# US 5,344,231 A · System for the preparation of a fluid concentrate intended for medical use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,344,231 A - Document ID: US5344231A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/003,844 - Filed: 1993-01-11 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1990-02-19 - Assignees: Gambro AB - Inventors: Lennart Jonsson; Stefan Knutsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344231A ## CPC - A61M 1/1656: {Apparatus for preparing dialysates} - A61M 1/1666: {by dissolving solids} - A61M 1/1668: {Details of containers} - B01F 21/30: {Workflow diagrams or layout of plants, e.g. flow charts; Details of workflow diagrams or layout of plants, e.g. controlling means} - B01F 23/59: {Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams} - B01F 25/51: in which the mixture is circulated through a set of tubes, e.g. with gradual introduction of a component into the circulating flow - B01F 25/53: in which the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle through a recirculation tube, into which an additional component is introduced - B01F 35/2133: {Electrical conductivity or dielectric constant of the mixture} - B01F 35/82: by adding a material to be mixed to a mixture in response to a detected feature, e.g. density, radioactivity, consumed power or colour - B01F 21/4021: {in the form of tablets stored in containers, canisters or receptacles} - B01F 23/56: {by introducing solids in liquids, e.g. dispersing or dissolving} - 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)} - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) ## Abstract Apparatus for the preparation of fluids intended for medical use is disclosed, including a source of pure water and at least one cartridge or other vessel containing a powder which is to be dissolved in the water for preparation of the desired fluid. The apparatus includes a container such that the water and a powder or powder concentrate can be mixed and a concentrate provided in the container, and a recirculation circuit for recirculation of the water or concentrate solution into the container for further mixing of the water and powder or powder concentrate to prepare a concentrate having a predetermined concentration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for the preparation of a concentrate solution from water and powder or powder concentrate comprising water supply means for supplying said water, dissolution means for dissolving said powder or powder concentrate in said water, said dissolution means comprising a container whereby said water supply means is adapted to supply said water to said container and at least a portion of said powder or powder concentrate can be dissolved in said water so as to provide said concentrate solution in said container, withdrawal means for withdrawing said concentrate solution comprising a mixture of said water and said powder concentrate from said container, and recirculation means for recirculating said concentrate solution into said container for further dissolution of said water with said powder or powder concentrate to further concentrate said concentrate solution to a predetermined concentration, said recirculation means including at least one conduit for providing a recirculation path for said concentrate solution during said recirculation, a plurality of cartridge members selectively connected to said at least one conduit, at least one of said plurality of cartridge members containing said powder or powder concentrate, and flow control means for controlling the flow in said recirculation means, said flow control means including concentration determination means for determining the concentration of said concentrate solution and regulating the concentration thereof, and valve means connected to said at least one conduit, said valve means being operatively associated with said concentration determination means for selectively providing a flowpath for said concentrate solution recirculating in said recirculation means to one of said plurality of cartridge members in response to said concentration determination means whereby said powder or powder concentrate contained within said one of said cartridge members is further dissolved in said concentrate solution. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow control means further comprises pump means connected to said at least one conduit for facilitating said recirculation of said concentrate solution in said recirculation means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pump means comprises metering pump means for metering said water or concentrate solution provided by said dissolution means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said concentration determination means includes conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of said concentrate solution whereby the recirculation of said concentrate solution in said recirculation means can be controlled thereby. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 including secondary cartridge means having additional powder or powder concentrate therein, and wherein said water supply means includes secondary water conduit means for conducting said water to said secondary cartridge means whereby said additional powder or powder concentrate contained within said secondary cartridge means is adapted to be dissolved in said water for producing a secondary concentrate solution therein, secondary withdrawal means including a conduit connected to said secondary cartridge means for withdrawing said secondary concentrate solution from said secondary cartridge means, and secondary mixing means for mixing said secondary concentrate solution with said concentrate solution withdrawn from said recirculation means so as to provide a combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 including secondary concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said secondary concentrate solution. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 including third concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 including secondary concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said secondary concentrate solution and third concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7, 8) The apparatus of claim 7 or 8 further comprising pump means for controlling the flow of said combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 including tertiary cartridge means having additional powder or powder. concentrate therein, and wherein said water supply means includes tertiary water conduit means for conducting said water to said tertiary cartridge means whereby said additional powder or powder concentrate contained within said tertiary cartridge means is adapted to be dissolved in said water for producing a tertiary concentrate solution produced therein, tertiary withdrawal means including a conduit connected to said tertiary cartridge means for withdrawing said tertiary concentrate solution from said tertiary cartridge means, and a tertiary mixing means for mixing said tertiary concentrate solution with at least one of said concentrate solution withdrawn from said recirculation means and said secondary concentrate solution. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further including final concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said combined concentrate solution and said tertiary concentrate solution. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 including closure valve means associated with said water supply means whereby said supply of said water can be terminated when said dissolution means contains a predetermined quantity of said water. ### Claim 13 Apparatus for the preparation of a concentrate solution from water and powder or powder concentrate comprising water supply means for supplying said water, dissolution means for dissolving said powder or powder concentrate in said water, said dissolution means comprising a container whereby said water supply means is adapted to supply said water to said container and at least a portion of said powder or powder concentrate can be dissolved in said water so as to provide said concentrate solution in said container, first withdrawal means for withdrawing said concentrate solution comprising a mixture of said water and said powder or powder concentrate from said container, recirculation means for recirculating said concentrate solution into said container for further dissolution of said water with said powder or powder concentrate, said recirculation means including at least one conduit for providing a recirculation path for said concentrate solution during said recirculation, cartridge means containing powder or powder concentrate connected to said at least one conduit, whereby during said recirculation, said concentrate solution passes through said cartridge means so that said powder or powder concentrate contained within said cartridge means can be dissolved in said recirculating concentrate solution to further concentrate said concentrate solution to a predetermined concentration, said recirculation means further including concentration determination means for determining the concentration of said concentrate solution and regulating the concentration thereof, and valve means connected to said at least one conduit, said valve means being operatively associated with said concentration determination means for selectively providing a flowpath for said concentrate solution recirculating in said at least one conduit to said cartridge means in response to said concentration determination means, second withdrawal means including a conduit for withdrawing said concentrate solution from said recirculation means when said concentrate solution reaches said predetermined concentration, secondary cartridge means containing additional powder or powder concentrate, said water supply means including secondary water conduit means for conducting said water to said secondary cartridge means, whereby said additional powder or powder concentrate contained within said secondary cartridge means can be dissolved in said water and a secondary concentrate solution produced therein, and secondary dissolution means for dissolving said secondary concentrate solution with said concentrate solution withdrawn from said recirculation means by said second withdrawal means so as to provide a combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said concentration determination means includes conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of said concentrate solution. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 including third concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 including secondary concentration determination means for measuring the concentration of said secondary concentrate solution and third conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of said combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15, 16) The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein said recirculation means includes pump means connected to said at least one conduit for controlling the flow of said combined concentrate solution. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 including tertiary cartridge means having additional powder or powder concentrate therein, wherein said water supply means includes tertiary water conduit means for conducting said water to said tertiary cartridge means whereby said additional powder or powder concentrate contained within said tertiary cartridge means can be mixed with said water and a tertiary concentrate solution produced therein, tertiary withdrawal means including a conduit for withdrawing tertiary concentrate solution from said tertiary cartridge means, and tertiary mixing means for mixing said tertiary concentrate solution with said at least one of said concentrate solution withdrawn from said recirculation means and said secondary concentrate solution. ### Claim 19 Apparatus for the preparation of a concentrate solution from water and powder or powder concentrate comprising water supply means for supplying said water, cartridge means for retaining said powder or powder concentrate, dissolution means for dissolving said powder or powder concentrate with said water whereby said water supply means is adapted to supply said water to said cartridge means in order to dissolve at least a portion of said powder or powder concentrate and provide said concentrate solution in said cartridge means, and recirculation means for withdrawing said concentrate solution from said cartridge means and recirculating said concentrate solution through said cartridge means to further concentrate said concentrate solution to a predetermined concentration, said recirculation means including at least one conduit for providing a recirculation path for said concentrate solution during said recirculation, said at least one conduit being connected to said cartridge means so that said concentrate solution flows through said at least one conduit into said cartridge means, concentration determination means arranged in the flowpath defined by said at least one conduit for determining the concentration of said concentrate solution and regulating the concentration thereof until said predetermined concentration is obtained, and valve means connected to said at least one conduit, said valve means being operatively associated with said concentration determination means for selectively providing a flowpath for said concentrate solution to said cartridge means in response to said concentration determination means whereby said powder contained within said cartridge means is further dissolved in said concentrate solution. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said dissolution means comprises a container. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 including recirculation pump means for facilitating said recirculation of said concentrate solution in said recirculation means. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said water supply means includes inlet valve means for supplying said water to said recirculation means, and wherein said recirculation means includes outlet valve means for withdrawing said concentrate solution from said recirculation means. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said concentration determination means includes conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of said concentrate solution in said recirculation means. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23 including control means for opening and closing said outlet valve means based upon said measurement of said conductivity measuring means. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said cartridge means comprises a plurality of cartridge members.