EP4255617A1

EP4255617A1 - Apparatus for producing a dialysis concentrate

Info

Publication number: EP4255617A1
Application number: EP21831021.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick BEßLER; Stefan EBERLEIN; Andreas HEMM
Original assignee: Vivonic GmbH
Current assignee: Vivonic GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-08
Filing date: 2021-12-08
Publication date: 2023-10-11
Also published as: DE102020132659A1; US20240033693A1; CN116710198A; WO2022122813A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a dialysis concentrate or another liquid, wherein the apparatus has an inlet for a solvent for dissolving or mixing with a raw material located in a container, which raw material is soluble in the solvent or miscible therewith, and a container containing a raw material to be dissolved by means of the solvent or which is miscible with the solvent, wherein the apparatus has connecting means for connecting to the container, characterized in that the apparatus has a mixing unit which is self-regulating and comprises a mixing line and a suction unit arranged in the mixing line and a mixing chamber, wherein the suction unit can be fluidically connected to the inlet for the solvent and, by means of a suction line, to the container which can be connected to the apparatus, and wherein a return line downstream of the mixing chamber leads back to the container which can be connected to the apparatus.

Description

Device for producing a dialysis concentrate

The present invention relates to a device for producing a dialysis concentrate or another liquid, the device containing an inlet for a solvent for dissolving or mixing with a raw material located in a container, the device having connecting means for connecting to the container and wherein the raw material is soluble in the solvent or miscible with it.

The present invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a device according to the invention with a container connected thereto that contains the raw material, and a method for producing a dialysis concentrate or another liquid, and a blood treatment device with an arrangement according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to the use of the device or arrangement according to the invention for producing a dialysis concentrate or for producing another liquid, in particular a cleaning, sterilizing or disinfecting liquid which is used in particular for blood treatment machines, preferably for dialysis machines. It is known from the prior art to supply dialysis machines with dialysis solutions or with dialysis concentrate in various ways.

The dialysis machines are often supplied with dialysis concentrate from a ring line system by means of a central supply unit. This is associated with the disadvantage of comparatively high investment costs for the ring line system and for the central supply unit. Another disadvantage is the limited flexibility with regard to the composition of the dialysis concentrate, since different dialysis concentrates can only be made available via the ring line to a very limited extent. If additional dialysis concentrates are required, this can only be done through other types of care.

Another known procedure consists in supplying dialysis machines with dialysis concentrate via canisters. The canisters contain the finished dialysis concentrate. This procedure is very flexible compared to the supply via the ring line, but has the disadvantage of a high expenditure of work and time, since each dialysis machine has to be individually equipped with a canister for each new treatment. In addition, there is a disadvantage that large storage areas are required for stocking the canisters and the canisters have to be transported to and from the warehouse to the dialysis machines, which is time-consuming and pollutes the environment, since a large amount of water (as a solvent in the canisters) is transported, which would also be available in the dialysis centers. Finally, it is disadvantageous that the canisters have to be disposed of after they have been used once, which is associated with a corresponding accumulation of plastic waste.

Another known procedure is that ready-to-use dialysis solutions are used for treatment, for example by means of peritoneal dialysis, which are produced centrally and, like the aforementioned canisters, are transported in bags as a ready-to-use solution and are thus available locally for the treatment. A concentrate bag containing a raw material is known from the prior art according to WO 99/06083 A1. The dialysis concentrate is produced by adding water to the concentrate bag itself and by dissolving the raw material in the bag.

A device for producing a dialysis concentrate according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2017 127 637 A1. DE 10 2017 127 637 A1 discloses a fluid system with a main circuit and a branch section connected thereto for the production of dialysis concentrate. In the main circuit there is a mixing chamber and a container for receiving the concentrate and a pump that pumps the fluid in the circuit in the main circuit. In the branch section there is a container containing a raw material that is fed to the main circuit.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for the production of dialysis concentrate or other solutions, in which the investment costs and the expenditure of time are low and at the same time there is a high degree of flexibility with regard to the solution to be produced.

This object is achieved by a device having the features 1, by an arrangement having the features of claim 9, by a blood treatment device having the features of claim 10, by a method having the features of claim 12 and by using a device according to claim 17 .

According to the invention it is provided that the device has a mixing unit which is self-regulating and comprises a mixing line and a suction unit arranged in the mixing line and a mixing chamber, wherein the suction unit can be brought into fluid connection with the inlet for the solvent and with the container by means of a suction line and wherein downstream of the mixing chamber leads a return line back to the container connectable to the device.

When the container is connected to the device, the raw material is sucked out of the container by the suction unit and mixed with the water or other solvent flowing in through the inlet. This mixture then enters the mixing chamber, where the raw material is mixed with the solvent. The solution prepared in this way enters the container via the return line.

Deviating from DE 10 2017 127 637 A1, the solution produced in this way is not fed to a storage container, but to the container in which the raw material was previously located.

In the context of the present invention, the term “mixture” is also to be understood as meaning a dissolving process which occurs when the raw material is solid or solid-liquid. Likewise, the term "solution" can also refer to a pure mixing process that occurs when the raw material is liquid.

The mixing process in the mixing chamber is self-regulating due to the combination of the design of the suction unit and the mixing chamber: A retaining element is arranged in the mixing or fine mixing chamber, which can be designed as a filter element, for example. If undissolved raw material collects on this filter element, the pressure loss in the system increases and the flow through the filter element is reduced or prevented altogether. This minimizes the flow rate over the suction unit and thus further suction of further raw material from the container. Even with a low flow, the undissolved raw material is overflowed with fresh solvent, thus optimizing the dissolution. If the raw material is sufficiently dissolved in the fine mixing chamber, the pressure loss decreases and the flow rate of the solvent through the suction unit increases, which promotes further suction of raw material through the suction unit into the fine mixing chamber. that. For the implementation of such self-regulation, we also refer to DE 10 2017 127 637 A1, the disclosure content of which is part of the subject matter of the present invention.

The mixing chamber can be a filter chamber, preferably a fine mixed filter chamber.

Batch production of a liquid concentrate, in particular an acidic liquid concentrate, can be achieved by means of the present device.

The raw material in the container, i.e. the raw concentrate, can have any physical state. In principle, the raw material can be solid, liquid, granular, powdery, slurry-like or in any other form.

The container is preferably a disposable.

The container can be designed as a bag or as a vessel with rigid walls, e.g. as a cartridge.

The container can be connected directly to a blood treatment machine, preferably to a dialysis machine, and thus have appropriate connection means that interact with the blood treatment machine connection means, so that the container filled with dialysis concentrate, preferably a bag, can be connected to the blood treatment machine.

In contrast to a procedure in which the raw material is dissolved in the raw material container, according to the invention the mixing or dissolving takes place completely or essentially in the mixing chamber.

The container is connected via the suction line and the return line to the blood treatment device or other device for producing the dialysis sec concentrate etc. connected. The suction line is used to remove the raw material from the container and the return line is used to return the finished concentrate to the container, which is then in the form of a bag or the like filled with dialysis concentrate and can then be used to produce the ready-to-use dialysis solution. When the container is connected, the opening of the suction line is preferably arranged near the bottom of the container, where the undissolved concentrate or solid, ie the undissolved raw material, collects.

The suction unit can be arranged, for example, in the inlet or in the mixing line or between them.

It can be designed, for example, as a Venturi nozzle, the negative pressure of which is generated by the flow of solvent. If the inflow of solvent is started, raw material or pre-concentrate is sucked out of the container into the device-side mixing line through the suction unit. This is where the mixing chamber is located, which - as explained above - sets the suction speed from the container in a self-regulating manner. Ideally, this regulation means that a finished concentrate can be produced from the raw material in a single pass, i.e. without a circulating flow of the raw material.

According to the invention, a specific volume of solvent is preferably used, which is determined by the amount of electrolyte in the container. In this way, a batch with the desired volume and composition can be produced.

A valve is preferably arranged in the mixing line or in the inlet upstream of the suction unit.

Furthermore, a valve can be arranged in the mixing line downstream of the mixing chamber. Apart from the mixing chamber, the device preferably has no mixing tank and apart from the container no other storage container for the solution produced.

In one embodiment, a discharge line is provided for discharging the finished dialysis concentrate or other liquid produced, the discharge line being fluidically connected to the container or to the suction line or to the mixing chamber.

If the entire raw material has not yet been dissolved after a certain amount of solvent has been added, a mixing circuit can be switched on, through which the concentrate is circulated until the undissolved substances still present in the mixing chamber are completely dissolved. This is particularly possible when all of the raw material has already been sucked into the mixing chamber. This is a variant. However, the entire raw material from the container does not have to be in the mixing chamber for the mixing circuit to be switched on, since the mixing circuit or the fluid contained therein circulates via the suction unit and can therefore continue to suck raw material from the container. Switching on the mixing circuit is therefore also conceivable and covered by the invention when there is still raw material in the container.

The mixed circuit flow provides a flow over the suction unit so that raw material can also be sucked in without the need for additional solvent to be introduced into the mixing line.

A circuit line can thus be provided which is arranged parallel to the suction unit and/or the mixing chamber and which opens into the mixing line upstream of the suction unit or the mixing chamber and downstream of the mixing chamber. A pump and preferably at least one valve can be arranged in the circuit line.

A sensor can be provided which is designed to detect a parameter value (and/or its change over time) of the liquid that is characteristic of the progress of the dissolution of the raw material in the solvent, such as a concentration or conductivity in or downstream of the mixing chamber, wherein a control unit is present which is connected to the sensor and which is designed to open or close the circuit line depending on the parameter value. If an insufficient solution is detected, the circulation line is opened so that the concentrate is circulated until sufficient or complete dissolution is achieved.

As stated above, the intake unit can be a venturi nozzle.

The present invention further relates to a blood treatment machine, in particular a dialysis machine such as a hemodialysis machine or a peritoneal dialysis machine with a device for producing a dialysis concentrate or another liquid according to the invention.

The blood treatment device preferably has a water supply line in which water, in particular RO water, flows during the online production of ready-to-use dialysis solution. A concentrate line branches off from this feed line and is in fluid communication with the container filled with liquid dialysis concentrate. A concentrate pump can be arranged in the concentrate line to promote it. The water supply line can also contain a means for the measured delivery of water, so that a specific and desired dilution of the dialysis concentrate or the desired mixing ratio results. A mixing unit, for example a mixing chamber, can be provided downstream of where the concentrate line joins the water supply line be where the dialysis concentrate is mixed with the water. In principle, it is conceivable and covered by the invention for several concentrate lines to open into the water supply line, so that the ready-to-use dialysis solution can be produced from several dialysis concentrates, such as an acidic and a basic concentrate and water.

The subject matter of the disclosure is the device and/or the blood treatment device and/or the method and/or the use with and without a container connected to the device or to the blood treatment device.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing a dialysis concentrate or another liquid, the method being carried out using a device or arrangement according to the invention.

The production of the dialysis concentrate or the other liquid is preferably carried out in such a way that the raw material does not circulate through the container. After flowing through the mixing chamber, the solution itself returns to the container and can be sucked back into the mixing line from there by means of the suction unit, so that a circulatory flow of the solution via the container is possible and covered by the invention.

The circulation line is flowed through if the solution of the raw material in the solvent is not complete after metering in a certain amount of solvent.

If there is still undissolved raw material in the container, in one embodiment part or all of the liquid can be diverted from the mixing line by a pump and fed back through the suction unit. If available, the other part of the liquid can be poured into the holder to be returned. Undissolved concentrate is then sucked out of the container into the mixing line by the flow through the suction unit.

If a partial flow is diverted back into the tank, undissolved raw material can be drawn from the tank into the mixing line at the same time and circulation can be established in the tank through the tank itself, without the entire volume of the concentrate having to be routed through the mixing circuit.

In a conceivable embodiment, a first partial flow is branched off from the mixing line downstream of the suction unit and is routed again via the suction unit and possibly the mixing chamber in order to convey still undissolved substances out of the container. The remaining, second partial flow is fed to the container from the mixing line.

In a further embodiment, the dialysis concentrate or other liquid is degassed in the mixing chamber. In this case, there is no need for a separate degassing device.

The present invention also relates to the use of a device according to the invention for producing a dialysis concentrate or for producing another liquid, in particular a cleaning, sterilizing or disinfecting liquid, which is used in particular for blood treatment machines, preferably for dialysis machines.

At this point it is pointed out that the terms "a" and "an" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements, although this represents a possible embodiment, but can also refer to a plurality of elements. Likewise, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular and conversely the singular also includes several of the elements in question. Further advantages and details of the present invention are explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing.

Show it:

Figure 1: a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device without a circuit line,

Figure 2: a schematic view of a second embodiment of the device with circuit line and

FIG. 3: a schematic view of a third embodiment of the device for degassing the dialysis concentrate.

Figures 1 to 3 show different embodiments of the device for the production of dialysis concentrate. Elements that are the same or have the same function are identified in the figures with the same reference symbols.

According to FIG. 1, the mixing unit comprises the suction unit P1 and the mixing chamber F1.

The suction unit P1 is connected on the one hand to a source of water, such as RO water or other solvent, via the inlet line Z and on the other hand to the suction line L1, which in turn is fluidly connected to the container B1 containing the concentrate raw material.

The valve V1 is arranged in the inlet line Z upstream of the intake unit P1. Valve V2 is located downstream of the mixing chamber F1. Via this, the dialysis concentrate flows through the return line L2 to the container B1. As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the discharge line A is connected to the suction line L1, by means of which the dialysis concentrate is withdrawn from the container B1, for example by the blood treatment device, and can be used to produce the ready-to-use dialysis solution. In this case, a concentrate pump can be used, which conveys the liquid dialyse concentrate from the container into a line in which the dialyse concentrate is mixed with water or the like for the purpose of producing the ready-to-use dialysis solution. A mixing chamber etc. can be present for this purpose in order to ensure sufficient mixing. In the feed line into which the concentrate line opens, one or more dosing or throttling means can be present, which ensure a specific mixing ratio between dialysis concentrate and water and thus a specific dilution of the dialysis concentrate.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the process for producing the dialysis concentrate is as follows.

First, the container B1 that contains the raw material (hereinafter also referred to as “raw material container”) is connected to connections of the device or the dialysis machine or the mixing unit by means of the lines L1, L2.

Instead of a dialysis machine, it can also be another preparation device, so that the term “dialysis machine” used in the context of the invention is to be understood in general terms and includes any preparation units.

The raw material container B1 must be of a size such that the entire volume of the ready-mixed dialysis concentrate can be accommodated in it.

The raw material container B1 has two connections, one for line L1 and another for line L2. The raw material container B1 can have flexible or rigid walls and can be designed, for example, as a bag or cartridge. For example, it can be a flexible disposable container, for example in the form of one or more bags.

The line L1 is preferably a suction line that extends to the lowest point of the raw material container B1.

In the container B1 there is a concentrate which preferably forms an acidic or else a basic dialysis concentrate when it is dissolved. After mixing this dialysis concentrate with another concentrate and dialysis water, if necessary, it is used to produce a ready-to-use dialysis solution.

The water or other solvents required for mixing or dissolving the raw material, both generally referred to as “dialysis water” within the scope of the invention, is fed from the inlet connection, i.e. the inlet line Z, to the mixing circuit of the dialysis machine with a defined flow, quantity and pressure. The valve V1 is located in the inlet Z.

The exact dosing of the dialysis water can be done, for example, by means of flow sensors or by determining the volume or mass or, in the case of constant inflow conditions, by timing the inflow valve(s) V1 or by any other dosing device.

The dialysis water flowing in from the dialysis system or from another source flows via the suction unit P1, which is designed to generate a negative pressure in the line L1 leading from the container B1 to the mixing circuit. Thus, the raw material or the mixture of dialysis water and raw material is sucked from the container B1 into the mixing line M by means of the suction unit P1 and then the mixture of dialysis water and raw material is sucked into the fine mixing chamber Funded F1, which is located in the mixing line M. The suction unit P1 is arranged between the inlet line Z and the mixing line M.

The suction unit P1 is designed so that it can suck in the different forms of the raw material, if necessary, and then mix them with the dialysis water.

The raw material is dissolved in the fine mixing chamber F1 and the solution then flows back into the container B1 via the line L2. If it is a liquid raw material, a mixture of raw material and dialysis water takes place in the mixing chamber, which is also referred to as fine mixing chamber F1 within the scope of the invention. The fine mixing chamber F1 contains a retaining element, such as a filter element, and is self-regulating: if undissolved raw material collects on this retaining element, the pressure loss in the system increases and the flow through the filter element is reduced or prevented altogether. This minimizes the flow rate over the suction unit and thus further suction of further raw material from the container. Even with a low flow, the undissolved raw material is overflowed with fresh solvent, thus optimizing the dissolution. If the raw material is sufficiently dissolved in the fine mixing chamber, the pressure loss across the retaining element decreases and the flow rate of the solvent through the suction unit increases, which promotes further suction of raw material through the suction unit into the fine mixing chamber.

The mixing process in the fine mixing chamber F1 is self-regulating due to the combination of the design of the suction unit P1 and the fine mixing chamber F1.

If the raw material is sufficiently dissolved in the fine mixing chamber F1, the pressure loss decreases and the flow rate through the suction unit P1 increases, which promotes further suction of raw material through the suction unit P1 into the fine mixing chamber F1. If, on the other hand, the raw material in the fine mixing chamber F1 is not yet sufficiently dissolved, the pressure drop across the suction unit P1 and across the fine mixing chamber F1 increases, which means that the flow rate across the suction unit P1 increases. is correspondingly low and thus further suction of raw material from the container B1 is minimized or completely prevented.

The valve V1 is closed when a specific amount or a specific volume of dialysis water has been supplied.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the mixing unit comprises the suction unit P1, the fine mixing chamber F1 and the raw material container B1. In the mixing line M there can be a valve V2 which can be designed as a non-return valve VR2. From this, the dialysis concentrate flows into the container B1.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the raw material is mixed outside of the container B1 and without a further mixing branch.

The mixing circuit with suction unit P1 and fine mixing chamber is - as explained above - self-regulating and thus preferably ensures the complete dissolution/mixing of the raw material. The blockage by the raw material is prevented. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor system/control unit for monitoring and controlling the mixing process can thus be dispensed with.

In principle, the invention encompasses the use of exactly one mixing chamber F1 or also the use of a plurality of mixing chambers which are connected in series or in parallel. In the case of several mixing chambers, these can be identical or designed with mixing elements of different fineness.

In the event that the raw material does not dissolve completely or not sufficiently, an additional mixing drive branch can be provided, as is shown in FIG. This includes a pump P2 or another pressure generator that is suitable for generating a liquid flow through the circuit line L3, as well as a valve V4 and/or a check valve VR1. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the mixing drive branch is connected in parallel to the suction unit P1 and the mixing chamber F1. The mixing drive branch preferably opens into the mixing line downstream of the valve V1 and upstream of the valve V2 or VR2, as is shown in FIG.

A valve V4 can optionally be provided upstream of the pump P1 of the mixing branch, by means of which the circuit line containing the pump P2 can be shut off.

The solution or suspension is drawn off from the line section between F1 and V2/VR2 by means of the pressure generator P2, conveyed by the pump P2 and then added back into the line section of the mixing line M between V1 and F1. This creates a circulatory flow through the mixing chamber F1 and the mixing time can be extended independently of the dialysis water supply or the amount of dialysis water supplied.

When the mixing process is complete, the dialysis machine or other device can suck the dialysis concentrate produced or the dialysis solution or another finished mixed solution out of the container B1 through the suction line A, for which purpose the valve V3 is opened and the container B1 is emptied. In principle, the line A can also be designed as a pressure line.

The mixing process does not require a storage tank in which to carry out the mixing process. The concentrate raw material is dissolved / mixed without prior intermediate storage of dialysis water.

If the dialysis concentrate produced as described above is to be subjected to degassing, this can be done during removal with valves V2, V3 open and valve V1 (and optionally V4) closed and decoupled from container B1 Line L1 or with an optional closed valve in line L1 via the mixing chamber F1.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, the suction line A is connected to the suction line L1. The finished dialysis concentrate is withdrawn from the container B1 by means of the suction line A.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the line A is connected directly to the mixing chamber F1 and/or directly to the return line L2. The dialysis concentrate produced with this device can be degassed via the mixing chamber F1 with the valve V3 open and the valves V1 and possibly V2 and V4 closed.

After the mixing or after the production of the dialysis concentrate, the system or all flow paths can be flushed or disinfected, just as is possible according to the prior art with the canister connections on dialysis machines.

In a further embodiment, a disinfectant could be supplied via the inlet (inlet line Z) or the bag B1 could contain a disinfectant instead of the raw material container.

The production of cleaning, decalcifying and disinfecting solutions or the like is also conceivable with the proposed device and the method. This also makes it possible to clean or disinfect the connected dialysis system or the like with a solution produced in the device from concentrated raw materials (by sucking in or conveying the solution via line S).

The method according to the invention can be combined, for example, with: A density measurement for (automatic) quality control or determination of the progress of the mixing process.

To optimize and/or accelerate the dissolution process, the dialysis machine or another source can provide temperature-controlled dialysis water.

The device according to the invention can be combined with a system for online quality monitoring and approval.

A combination with a system for quality monitoring and quality-controlled optimization of the mixing process with control measures (such as temperature, mixing time, air supply (optional) or others) is conceivable.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is the integration of the mixing device according to the invention in a system or a unit that is upstream of the dialysis machine and connected to a dialysis water supply or integrated into it, so that the preparation of the solution in container B1 can take place in preparation.

In a further embodiment, the high-precision dosing system of a dialysis machine for the correct dosing of the dialysis water for the mixture of the raw material could be connected upstream of the inlet (inlet line Z) of the mixing system and thus be integrated into the mixing process.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method according to the invention is carried out as follows: The raw material bag or container B1 containing raw material is connected to the corresponding connections of the dialysis machine via the lines L1, L2. Dialysis water is transferred from the inlet connection (inlet line Z) with shut-off device V1 to the mixing circuit with a defined flow, quantity and pressure. The dialysis water provided by the dialysis system or from another source with a defined flow, quantity and pressure flows through the suction unit P1 and thus sucks the raw material or the raw material-dialysis water mixture from the container B1, such as a bag or cartridge, and transports the raw material -Dialysis water mixture in the fine mixing chamber F1. In this, the raw material is dissolved in the dialysis water or mixed with it and the finished solution in the form of the dialysis concentrate flows back into the container B1 via the line L2. After the defined amount of dialysis water has been made available, the shut-off device V1 is closed. If a raw material is used that does not completely dissolve during the dialysis water feed phase, the raw material can be completely dissolved with the aid of the optional mixing drive branch according to FIG. 2 or 3 . After the end of the mixing process, the dialysis machine can suck the dialysis concentrate or the dialysis solution or another ready mixed solution from the bag B1 by means of the line 2 and the open valve V3. 7. Optionally, density measurement or similar methods can be used for (automatic) quality control or determination of the progress of the mixing process.

8. To optimize and/or accelerate the dissolution process, temperature-controlled dialysis water can be used, which could be provided by the dialysis machine, for example.

9. After the dialysis treatment has been successfully completed, the bag B1 can be completely emptied by the machine and then disconnected and disposed of. Alternatively, the bag can also be uncoupled first and then emptied and disposed of manually.

10. Finally, the dialysis machine performs a cleaning or disinfection process with feedback connections, analogous to the cleaning process for the canister connections.

11. As an alternative to the feedback of the connections, a cleaning or disinfection process can be carried out by connecting a bag with cleaning Zdisinfecting solution.

12. The cleaning/disinfecting solution used could also be produced by mixing the device according to the invention on the basis of a concentrate analogously to the production of the dialysis concentrate, in which case the production would then be an integral part of the cleaning/disinfection process.

The integration of the mixing process of the raw material from a raw material container (eg from a bag) is essential, for example in dialysis machines. A second mixing circuit with mixing tank is not necessary. Furthermore, the design of the suction unit P1 and the fine mixing unit F1 for the automatic, self-regulating, safe resolution or production of the dialysis concentrate or the Cleaning or disinfecting solution and the combination of container or bag with raw material concentrate, method and device for safe self-regulated dissolution advantageous.

A storage tank or active pumping device is not absolutely necessary for the mixing method according to the present invention.

Advantages of the present invention are in a preferred embodiment:

Low investment costs high flexibility for treatment with different dialysis concentrates

Bag with concentrate raw material is lighter than canister with dialysis concentrate or a container with ready-to-use solution for dialysis treatment

Good storage and durability

Less waste

Lower transport costs

Lower running costs compared to dialysis concentrate canisters or ready-to-use solution for dialysis treatment

Claims

22

Claims Device for the production of a dialysis concentrate or another liquid, the device having an inlet (Z) for a solvent for dissolving or mixing with a raw material in a container (B1) which is soluble in the solvent or miscible with it, contains, the device having connection means for connection to the container, characterized in that the device has a mixing unit which is self-regulating and has a mixing pipe (M) and a suction unit (P1) arranged in the mixing pipe (M) and a mixing chamber (F1 ), wherein the suction unit (P1) can be fluidly connected to the inlet (Z) for the solvent and by means of a suction line (L1) to the container (B1) that can be connected to the device, and wherein downstream of the mixing chamber (F1) there is a return line (L2) leads back to the container (B1) which can be connected to the device. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the mixing line (M) upstream of the suction unit (P1) a valve (V1) arranged net and/or that a valve (V2) is arranged in the mixing line (M) downstream of the mixing chamber (F1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing unit has no mixing tank apart from the mixing chamber (F1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a discharge line (A) is provided for discharging the finished dialysis concentrate or other liquid, the discharge line (A) being fluidically connectable to the container (B1) or to the suction line (L1) or connected to the mixing chamber (F1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circuit line (L3) is provided, which is arranged parallel to the suction unit (P1) and / or the mixing chamber (F1) and upstream of the suction unit (P1) or the mixing chamber (F1 ) and downstream of the mixing chamber (F1) into the mixing line (M) and/or that the mixing chamber (F1) is a filter chamber, preferably a fine mixed filter chamber (F1). Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that a pump (P1) and preferably at least one valve (VR1, V4) are arranged in the circuit line (L3). Device according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a sensor is provided which is designed to record a parameter value of the liquid in or downstream of the mixing chamber (F1) which is characteristic of the progress of the dissolving or mixing of the raw material in or with the solvent. to detect, wherein a control unit is present, which is connected to the sensor and which is designed to open or close the circuit line (L3) depending on the parameter value. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction unit is a Venturi nozzle. Arrangement comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a container (B1) containing the raw material, which is in fluid connection with the device, so that raw material from the container (B1) to the suction unit (P1) and solution from the mixing line ( M) in the container (B1) can be performed. Blood treatment machine, in particular a dialysis machine, with a device or arrangement for producing a dialysis concentrate or another liquid according to one of Claims 1 to 9. Blood treatment machine according to Claim 10, characterized in that the blood treatment machine has a water inlet line and a concentrate line branching off from it, which is connected to the dialysis concentrate in the container (B1) is in fluid communication, with a mixing area being provided in which the dialysis concentrate conveyed from the container (B1) is mixed with the water from the water supply line for the purpose of producing a ready-to-use dialysis solution. Method for producing a dialysis concentrate or any other liquid, characterized in that the method is carried out using an arrangement according to claim 9. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the production of the dialysis concentrate or the other liquid is carried out without a circulating flow of the raw material occurring via the container (B1). The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the

Flow through the circuit line (L3) when the solution/mixture of the 25

Raw material in the solvent after dosing a certain amount of solvent is not complete. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that from the mixing line downstream of the suction unit (P1), the solution or a first partial flow of this is branched off from the mixing line (M) and passed again via the suction unit (P1) in order to to promote undissolved or non-mixed substances from the container (B1), it being preferably provided that a second partial flow from the mixing line (M) is fed to the container (B1). Method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the dialysis concentrate or other liquid is degassed in the mixing chamber (K1). Use of a device or arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device or arrangement is used to produce a dialysis concentrate or to produce another liquid, in particular a cleaning, sterilizing or disinfecting liquid, in particular for blood treatment machines, preferably for dialysis machines .