Ionic enhanced dialysis/diafiltration system
AssigneeNephros, Inc.
InventorsGregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-stage system and methods for using the same include first and second filtration cartridges is provided and is particularly suited for hemodiafiltration and/or hemodialysis. As fluid enters the first filtration cartridge, the hydroxyl ion concentration and hence pH is increased by exposing it to either a strong base or a salt of a weak acid across a filter membrane. This stage allows for improved removal of certain toxins in the fluid, such as protein-bound substances that disassociate more readily from proteins at higher pH. As the filtered fluid enters the second filtration cartridge, the pH of the fluid is restored to normal levels prior to infusion to a patient.
Claims27
In a blood dialysis system including a source of substitution fluid and a blood dialysis machine, a hemodiafiltration device comprising:
- a source of a first dialysate fluid having a first pH and a source of a second dialysate fluid having a second pH;
- a first dialyzer including:
- a first semi-permeable membrane partitioning said first dialyzer into:
- a first blood compartment having a first blood inlet which receives blood to be cleaned and a first blood outlet which expels partially diafiltered blood;
- and
- a first dialysate compartment having a first dialysate inlet connected to said source of the first dialysate fluid and a first dialysate outlet, said first dialysate inlet for accepting said first dialysate fluid having a first pH;
- a chamber for mixing said partially diafiltered blood with substitution fluid from said source to obtain a blood/substitution fluid mixture;
- and
- a second dialyzer including:
- a second semi-permeable membrane partitioning said second dialyzer into:
- a second blood compartment having a second blood inlet which receives said blood/substitution fluid mixture and a second blood outlet which expels diafiltered blood;
- and
- a second dialysate compartment having a second dialysate inlet connected to said source of the second dialysate fluid and a second dialysate outlet, said second dialysate inlet for accepting a second dialysate fluid having a second pH, said first pH of said first dialysate fluid being greater than said second pH of said second dialysate fluid.
A blood cleansing system comprising:
- a source of a first dialysate fluid having a first pH and a source of a second dialysate fluid having a second pH;
- a first dialyzer including:
- a first semi-permeable membrane partitioning said first dialyzer into:
- a first blood compartment having a first blood inlet which receives blood to be cleaned and a first blood outlet which expels partially cleansed blood;
- and
- a first dialysate compartment having a first dialysate inlet connected to said source of the first dialysate fluid and a first dialysate outlet, said first dialysate inlet for accepting a first dialysate fluid having a first pH;
- and
- a second dialyzer including:
- a second semi-permeable membrane partitioning said second dialyzer into:
- a second blood compartment having a second blood inlet which receives said partially cleansed blood and a second blood outlet which expels cleaned blood;
- and
- a second dialysate compartment having a second dialysate inlet connected to said source of the second dialysate fluid and a second dialysate outlet, said second dialysate inlet for accepting a second dialysate fluid having a second pH, said first pH of said first dialysate fluid being greater than said second pH of said second dialysate fluid.
A method of cleansing blood comprising:
- supplying a blood inflow;
- dialyzing said blood inflow in a first dialyzer to provide partially dialyzed blood, said first dialyzer receiving a first dialysate fluid having a first pH;
- and
- dialyzing said partially dialyzed blood in a second dialyzer, said second dialyzer receiving a second dialysate having a second pH, said first pH being greater than said second pH.
A method of hemodiafiltration comprising:
- supplying a blood inflow;
- diafiltering said blood inflow in a first dialyzer to provide partially diafiltered blood, said first dialyzer receiving a first dialysate fluid having a first pH;
- mixing said partially diafiltered blood with a substitution fluid to provide a blood/substitution fluid mixture;
- and
- diafiltering said blood/substitution fluid mixture in a second dialyzer, said second dialyzer receiving a second dialysate having a second pH, said first pH being greater than said second pH.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.