Automated peritoneal dialysis system and process with in-line sterilization of dialysate

• Main Authors: SHIMON JEFFREY J, PEABODY ALAN M, JENSEN JOEL FREDERIC
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 06.07.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; CHEMISTRY; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METALLURGY; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; SEPARATION; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE

An automated peritoneal dialysis system for performing continuous peritoneal dialysis is disclosed which includes a fluid circuit for delivering unsterilized dialysate from an uninterrupted supply, and a dialysate sterilization component having at least one in-line sterilization filter assembly disposed in the inflow line segment for realtime sterilization of the unsterilized dialysate during flow prior to patient delivery. A filter test component is operatively associated with the sterilization filter assembly for conducting a realtime integrity test on the filter assembly to test for a filter failure which would allow contaminants into the dialysate prior to patient delivery. If the filter fails the test, the fluid is discarded. In this manner, sterilization of fluid in realtime during a peritoneal dialysis process provides a high rate of dialysate exchange during repeated dialysate fill and drain cycles.