Membrane pump usage condition detection

A system for detecting a usage condition of a membrane pump the system comprising:

• a cartridge including a rigid body and a deformable membrane, the rigid body and the deformable membrane together defining at least a portion of the membrane pump including a chamber and at least one valve in fluid communication along a flow path defined by the cartridge, the at least one valve operable to open and close the flow path extending through the chamber of the membrane pump;
• a measuring device;
• a comparator;
• a signal generator, wherein:
• the measuring device is configured to determine a value of an electrical characteristic between two points on the flow path of the cartridge, a first point on the flow path arranged upstream of the at least one valve and a second point on the flow path arranged downstream of the at least one valve,
• the measuring device measures the value of the electrical characteristic when the at least one valve is closed,
• the comparator is configured to monitor the value of the electrical characteristic,
• and
• the signal generator is arranged to provide an output signal, corresponding to the usage condition of the membrane pump, when the value of the electrical characteristic is indicative of deterioration of the membrane pump;
• and
• a processor arranged to receive the output signal, wherein the processor calculates a specific number of uses of the cartridge from the value of the electrical characteristic indicative of the deterioration of the membrane pump.

A system for detecting a usage condition of a membrane pump, the system comprising:

• a cartridge including a rigid body and a deformable membrane, the rigid body and the deformable membrane together defining at least a portion of the membrane pump including a chamber and at least one valve in fluid communication with one another along a flow path defined by the cartridge, the at least one valve operable to open and close the flow path extending through the chamber of the membrane pump;
• a measuring device;
• a comparator;
• a signal generator, wherein:
• the measuring device is configured to determine a value of an electrical characteristic between two points on the flow path of the cartridge, a first point on the flow path upstream of the at least one valve and a second point on the flow path downstream of the at least one valve,
• the measuring device measures the value of the electrical characteristic when the at least one valve is closed,
• the comparator is configured to monitor the value of the electrical characteristic, and
• the signal generator is arranged to provide an output signal, corresponding to the usage condition of the membrane pump, when the value of the electrical characteristic is indicative of deterioration of the membrane pump;
• and
• a processor arranged to permit a set number of re uses of the cartridge based on the output signal.

A method of determining a usage condition of a membrane pump, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a dialysis machine including a cartridge, a measuring device, a comparator, and a signal generator, the cartridge having a rigid body and a deformable membrane, the rigid body and the deformable membrane together defining at least a portion of the membrane pump including a chamber and at least one valve in fluid communication with one another along a flow path defined by the cartridge, the at least one valve operable to open and close the flow path extending through the chamber of the membrane pump;
• configuring the measuring device for determining a value of an electrical characteristic between two points on the flow path of the cartridge, a first point on the flow path upstream of the at least one valve and a second point on the flow path downstream of the at least one valve;
• operating the dialysis machine through a cycle;
• with the at least one valve closed, measuring the value of the electrical characteristic;
• monitoring the value of the electrical characteristic throughout the cycle using the comparator;
• and
• providing an output signal, corresponding to the usage condition of the membrane pump, when the value of the electrical characteristic is indicative of deterioration of the membrane pump, wherein the output signal comprises an error message for prevention of further use of the cartridge.

A method of determining a usage condition of a membrane pump, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a dialysis machine including a cartridge, a measuring device, a comparator, and a signal generator, the cartridge having a rigid body and a deformable membrane, the rigid body and the deformable membrane together defining at least a portion of the membrane pump including a chamber and at least one valve in fluid communication with one another along a flow path defined by the cartridge, the at least one valve operable to open and close the flow path extending through the chamber of the membrane pump;
• configuring the measuring device for determining a value of an electrical characteristic between two points on the flow path of the cartridge, a first point on the flow path upstream of the at least one valve and a second point on the flow path downstream of the at least one valve;
• operating the dialysis machine through a cycle;
• with the at least one valve closed, measuring the value of the electrical characteristic;
• monitoring the value of the electrical characteristic throughout the cycle using the comparator;
• providing an output signal, corresponding to the usage condition of the membrane pump, when the value of the electrical characteristic is indicative of deterioration of the membrane pump;
• and
• based on the value of the electrical characteristic, calculating a specific number of uses of the cartridge.