Access disconnection systems and methods
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsRamesh Wariar, James Han, George Lamberson, Thomas P. Hartranft, Thore Falkvall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatuses, devices, systems and methods for detecting access disconnection are provided. The present invention includes electrical contacts in fluid and electrical communication with a fluid passing between a patient and a medical system during therapy. In this regard, the present invention can use a direct-contact measurement to detect access disconnection, such as dislodgment of an access device from the patient through which fluid can flow during therapy including, for example, medication delivery, dialysis therapy and the like.
Claims73
A medical device capable of detecting an access disconnection during medical therapy comprising a plurality of electrical contacts in fluid contact with a fluid and spaced apart from an access device insertable within a patient such that the electrical contacts can be used to detect a change in an electrical value responsive to access disconnection as the fluid flows between the patient and a fluid system connected to the patient via the access device.
An apparatus for detecting dislodgment of an access device inserted into a patient during medical therapy comprising:
- a blood circuit connecting the patient to an extracorporeal blood system wherein the blood circuit includes a blood tubing set having a first tube member connected to a first access device and a second tube member connected to a second access device and wherein the first access device and the second access device are each insertable within the patient such that blood flows between the patient and the extracorporeal blood system via the blood circuit;
- a pair of electrical contacts in fluid contact with the blood and spaced apart from at least one of the first access device and the second access device;
- and
- a controller in electrical contact with the pair of electrical contacts and capable of imparting an electrical signal passing between the pair of electrical contacts, measuring an electrical value associated with the electrical signal, and detecting a change in the electrical value due to dislodgment of at least one of the first access device and the second access device.
An apparatus for detecting dislodgment of a single access device insertable within a patient to administer medical therapy comprising:
- a tube member connecting the patient to a fluid system via the single access device wherein the fluid system contains a fluid that can flow between the patient and the fluid system;
- and
- a first electrode connected to the tube member in fluid contact with the fluid and a second electrode attached to the patient in proximity to the single access device such that the first electrode and the second electrode can be used to detect a change in an electrical value due to dislodgment of the single access device as the fluid flows between the patient and the fluid system having an electrical signal passing therein.
A dialysis machine comprising:
- a chassis having one or more connectors for connecting a patient to the dialysis machine via a blood circuit allowing blood to flow between the patient and the dialysis machine during dialysis therapy;
- a pair of electrical contacts connected to the blood circuit in fluid contact with the blood;
- and
- a controller for imparting an electrical signal that passes between the pair of electrical contacts and capable of detecting a change in an electrical value associated with the electrical signal in response to access disconnection of the blood circuit.
A dialysis treatment center comprising:
- a plurality of patient stations each at which dialysis therapy can be administered to one or more patients;
- one or more dialysis machines located at a respective patient station, one or more of the dialysis machines comprising a chassis having one or more connectors for connecting a patient to the dialysis machine via a blood circuit allowing blood to flow between the patient and the dialysis machine during dialysis therapy;
- and
- a pair of electrical contacts connected to the blood circuit in fluid contact with the blood allowing detection of a change in an electrical value in response to disconnection of at least one of the connectors as the blood flows through the blood circuit.
A method of detecting dislodgment of an access device during medical therapy comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a fluid circuit having a pair of electrical contacts each coupled to a fluid circuit in fluid contact with fluid that flows through the fluid circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the fluid via the pair of electrical contacts thereby defining a loop along which an electrical value can be measured;
- and
- monitoring the electrical value and detecting a disconnection between the patient and the fluid circuit based on a change in the electrical value.
A method of detecting dislodgment of an access device during dialysis therapy comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a blood circuit having a pair of electrical contacts each coupled to a blood circuit in fluid contact with blood that flows through the blood circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the blood via the pair of electrical contacts thereby defining a loop along which an electrical value can be measured;
- and
- detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a change in the electrical value.
A method of detecting access disconnection during dialysis therapy comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a blood circuit having a pair of electrical contacts each coupled to a blood circuit in fluid contact with blood that flows through the blood circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the blood via the pair of electrical contacts thereby defining a loop along which an electrical value can be measured;
- coupling a third electrical contact to the blood circuit between the pair of electrical contacts and one or more components of a dialysis system connected to the blood circuit;
- causing the electrical signal to bypass one or more of the components of the dialysis system;
- and
- detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a change in the electrical value.
A method of controlling blood loss due to dislodgment of an access device inserted within a patient during medical therapy comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a blood circuit having a pair of electrical contacts in fluid contact with blood as it flows through the blood circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the blood via the electrical contacts thereby defining a loop along the blood circuit allowing an electrical value to be measured;
- detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a change in the electrical value;
- producing a signal based on the detectable change in the electrical value;
- and
- processing the signal to minimize blood loss from the patient due to the disconnection.
A method of providing dialysis therapy to a patient comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a dialysis system via a blood circuit having a pair of electrical contacts coupled to the blood circuit in fluid contact with blood as it flows through the blood circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the blood via the pair of electrical contacts thereby defining a loop along which an electrical value can be measured;
- and
- detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a measurable change in the electrical value during dialysis therapy.
A method for providing dialysis therapy to a patient in a non-medical facility comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a dialysis device via a blood circuit in order to administer dialysis therapy wherein the blood circuit has a pair of electrodes in fluid contact with blood as it flows through the blood circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the blood via the pair of electrodes thereby defining a loop along which an electrical value can be measured;
- detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a measurable change in the electrical value;
- and
- activating an alarm that alerts the patient to blood loss due to the disconnection thereby allowing the patient to ensure that dialysis therapy is terminated.
A method for providing dialysis therapy in a non-medical setting that does not require a medical care provider to administer the dialysis therapy comprising the steps of:
- connecting a patient to a dialysis device via a blood circuit having a pair of electrodes in fluid contact with blood as it flows through the blood circuit;
- passing an electrical signal through the blood via the pair of electrodes thereby defining a loop along which an electrical value can be measured;
- detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a change in the electrical value;
- activating an alarm upon the detection of the blood loss;
- and
- terminating the dialysis therapy in response to the activation of the alarm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.