# US 7,744,554 B2 · Cassette alignment and integrity testing for dialysis systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,554 B2 - Document ID: US7744554B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/770,424 - Filed: 2007-06-28 - Published: 2008-06-05 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2002-12-31 - Assignees: Baxter International Inc.; Baxter Healthcare S.A. - Inventors: David Howard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744554B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/281: {Instillation other than by gravity} - A61M 1/1522: {the interface being evacuated interfaces to enhance contact} - A61M 1/154: {with sensing means or components thereof} - A61M 1/155: {with treatment-fluid pumping means or components thereof} - A61M 1/1561: {at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil} - A61M 1/1562: {Details of incorporated reservoirs} - A61M 1/1565: {Details of valves} - A61M 1/1696: {with dialysate regeneration} - A61M 1/28: Peritoneal dialysis {; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation} - A61M 1/284: {Continuous flow peritoneal dialysis [CFPD]} - A61M 1/16: with membranes - A61M 2205/122: using evacuated interfaces to enhance contact - 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)} ## Abstract A method for aligning a disposable cassette within a dialysis machine includes actuating a pump head toward the disposable cassette and to contact a pumping portion of the disposable cassette and shift the disposable cassette if need be into proper operational alignment and locking the disposable cassette in place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for aligning a disposable cassette within a peritoneal dialysis machine comprising the steps of: accepting the disposable cassette within the peritoneal dialysis machine; actuating a pump head toward the disposable cassette; contacting a pumping portion of the disposable cassette with the pump head; using the pump head to shift the disposable cassette into proper operational alignment with the pump head; and inflating a bladder to lock the properly aligned disposable cassette in place. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein actuating the pump head includes moving a pump piston. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes actuating a plurality of pump heads toward the disposable cassette. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein actuating the pump head includes using a positive or negative pressure source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes the step of locking a door and enclosing the disposable cassette before actuating the pump head. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pumping portion of the disposable cassette includes at least one flexible membrane. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein locking the disposable cassette in place includes moving a member mechanically. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein locking the disposable cassette in place includes inflating the bladder using a pressure source that is controlled by a controller. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes the step of sensing a resistance to movement of the pump head caused by the disposable cassette and causing a response based on the resistance. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the response is selected from the group consisting of: an output to proceed with the therapy, a disposable cassette misalignment output and a disposable cassette integrity problem output. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, which includes orienting the cassette horizontally or vertically with respect to the pump head. ### Claim 12 A method for diagnosing an integrity problem with a disposable cassette used in a peritoneal dialysis machine comprising the steps of: accepting the disposable cassette within the peritoneal dialysis machine; actuating a pump head toward the disposable cassette; sensing a resistance to movement of the pump head caused by the disposable cassette; and sending a disposable cassette integrity problem output based on the resistance sensed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, which includes the step of comparing the resistance sensed to a resistance expected and sending the disposable cassette integrity problem output based on the resistance sensed and the comparison. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, which includes orienting the cassette horizontally or vertically with respect to the pump head. ### Claim 15 A system for performing a peritoneal dialysis treatment comprising: a peritoneal dialysis machine; a disposable cassette constructed and arranged to be inserted into the peritoneal dialysis machine; a pump actuator including a pump head, the pump head operable with a flexible portion of the disposable cassette; at least one sensor; and a controller connected operably to the pump actuator, the controller programmed to cause the pump head to contact the flexible portion and move the disposable cassette into proper operational alignment. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, the controller programmed to cause the pump head to contact the flexible portion before the disposable cassette is locked for fluid pumping. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, which includes a plurality of flexible portions of the disposable cassette and a plurality of pump heads operable with the flexible portions, the controller configured to command the pump heads to contact the respective flexible portions to move the disposable cassette into proper operational alignment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, which is further configured to determine that the disposable cassette has an integrity problem based on a sensed resistance applied by the flexible portion to the pump head. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the treatment is selected from the group consisting of: continuous flow peritoneal dialysis, tidal flow peritoneal dialysis, automated peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis and hemofiltration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the pump actuator includes a pump spring that is moved via positive or negative pressure.