# US 2014/0190891 A1 · Sorbent cartridge with electrodes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190891 A1 - Document ID: US20140190891A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/836,079 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Assignees: Medtronic, Inc. - Inventors: David B. Lura; Thomas E. Meyer; Bryant J. Pudil; Martin T. Gerber; Kenneth J. Collier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190891A1 ## CPC - A61M 1/1696: {with dialysate regeneration} - A61M 1/1605: {Physical characteristics of the dialysate fluid} - A61M 1/28: Peritoneal dialysis {; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation} - G01N 27/08: which is flowing continuously - A61M 1/1619: {Sampled collection of used dialysate, i.e. obviating the need for recovery of whole dialysate quantity for post-dialysis analysis} - A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A sorbent cartridge that has at least one sensor located within the sorbent cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sorbent cartridge comprising at least one sensor located within the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 2 A sorbent cartridge comprising at least one sensor in contact with at least one material layer in the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is a conductivity sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sorbent cartridge of claim 3, wherein said conductivity sensor has electrodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sorbent cartridge of claim 4, wherein said electrodes are ion selective. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sorbent cartridge contains at least one material layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2, 6) The sorbent cartridge of claim 2 or 6, wherein at least one material layer comprises one or more selected from a urease-containing material, alumina, zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and activated carbon, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2 comprising a plurality of sensors. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sorbent cartridge of claim 8, wherein at least two sensors are positioned parallel to a central axis in the direction of fluid flow of the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sorbent cartridge of claim 8, wherein at least two sensors are positioned perpendicular to a central axis in the direction of fluid flow of the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The sorbent cartridge of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sensors is located in at least two different locations within said sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The sorbent cartridge of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sensors is located in at least two different material layers within said sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one sensor is in contact with at least one of said material layers contained in said sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one said sensor is located between two different material layers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The sorbent cartridge of claim 13, wherein at least two sensors are located across at least one material layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The sorbent cartridge of claim 13, wherein at least one said sensor is embedded in at least one of said material layers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The sorbent cartridge of claim 13, wherein at least two of said sensors are in contact with at least one of said material layers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorbent cartridge is in fluid communication with a dialyzer, and a fluid is conveyed through the sorbent cartridge along a dialysate flow path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein a conductivity of a fluid flowing through at least one material layer of the sorbent cartridge is measured. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2, 6) The sorbent cartridge of claim 2 or 6, wherein a flow path of a fluid passing through the at least one material layers is in a sequential order. ### Claim 21 (depends on 2, 6) The sorbent cartridge of claim 2 or 6, wherein a flow path of a fluid passing through the plurality of material layers is not in a sequential order. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1, 2) A method, comprising the step of: determining an amount or concentration of at least one solute entering at least one material layer in the sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1, 2) A method, comprising the steps of: determining an amount or concentration of at least one solute exiting at least one material layer in the sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22, 23) The method of claim 22 or 23, further comprising the step of determining the change of amount or concentration of at least one solute exiting at least one material layer in the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is a conductivity electrode that can measure the conductivity of a fluid at a plurality of separate locations in the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorbent cartridge is in fluid communication with a dialysate flow loop circulating a dialysate between a dialyzer and the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorbent cartridge is configured for use in hemodialysis. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorbent cartridge is configured for use in hemodiafiltration. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorbent cartridge is configured for use in hemofiltration. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorbent cartridge is configured for use in peritoneal dialysis. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1, 2) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 or 2, further comprising electrodes positioned at any one of a perimeter, periphery circumference, and central axis of the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The sorbent cartridge of claim 31 wherein the electrodes have electrode heads made from any one of platinum, platinum-iridium, titanium, gold-plated nickel, and graphite. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The sorbent cartridge of claim 32 wherein the electrode heads are positioned at any varying radii from the central axis of the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The sorbent cartridge of claim 33 wherein the electrode heads are positioned at any one of 7r/8, 3r/4, r/2, r/3, r/4, r/5, r/8, r/16, r/32, and r/64 where r is the radius measured from the central axis. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The sorbent cartridge of claim 32 wherein the electrode heads are positioned at any one of a perimeter, periphery circumference, and central axis of the sorbent cartridge. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The sorbent cartridge of claim 32 wherein the electrode heads are selected from any one of a disc, rod, cylinder, antenna, serpentine, square, sheet, mesh, circular, planar, or strip configuration. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The sorbent cartridge of claim 1 having a central axis and at least one material layer having a layer plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the at least one sensor including at least one electrode head, the at least one electrode head contacting the at least one material layer and being spaced apart from the central axis. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The sorbent cartridge of claim 37, wherein the at least one electrode head includes first and second electrode heads positioned spaced apart from each other and both contacting the at least one material layer, the first electrode head being positioned between the second electrode head and the central axis. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The sorbent cartridge of claim 37, wherein the at least one material layer includes first and second material layers and the at least one electrode head includes first and second electrode heads, the first electrode head being positioned within the first material layer and the second electrode head being positioned within the second material layer.