for example, with a simple connector device Dialysis machine from a central supply unit to a bicarbonate powder containing bag can be connected.

The invention is based on the object of a connector arrangement to make available from socket and plug with which a dialysis machine connected to multiple dialysis fluid sources and handling different sources of dialysis fluid can be simplified.

The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of Claim 1.  

The coupling bush according to the invention of the connector arrangement is distinguished through a number of significant advantages. By the in the valve chamber of the Bushing slidably mounted valve element, it is possible to provide different operating states of the coupling bush, so that these with a plug for connection to a central concentrate supply or a concentrate container or a bicarbonate plug can be connected. In the third operating position, the valve element is arranged so that a The socket can be rinsed in the downstream dialysis machine. The Socket thus enables a dialysis machine to be used universally To design, using only a single input socket different supply systems can be connected. It this reduces the expenditure on equipment. Furthermore it is extremely cheap that only one socket is available, which cleaned or must be maintained.

The seal arrangement provided according to the invention makes it particularly special easily possible by moving the valve element in each position specified by the line connector according to the invention to bring provided sealant into engagement, so that by insertion the connector automatically switches over the coupling socket. If no plug is inserted  the valve element through the elastic element in brought a position in which the flushing the coupling bush is possible.

The sealing means preferably comprise two objected to each other, each in an annular groove inserted O-rings, each with a cylindrical region of the valve element in Intervention can be brought. So there are two Positions in which the valve element seals in Feed channel of the coupling bush is arranged. In the third position is the valve element of the loosened both O-rings.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the Valve chamber opposite the elastic element by means of an elastic wall in two subchambers is divided, the one part of the absorbs elastic element and in the other Sub-chamber the liquids are supplied. There is thus a contamination of the elastic Element or the liquid chamber avoided, so that cleaning the coupling bush is essential is simplified.

Regarding the connector arrangement are under Use of the coupling bush according to the invention two or more plugs possible, such a plug for connection to a central concentrate supply or a container containing concentrate and a double-lumen plug, which is preferably for the Production of a bicarbonate concentrate, but also for mixing predetermined electrolyte salts or Amino acids and their solutions during production other concentrates for dialysis or infusion can be used. It can be water or aqueous solutions used as solvents below, referring only to water is taken.  

The plug for connection to the central Concentrate supply is more simple than tubular Plug formed because only one flow channel is needed. With the double-lumen The bicarbonate connector becomes that of the coupling socket water supplied first in a Bicarbonate powder or other soluble materials filled bag and the dissolved bicarbonate then passed through the coupling bush and fed to the dialysis machine. The one for this The hose line used can be concentric be trained, d. H. one inner and one outer tube or a two-channel Include hose; it is also possible to use parallel To use hoses.

In the following the invention based on Embodiments in connection with the Drawing described. Show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the coupling bush, wherein a flushing position the valve member is shown,

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the connector socket shown in FIG. 1, wherein, a double-plug is connected for the connection of a bag filled with bicarbonate powder,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a plug is connected for connection to a central concentrate supply,

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a further embodiment of the coupling bush, which has been dispensed on the presentation of the inlet channel and the outlet channel,

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a bicarbonate connector, similar to the connector shown in Fig. 2 and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bag filled with bicarbonate powder, the associated tube system and the plug, which is similar to the plug shown in FIG. 5.

The embodiment of a coupling bush 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 is described below.

The coupling bushing 10 has a bushing body 12 which is provided with an essentially cylindrical, substantially cylindrical recess 14 which extends over a partial length of the bushing body 12 and has different diameters in some areas.

After its free insertion end 16 , the recess 14 has a groove 18 which forms part of the latching means in order to fix a cable connector 20 , as explained below. Furthermore, a sealing ring 22 is advantageously provided on the inside in the recess 14 in order to seal the line plug from the environment in the connected state.

In the central part 24 of the recess 14 , a valve chamber 26 is provided with a larger diameter, in which an elastic wall 28 is clamped transversely to the main axis of the socket body 12 . For this purpose, the socket body 12 is divided into 2 socket parts 30 and 32 , so that the wall 28 can be clamped into the parting line 34 by means of the screws 36 , as can be seen from FIG. 4. The wall 28 divides the valve chamber 26 into a left chamber half 38 and a right chamber half 40 , the volume of which is variable due to the displacement of the wall 28 .

From the left-hand chamber half 38 there is an outlet channel 42 which can be connected to the dialysis fluid system of a dialysis machine, not shown. On the other hand, this valve chamber 38 is in flow connection via the cylindrical recess 14 with an inlet channel 44 , which opens into the recess 14 in the adjacent region 45 to the valve chamber 38 .

As can be seen from FIGS . 1-3, an annular sealing arrangement 46 , 48 in the form of an O-ring is provided in the recess 14 on both sides of the inlet channel 44 .

Furthermore, a valve element 50 is arranged in the recess 14 , which has a cylindrical end region 52 at the rear, the element 50 and the end region 52 being separated from one another by the flexible wall 28 .

The valve element 50 itself has a substantially cylindrical front area 54 and then a tapered cone area 56 behind it. The conical region 56 is followed by the shaft 58 forming the cylindrical end region 52 , against the end of which rests an elastic element 60 in the form of a spring, which is arranged in the end region 62 of the recess 14 . A magnet 64 is fastened to the end of the shaft 58 and cooperates with a reed switch 66 arranged on the part 32 , the magnet 64 and the reed switch 66 forming a sensor 68 with which the coupling process can be monitored.

In Fig. 1, an operating state is shown in which there is no cable plug 20 is in the recess 14. The spring 60 biases the valve element 50 further to the left, as is possible through a stop 70 surrounding the stem 58 , which is supported on the right-hand chamber half 32 . As a result, the cylindrical front region 54 of the valve element 50 comes into sealing engagement with the left-hand annular sealing arrangement 46 , thus closing off the inlet channel 44 from the surroundings.

On the other hand, in the area of the channel 44 , the conical arrangement of the cone area 56 creates an annular space in the area of the inlet channel 44 , so that a flow connection to the outlet channel 42 is created through this annular space and the left valve chamber 38 . It is thus possible to flush the coupling bush 10 and thus the dialysis machine with water or disinfectant solution.

In FIG. 2, an operating state is shown in which is inserted in Fig. 5 or 6 cable plug 72 shown in the recess 14, said latching means 74 which are arranged on the plug 72, communicating with the recess 18 in engagement. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the line plug 72 is double-lumen and comprises an inner tube 76 and an outer tube 78 which open into a rear grip part 79 and between which an annular channel 80 is formed. This annular channel 80 has a front recess 82 which breaks through the outer surface of the outer tube 78 and advantageously surrounds the end of the line plug 72 facing the coupling socket 12 in a ring. The channel 80 opens into a first feed opening 84 in the grip part 79 .

The inner tube 76 passes through a central channel 86 , which emerges from the front end 88 , which faces the socket body 12 , in the opening 90 and opens into the opening 92 in the handle part 79 . As shown in FIG. 6, a double-lumen hose line 94 can be connected to the two openings 84 and 92 , which on the other hand can also be designed in the form of two separate hoses.

The hose line 94 has an outer channel 96 and an inner channel 98 , since - as can be seen in FIG. 6 - the hose line 94 has a coaxial channel arrangement. On the other hand, however, these two channels can also be formed side by side.

The outer channel 96 is connected to the opening 84 , while the inner channel 98 is connected to the opening 92 of the plug 72 .

The hose arrangement 94 opens into a bag 100 and advantageously has a filter 102 at its end. The bag itself is filled with a water soluble powder or aqueous solution 104 . Hereinafter, the powder is consistently referred to as bicarbonate powder, but is not limited to bicarbonate. So other electrolytes can also be used.

In the connected state, as shown in FIG. 2, water from the line 44 can flow through the opening 82 , the channel 80 , the opening 84 , the channel 96 , as shown by the arrow 106 , and the filter 102 in flow the bag 100 and dissolves the bicarbonate there. Due to the closed bag 100 , the bicarbonate solution flows through the filter 102 and the channel 98 - as shown by the arrow 107 - back into the plug 72 and there it passes through the opening 92 into the channel 86 and the opening 90 into the left half of the chamber 86 , from which it flows into the outlet channel 42 . In this respect, there is a cycle through the connector arrangement according to the invention, whereby water and bicarbonate are mixed and thus a bicarbonate concentrate is produced.

The front end 88 , which surrounds the opening 90 in a ring, - as can be seen particularly from FIGS. 1 and 12 - engages with a plurality of lugs 108 which are separated from one another and are arranged in a circle on the valve element 50 . Between the lugs 108 , liquid can flow past the valve element 50 into the left-hand chamber half 38 when the plug is coupled.

Fig. 2 further shows that the plug 72 is in flow connection with the inlet channel 74 via the opening 82 in the connected state, the two annular sealing arrangements 46 and 48 sealing against the outer tube 78 on both sides of the opening 82 . On the other hand, the front opening 90 of the plug 72 lies beyond the inner annular sealing arrangement 48 on the side of the left-hand chamber half 38 and therefore cannot be brought into direct flow connection with the opening 82 (only via the bag 100 ).

Fig. 2 further shows schematically that the magnet 64 actuates the reed switch 66 and thus the sensor 68 in the coupling state, so that the ready-assembled position of the plug 72 can be determined.

Fig. 3 shows an operating state, is inserted in which a second cable plug 110 in the clutch sleeve 10. This line connector 110 consists only of a tube 112 and also has a locking element 114 which interacts with the locking groove 18 . The plug 110 is dimensioned such that it also extends over the innermost annular sealing arrangement 48 in the locked state and also interacts with the projections 108 of the valve element 50 and thereby displaces the valve element 50 backwards against the spring 60 . In this respect, the front opening 116 of the opener is also in flow connection with the outlet channel 42 . The other end 118 can be connected to a concentrate unit using a hose or tube, not shown. In this case, the water source is blocked (by shutting off the inlet channel 44 ).

Fig. 3 further shows that a central extension 120 is provided on the valve element 50 standing axially forward, which reaches the opening 116 in the coupled state without completely closing it, and there opens a check valve 122 provided in the tube 114 .

Also in Fig. 3, the sensor device 68 is similar to the operating state shown in FIG. 2 is operated, so that the ready-mounting of the lead plug 110 is reported after complete coupling and locking.

Claims (15)

1. Connector arrangement for connecting a dialysis fluid supply line or a concentrate or dialysis fluid supply arrangement to a hemodialysis machine, consisting of a line plug and a coupling socket, characterized in that in the socket body ( 12 ) an essentially cylindrical recess ( 14 ) open to the environment is formed, in which the cable connector ( 20 , 72 , 110 ) can be inserted, and in which in a valve chamber ( 26 ) a valve element ( 50 ) is slidably arranged, which is biased by an elastic element ( 60 ) in a closed position that the valve chamber ( 26 ) is connected to an outlet channel ( 42 ), and that an inlet channel ( 44 ) opens into a region ( 45 ) of the recess ( 14 ) adjoining the valve chamber ( 26 ), in which the valve element ( 50 ) by means of the Line connector is displaceable so that the flow guidance can be changed. 2. Connector arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in the valve chamber ( 26 ) of the coupling bush and / or in the adjacent region ( 45 ) of the recess ( 14 ), sealing means are provided. 3. Connector arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing means comprise two in the recess ( 14 ) arranged, spaced O-rings ( 46 , 48 ) between which the inlet channel ( 44 ) opens, and which each optionally with the valve element ( 50 ) can be brought into engagement. 4. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the valve element ( 50 ) of the coupling bush on its side of the valve chamber ( 26 ) facing ( 56 ) is provided with a smaller diameter. 5. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve element ( 50 ) of the coupling bush on the recess ( 14 ) facing side with valve actuating means ( 120 ) is provided. 6. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the valve chamber ( 26 ) of the coupling bush relative to the elastic element ( 60 ) is divided by means of an elastic wall ( 28 ). 7. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the recess ( 14 ) of the coupling socket at least one seal ( 22 ) for sealing the line connector ( 20 , 72 , 110 ) is arranged. 8. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by sensor means ( 68 ) for determining the position of the valve element ( 50 ) of the coupling bush. 9. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by latching means ( 18 ) for locking the line plug ( 20 , 72 , 110 ) in the recess ( 14 ) of the coupling socket. 10. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the valve element ( 50 ) of the coupling bush can be brought into a first position in which the valve chamber ( 26 ) is sealed off from the recess ( 14 ), but with the inlet channel ( 44 ) and the outlet channel ( 42 ) is connected to a second position in which the inlet channel ( 44 ) is connected to the recess ( 14 ) and the valve chamber ( 26 ) is connected to the outlet channel ( 42 ) and a channel of the line connector ( 20 , 72 , 110 ) opens into the valve chamber ( 26 ), as well as into a third position, in which the inlet channel ( 44 ) is closed and a channel of the line plug ( 20 , 72 , 110 ) into that connected to the outlet channel ( 42 ) Valve chamber ( 26 ) opens. 11. A connecting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the cable plug (72) comprises a first channel (76) which lies in the longitudinal axis of the plug (72) and at its front end in a first opening (90) and its rear end opens into a second opening ( 92 ), a second channel ( 80 ), which laterally and radially to the first opening ( 90 ) in a through the outer tube ( 78 ) of the line connector ( 72 ) and at its third opening ( 82 ) rear end in a fourth opening ( 84 ), wherein in the coupling state the third opening ( 82 ) with the inlet channel ( 84 ) of the coupling sleeve ( 10 ) and the first opening ( 90 ) with the outlet channel ( 42 ) of the socket ( 10 ) in Flow connection can be brought. 12. Connector arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the line plug ( 20 , 72 ) is substantially in the form of a double-walled tube. 13. Connector arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the line plug is designed essentially as a simple tube ( 112 ), the end region of which is provided with a check valve ( 122 ), so that when the dialysis fluid supply line is connected to the hemodialysis machine the cable plug is (110) with disposed on the hemodialysis machine coupling bush (10) in engagement, and further that the non-return valve (122) by abutment against the valve member (50) of the bushing (10) and touching a Ventilbetätigungsmitteis (120) of the sleeve to is open, and that the outer circumference of the line plug ( 110 ) for closing the inlet channel ( 44 ) in the socket ( 10 ) can be brought into engagement with sealing means ( 46 , 48 ). 14. Coupling socket ( 10 ) for a connector arrangement according to claim 1, for establishing a flow path between a dialysis fluid source and the dialysis fluid line of a hemodialysis machine, characterized in that in the socket body ( 12 ) a substantially cylindrical, open to the environment recess ( 14 ) is formed , and in which a valve element ( 50 ) is slidably arranged in a valve chamber ( 26 ) and is biased into a closed position by means of an elastic element ( 60 ). 15. Line connector ( 20 , 72 , 110 ) for a connector arrangement according to claim 1, for establishing a flow path between a dialysis fluid source and the dialysis fluid line of a hemodialysis machine, characterized by a first channel ( 76 ) which lies in the longitudinal axis of the connector ( 72 ), and which is connectable at its front end with a first opening ( 90 ) to an inlet channel and at its rear end with a second opening ( 92 ) to a first lumen of a hose line, and which has a second channel ( 80 ) which is laterally and radially to the first opening ( 90 ) in a third opening ( 82 ) passing through the outer tube ( 78 ) of the line connector ( 20 , 72 ) to an outlet channel and at its rear end with a fourth opening ( 84 ) to a second lumen of a hose line .