# US 8,540,875 B2 · System for use in a dialysis apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,875 B2 - Document ID: US8540875B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/630,314 - Filed: 2012-09-28 - Published: 2013-02-14 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-25 - Assignees: Fresenius Medical Care Holding, Inc. - Applicants: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Roland Levin; Wayne Raiford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540875B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/1658: {Degasification} - A61M 1/1666: {by dissolving solids} - A61M 1/167: {Flexible packaging for solid concentrates} - 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 An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for use in a dialysis apparatus, the system comprising: a fluid source; at least one line adapted to allow the passage of fluid, the hydraulic line having a first end in fluid communication with the fluid source and a second end in fluid communication with a drain; an inlet pump disposed along the hydraulic line and in fluid communication with the fluid source; a container containing a powdered salt concentrate, the container having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to receive fluid from the inlet pump, and the outlet adapted to pass a solution of the fluid and the salt concentrate; a valve disposed between the inlet pump and the container and downstream from the inlet pump and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line, the valve being disposed to selectively divert fluid flow from the hydraulic line to the inlet of the container; a pressure sensor disposed to monitor pressure in the container; the outlet of the container in fluid communication with the hydraulic line downstream from the bypass valve; and a controller configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to pressure data provided from the pressure sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an air sensor disposed to detect gases in the solution, the controller being configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to solution gas data from the air sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an outlet pump located downstream from the outlet of the container and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising second valve downstream the container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an air separation chamber having an inlet, an outlet, wherein the inlet of the air separation chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet of the container and the outlet of the air separation chamber is in fluid communication with the hydraulic line downstream from the bypass valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 further comprising an outlet pump located downstream from the outlet of the container and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line, wherein the outlet pump is in fluid connection with the outlet of the air separation chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein the air separation chamber further comprises a vent, and the system comprises a vent line in fluid connection with the vent and with the hydraulic line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 further comprising an air sensor disposed to detect gases in the solution, the air sensor being in communication with the air separation chamber, and the controller being configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to solution gas data from the air sensor. ### Claim 9 A system for use in a dialysis apparatus, the system comprising: a fluid source; at least one line adapted to allow the passage of fluid, the hydraulic line having a first end in fluid communication with the fluid source and a second end in fluid communication with a drain; an inlet pump disposed along the hydraulic line and in fluid communication with the fluid source; a container containing a powdered salt concentrate, the container having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to receive fluid from the inlet pump, and the outlet adapted to pass a solution of the fluid and the salt concentrate; a valve disposed downstream from the inlet pump and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line, the valve being disposed to selectively divert fluid flow from the hydraulic line to the inlet of the container; a pressure sensor disposed to monitor pressure in the container; the outlet of the container in fluid communication with the hydraulic line downstream from the bypass valve; an air separation chamber having an inlet, an outlet, wherein the inlet of the air separation chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet of the container and the outlet of the air separation chamber is in fluid communication with the hydraulic line downstream from the bypass valve; and a controller configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to pressure data provided from the pressure sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising an outlet pump located downstream from the outlet of the container and in fluid communication with the hydraulic line, wherein the outlet pump is in fluid connection with the outlet of the air separation chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein the air separation chamber further comprises a vent, and the system comprises a vent line in fluid connection with the vent and with the hydraulic line. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising an air sensor disposed to detect gases in the solution, the air sensor being in communication with the air separation chamber, and the controller being configured to control operation of at least one of the inlet pump and the valve in response to solution gas data from the air sensor.