Continuous flow peritoneal dialysis system and method

A continuous flow peritoneal dialysis system comprising:

• a source of sterile dialysis fluid;
• an inflow line adapted for connection to an inflow catheter of a double peritoneal catheter implanted in the peritoneal cavity of a patient;
• an outflow line adapted for connection to an outflow catheter of said double peritoneal catheter;
• valve means connecting said source of dialysis fluid to said inflow and outflow lines for controlling the flow of dialysis fluid in and out of said double peritoneal catheter;
• disposal means connected to said valve means for disposing of said outflow of dialysis fluid;
• pressure monitoring means in the outflow line for sensing the pressure of dialysis fluid in said peritoneal cavity;
• and
• flow control means controlling said valve means in response to said pressure monitoring means so that flow of said dialysis fluid through said peritoneal cavity is controlled to maintain a desired volume and pressure of fluid in said cavity.

A continuous flow process for peritoneal dialysis wherein a double flow catheter is implanted into the peritoneal cavity of a patient, said catheter having an inflow and outflow catheter for delivering a dialysis fluid into and out of said peritoneal cavity, said process comprising:

• providing a supply of sterilized dialysis fluid;
• feeding said dialysis fluid to the inflow catheter of said peritoneal catheter;
• controlling the inflow of said sterile dialysis fluid through said peritoneal catheter so that the inflow and outflow of said sterile dialysis fluid are maintained generally equal;
• controlling the pressure of sterile dialysis fluid in the peritoneal cavity so that a predetermined pressure range of said dialysis fluid is maintained in said peritoneal cavity to maintain the peritoneal membrane properly distended at all times;
• and
• delivering the outflow of said sterile dialysis fluid from said peritoneal catheter to a disposal means whereby an open single-pass circuit for said sterile dialysis fluid is provided through said cavity.