JP3688540B2 - Dialysate preparation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a dialysate for use in hemodialysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dialysis fluid preparation apparatus that can efficiently dissolve and prepare a powdery or liquid hemodialysis fluid preparation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As the number of patients with renal insufficiency increases, the number of patients undergoing hemodialysis is also increasing. Such patients are usually forced to undergo hemodialysis for several hours at a rate of once every few days in a hospital or dialysis center.
[0003]
In hemodialysis, blood and dialysate are circulated through a hollow fiber type semipermeable membrane module using a polymer membrane such as cellulose or polysulfone to remove waste and excess water in the blood. . The dialysate used for such dialysis is commercially available in the form of a concentrated solution or powdered or granular solid, and is used as a dialysate by adjusting the concentration by diluting and dissolving with a certain amount of water during use.
[0004]
Such dialysate includes acetic acid type and bicarbonate type, and solid preparation is particularly bicarbonate type dialysate, which is used as a powder (B agent) containing sodium bicarbonate. On the other hand, as a concentrate, dextrose or A concentrated aqueous solution (solution A) containing sodium chloride as a main component and potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, acetic acid or the like as a component is employed.
[0005]
When adjusting the dialysate from the preparation for dialysate preparation, the concentrated solution is diluted and mixed to adjust the dialysate concentration. The liquid is heavier than the dialysate components, and has the disadvantage of being particularly disadvantageous in terms of storage and delivery of dialysis solvent, but because it is easy to dissolve, it reduces labor and improves hygiene. As a measure, an automatic dialysate dissolution preparation device has also been devised.
[0006]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-618 discloses an artificial kidney device having an automatic dialysate preparation function and a dialysis function. The container sealing port is opened and lowered by moving a cylindrical cutter (spike) obliquely cut up and down. A device is described that opens and cleans and flushes the inside of the container by showering from a spray nozzle provided in the upper region of the cutter.
[0007]
On the other hand, when preparing a dialysate from a solid dialysate preparation agent, the concentration of the dialysate is adjusted by dissolving and mixing in water to obtain a concentrated solution, and then adjusting the dialysate concentration. In general, a device for storing a fixed amount of water in a tank and stirring and mixing it is generally used. Various automatic dialysate dissolution preparation devices have been devised to reduce manual labor and improve hygiene.
[0008]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-84967 discloses a device for injecting water into a bottle in which a powder is enclosed, causing the entire amount to flow out into the tank, and stirring and mixing in a tank equipped with a stirring blade, and a device for mixing with a circulation pump. Is described. Such a device is a type in which water is poured into a container and the solid preparation is washed into the tank, and it takes time to dissolve in order to dissolve in a limited space in the container, rather it may flow into the tank in an insoluble state. Many. Furthermore, there is a problem that water drops remain in the bottle and it is difficult to dispense the entire amount.
[0009]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-168678 describes a device for holding a quantitative powder container in an inverted state, placing it in a tank by natural fall, and stirring and mixing it. Such an apparatus is to pour all of the powder into the tank and dissolve it in the tank, and is equipped with a stirring blade to promote dissolution, but settles at the bottom of the tank to put the solid preparation into the tank at once. It takes time to dissolve it. Some tanks try to promote dissolution by generating eddy currents in the tank, but there are many problems such as complicated piping systems.
[0010]
In particular, the dialysate must be supplied to the patient in a sterile condition, and it is important that the device has a structure that can be easily cleaned and sterilized. It can happen.
[0011]
Further, Japanese Patent No. 2753242 discloses an apparatus for taking out a concentrated fluid by flowing water into a cartridge enclosing a solid dialysate preparation agent. For this purpose, it is necessary to manufacture a cartridge having a special structure in which powder is enclosed.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention solves the problems of conventional devices, and with a simpler structure, dispenses the powder or liquid dialysis solution preparation agent from the entire container, shortens the dissolution time, further washing, It is an object of the present invention to provide a dialysate preparation device that facilitates sterilization and is improved in terms of hygiene.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of earnestly examining the problem, the present inventor provides a drive system for the opening mechanism outside the apparatus by fixing the opening means and opening and closing the container enclosing the dialysate preparation agent. Found that it would be possible.
[0014]
That is, the present invention comprises a container enclosing a dialysate preparation agent, a container holding means for holding the container in an inverted state, an opening means for opening the sealing port of the container, a water supply means for preparing a dialysate, And a dialysate preparation apparatus comprising a dialysate tank for storing dialysate, the dialysate preparation apparatus comprising a mechanism for opening the sealing port of the container by the opening means by moving the container up and down Is to provide.
[0015]
Further, the present invention provides such a dialysate preparation apparatus, wherein the upper end includes an insertion port of the container and the lower end includes the container holding means, the opening means for sealingly fitting the inner cylinder part, and the water. A dialysate preparation apparatus comprising: an outer cylinder portion provided with a supply means; and a mechanism for moving the container up and down by moving the inner cylinder portion up and down and opening the sealing port of the container with the opening means. Is to provide.
[0016]
In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of mechanisms for opening the sealing port of such a container are provided, and in particular, the container encloses a dialysate preparation liquid and a container enclosing a dialysate preparation powder. The dialysate preparation apparatus is characterized by comprising the following.
[0017]
Furthermore, the present invention provides a dialysate preparation apparatus, wherein the opening means is a cylindrical cutter having a tip cut obliquely and has a slit at the top of the tip.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus capable of holding the dialysate preparation agent sealed in a container in an inverted state, removing the contents by natural dropping by opening the sealing port with an opening means, and diluting and dissolving with a water supply means. is there.
[0019]
Various container opening mechanisms are conceivable. However, if the drive system of the opening mechanism is placed inside the dissolution apparatus as in the conventional apparatus, it will be difficult to perform sufficient cleaning in the cleaning and sterilization process, and if the container contents come into direct contact with the drive part of the apparatus, a sliding seal In addition to biting into the part, there is a possibility of causing a decrease in durability of the apparatus in addition to the cleanability. Therefore, as the opening mechanism of the apparatus of the present invention, a system in which only an opening means such as an opening blade is provided inside the melting apparatus and the opening seal portion is pushed open by pushing down the container is preferably used.
[0020]
The mechanism for raising and lowering the bottle is usually driven by a motor. There are a method of rotating the bottle and a method of moving up and down by direct movement, but a method of moving up and down by direct movement is preferable from the viewpoint of simplicity of the drive mechanism and durability of the apparatus. As such a method, a ball screw is used, and a method of converting the rotational movement of the motor into the vertical movement of the bottle can be used. By using the position sensor together, it is possible to accurately move the bottle up and down.
[0021]
In the dialysate preparation device of the present invention, the bottle can be directly moved up and down, but from the viewpoint of ensuring airtightness and sterilization washing performance inside the dialysate preparation device, a dialysate preparation agent is sealed at the upper end. A container insertion opening, an inner cylinder part having the container holding means at the lower end, an outer cylinder part having an opening means and a water supply means sealingly fitted to the inner cylinder part, and moving the inner cylinder part up and down Thus, it is preferable to use one having a mechanism for moving the container up and down and opening the sealing port of the container with the opening means. By placing a container in the inner cylinder part and screwing it into the container holding means, the inside and outside of the apparatus can be shut off and the inside can be sterilized. This inner cylinder part can be accommodated inside, and an outer cylinder that can be sealed with a ring such as Teflon or silicon is provided. By moving the inner cylinder part up and down, the bottle is moved up and down indirectly and fixed inside the outer cylinder. The bottle opening can be opened with the opening means.
[0022]
A film seal such as a polyethylene film is usually used for the bottle-sealed portion of the dialysate preparation agent. In the apparatus of the present invention, an unsealing mechanism for unsealing the sealing material of the circular bottle enclosing port with a cylindrical cutter and discharging the encapsulated material in the bottle is preferably used. The cutter used for opening is characterized in that the tip is cut obliquely and has a slit at the top. The slit portion is provided to prevent the film from being mixed together with the contents by cutting the entire film sheet with a cylindrical cutter, and the seal of the slit portion is not cut off and opened as a result. The seal can remain on the bottle side. The width of the slit part varies depending on the size of the bottle, the type of film used, and the sealing strength. However, if the slit width is too narrow, there is a risk of cutting off due to insufficient strength. There is a risk that it will remain in the department and the entire amount of the contents cannot be paid out. In the opening device of the present invention, the slit width is preferably 4 to 6 mm.
[0023]
Moreover, it is preferable to provide this slit part in the front-end | tip part of the cylindrical cutter cut diagonally. By providing the tip portion, the portion to be left uncut is determined in the first stage of cutting the film sheet, and the influence of sharpness reduction due to the film tension drop that occurs as cutting continues can be minimized.
[0024]
The cutting angle of the cylindrical cutter cut obliquely is not particularly limited, but if it is an acute angle, the moving distance of the bottle or cutter will be longer, and the cylindrical cutter will be cut obliquely from the standpoint of machine durability. The tip end angle is 70 to 85 °, preferably 75 to 80 °. Moreover, it is preferable that the cutting edge shape of a cylindrical cutter is the single blade which provided the blade on the outer side of the cylinder. Thereby, the incision surface can be fixed.
[0025]
Further, in the dialysate preparation device of the present invention, when the dialysate preparation solution is used, after the liquid falls off by natural fall, it is sprayed from the water supply means with a spray nozzle or the like to wash the inside of the container and the opening means. As a result, the contents can be diluted and washed at the same time.
[0026]
The spray port of the water supply unit is a unit that is provided upward in the lower part of the cylindrical incision unit and that cleans the inside of the container by spraying water through the cylinder. By providing the lower spray port of the incision means and washing the inside of the container through the inside of the cylindrical incision means, it is possible to directly wash the opening means with which the contents come into contact at the time of opening. The inside can also be directly sprayed with water, improving the cleaning performance.
[0027]
Therefore, in the cleaning mechanism of the apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the spraying directions of the spray ports of the container, the cylindrical opening means, and the water supply means are arranged on the same axis. However, on the coaxial line, it is most preferable to completely match from the viewpoint of cleaning efficiency, but there is a demerit that the contents directly hit the spray port, and some deviation is allowed. Is allowed to spray in the container without hitting the inner wall of the cylindrical opening means.
[0028]
Such an apparatus is preferably provided with a mesh-like partition means between the opening means and the tank means. Usually, a disk-shaped mesh structure is used, which separates the dialysate tank portion. The washing solution flows out from the mesh portion of the partition means into the tank by the stock solution of the dialysate preparation solution and the sprayed water, diluted with a fixed amount of water, and the concentration is adjusted as a dialysate.
[0029]
In addition, when the powdered dialysate preparation agent enclosed in a container is used, the contents are temporarily stored on the mesh-like partitioning means by natural dropping by holding them in an inverted state and opening the sealing port with the opening means. Thus, it is preferable to use an apparatus in which water is sprayed and dissolved in the partitioning means, and the dissolved dialysate flows into the tank through the mesh means and is stored and prepared in the tank.
[0030]
The shape of the mesh-like partition means used in such an apparatus depends on the cylindrical shape including the opening means, but usually a disk-like mesh structure is used. Such means is provided at the lower part of the opening means of the dialysate preparation device and separates the dialysate tank portion.
[0031]
Further, if the mesh size of the partitioning means is too large, the powdered dialysate preparation agent may not be retained and may flow into the tank in the form of crystals or powder, and is preferably 150 μm or less. On the other hand, if it is too small, the permeability of water and the solution may be deteriorated and the dissolution time may be prolonged, and it is preferable to use a mesh size having an opening of 20 μm or more. More preferably, a mesh with openings of 50 to 100 μm is preferable.
[0032]
Such mesh partition means may be a single layer or a combination of a plurality of layers. In this case, a support layer having a mesh structure wider than the mesh opening can be used.
[0033]
The material of the partition means is not particularly limited, such as a metal mesh, plastic, or resin, but is made of stainless steel, particularly SUS304 or more, more preferably from the viewpoint of safety and mechanical strength as a medical device. A quality of SUS316 or higher is preferred.
[0034]
The water supply device for spraying water onto the mesh partition means has a structure for spraying toward the mesh partition means. It sprays not in the upper direction of the apparatus, that is, toward the container opening, but in the lower direction, the mesh direction on which the contents are placed. By spraying in such a direction, in addition to being able to dissolve efficiently, it is possible to prevent the solution from adhering to a container or the like, and to ensure dissolution. The number of spray ports is not limited, but a plurality of spray ports is preferable from the viewpoint of dissolution efficiency, but even one spray port can be sufficiently dissolved by spraying from this direction.
[0035]
Although the spraying direction depends on the installation position of the spraying port of the water supply device, it is preferable to provide the spraying port on the lower side surface of the unsealing means so that the opened contents do not hit, from which the center of the mesh partition means is located. Spraying from the upper side in the center has good dissolution efficiency.
[0036]
The method of taking out the dialysate preparation agent from the container enclosing it into the mesh container uses natural fall. When water is sprayed into the container and taken out, there is a possibility that the powder forms a bridge in the container and cannot be completely taken out, and there is also a risk that sufficient concentration of trace components cannot be secured because water droplets remain. When natural fall is used, it is necessary to use the shoulder portion of the container having a necessary taper angle, but the rest does not need to have a special shape, and approximately 100% of the powder can be taken out. Moreover, clogging can be prevented without the powder falling on the spraying port.
[0037]
Using such opening means, after dispensing on the mesh partition means, water is sprayed, and the dissolved dialysate flows out from the mesh portion of the partition means into the tank and is diluted with a fixed amount of water to adjust the concentration. .
[0038]
【Example】
The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of the dialysate preparation apparatus of the present invention. A device 4 for taking out the contents from the container 2 enclosing the liquid dialysate preparation agent and a dissolving device 5 for taking out the contents from the container 3 enclosing the powdery dialysate preparation agent and dissolving them are provided above the tank 12. .
[0039]
First, a liquid dialysate is taken out by the apparatus 4 and the diluted solution is collected in the tank 12. The dialysate after the collection is completed is transferred from the tank 12 to a separately provided sub tank. Next, the RO water stored in the tank in the dissolution apparatus 5 is supplied to the spray nozzle 8 in the dissolution mechanism 4 using the circulation pump 1, and the dissolved dialysate is collected in the tank 2. Such supply RO water can be provided directly from the RO water supply source by providing another line. Finally, the dialysate that has been transferred to the sub-tank is transferred again to the tank 2 and is uniformly mixed with the dialysate prepared by the dissolving device 5 using the circulation pump 1 to complete the preparation.
[0040]
FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the device 4 for taking out the liquid dialysate preparation solvent. FIG. 3 shows a detailed (front) view of the melting apparatus 5 and FIG. 4 shows a detailed (side) view. As a preparation stage, dialysate adjusting agent bottles 2 and 3 are set upside down on inner cylinder 16 and inner cylinder 26, respectively.
[0041]
Next, a method for taking out the liquid dialysate using the apparatus 4 will be described. First, the electromagnetic valve 10 is opened, and the device 4 and the dialysate tank are communicated. The bottle is automatically opened as follows. The ball screw 14 is rotated by the motor 13. The nut 15 is lowered by the rotation of the ball screw. The inner cylinder boulder 18 is fixed to the nut 15 and the inner cylinder 16, and the inner cylinder 16 descends as the nut 15 descends. The bottle 2 is pierced and opened by the cylindrical cutter 20 by descending. Simultaneously with opening, the liquid in the bottle is discharged from the bottle by free fall.
[0042]
After opening, the motor 13 rotates in the reverse direction of the lowering and the inner cylinder returns to the position before the lowering. Next, water is sprayed into the bottle and the apparatus 4 by the spray nozzle 21. The liquid stock solution adhering to the bottle, the cutter, the inner wall of the dialysate preparation mechanism, etc. is collected in the tank through the electromagnetic valve 10 while being diluted with the jet water. The diluent is transferred from the tank to another sub-tank.
[0043]
Preparation of the powdery dialysate preparation agent using the dissolution apparatus 5 will be described. First, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened, and the dissolving device 5 and the dialysate tank are communicated.
[0044]
Next, the lowering of the bottle will be described. The ball screw 24 is rotated by the motor 23. The nut 25 is lowered by the rotation of the ball screw. The inner cylinder boulder 26 is fixed to the nut 25 and the inner cylinder 26, and the inner cylinder 26 descends with the bottle as the nut 25 descends. The bottle 3 is pierced and opened by the cylindrical cutter 30 by descending.
[0045]
After opening, the motor 23 rotates in the direction opposite to the lowering and the inner cylinder returns to the position before the lowering. At the same time, the entire amount of the contents of the bottle 3 is paid out to the dissolution tank 32 squeezed by the mesh 33. A dissolution mesh having a mesh size of 70 μm is used. The powder on the dissolving mesh 33 is dissolved by spraying water to the discharged powder by the spray nozzle 31.
[0046]
After the powder is completely dissolved on the mesh, the powder adhering to the cylindrical cutter 30 and the inner wall surface of the melting device 4 is washed away by the cleaning spray nozzles 34 and 35. The dissolved dialysate flows from the mesh opening through the valve 11 and flows into the tank, and is diluted and mixed with a certain amount of RO water to prepare a dialysate. Further, in order to uniformly mix the dissolved dialysate and RO water, the solution in the dialysate tank 2 is circulated by the dialysate circulation pump 1.
[0047]
After the uniform mixing is completed, the dialysate transferred to the sub tank is transferred again to the tank 12. Using the circulation pump 1, further uniform mixing is completed.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
The dialysate preparation apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus that can automatically prepare a dialysate having a uniform concentration without simplifying the dissolution mechanism and without providing a structure such as a stirring blade in the tank. In addition, it is a dialysate preparation apparatus that can be easily sterilized by washing by circulating hot water in the apparatus, and is excellent in hygiene.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic follow-up view of a dialysate preparation device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a liquid dialysate dissolution apparatus in the dialysate preparation apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view (front view) of a dissolution apparatus for a powdery dialysate preparation agent in the dialysate preparation apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view (side view) of a dissolution apparatus for powdered dialysate preparation agent in the dialysate preparation apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Circulation pump2. Tank 3. Bottle A
4). 4. Bottle A opening device Melting device 6. Mesh filter B
7. 7. Solenoid valve for spray nozzle 8. Solenoid spray nozzle solenoid valve 9. Solenoid valve for cleaning spray nozzle Tank shut-off solenoid valve A
11. Tank shut-off solenoid valve B
12 Tank 13. Motor A
14 Ball screw A
15. Nut A
16. Inner cylinder A
17. Outer cylinder A
18. Inner cylinder holder A
19. Ball screw unit holder A
20. Cylindrical cutter A
21. Spray nozzle 22. Mesh filter A
23. Motor B
24. Ball screw B
25. Nut B
26. Inner cylinder B
27. Outer cylinder B
28. Inner cylinder holder B
29. Ball screw unit holder B
30. Cylindrical cutter B
31. Dissolving spray nozzle 32. Dissolving tank 33. Mesh filter B
34. Spray nozzle for cleaning B1
35. Spray nozzle for cleaning B2

Claims (4)

A container enclosing a dialysate preparation agent, a container holding means for holding the container in an inverted state, an unsealing means for opening the sealing port of the container, a water supply means for preparing the dialysate, and storing the dialysate In a dialysate preparation apparatus provided with a dialysate tank , an inner cylinder part having an insertion port of the container at an upper end and a container holding means at a lower end, the opening means sealingly fitted to the inner cylinder part, and the water supply A dialysate preparation apparatus comprising an outer cylinder portion provided with means, and a mechanism for moving the container up and down by moving the inner cylinder portion up and down and opening the sealing port of the container with the opening means. Dialysate preparation device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for opening the container of the sealing port is characterized in that it comprises a plurality. The dialysate preparation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the container comprises a container enclosing a dialysate preparation liquid and a container enclosing a dialysate preparation powder. It said opening means is a cylindrical cutter tip is cut diagonally, the dialysate preparation device according to claim 1 to 3, wherein a has a slit at the tip top.

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