Cartridge holder for a dialyzing machine

Details Cartridge holder for a dialyzing machine Cartridge holder for a dialyzing machine

2000-05-24

2001-08-21

Kim, John (Department: 1723)

Liquid purification or separation

Convertible

Filter having selectively usable flow connector means

C210S232000, C210S239000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06277277

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cartridge holder for a dialyzing machine designed for fastening and connecting a cartridge which contains a filter or a dialyzer.
Dialyzing machines need at least one filter for fine filtering a haemodialysis solution before said solution is fed to the dialyzer. Said filter is normally configured as a hollow fibre filter contained in a cartridge. The cartridge comprises two axial connecting studs located at opposite ends, which connecting studs are connected to the supply line, and two connecting studs laterally projecting from the cylindrical cartridge body, which connecting studs are interconnected and form the filtrate outlet leading to the dialyzer. Said dialyzer also comprises hollow fibres arranged in a cartridge. The dialysate path leads through two connecting studs laterally projecting from the cartridge body, and the blood path leads axially through the cartridge. Normally the filter cartridge and the dialyzer cartridge are connected with corresponding hose lines of the dialyzing machine. Since the filter and the dialyzer require a total of eight connections it may happen that hose lines are incorrectly connected which may have fatal consequences. Further, change of the filter or the dialyzer involves relatively great efforts.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge holder for a dialyzing machine, the cartridge holder facilitating connection of a cartridge to the dialyzing machine and precluding incorrect connections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cartridge holder according to the invention comprises on the one hand a holding element retaining the cartridge in a defined position and on the other hand a clamping element sealingly connecting two connecting members with the lateral connecting studs of the cartridge when brought from an open position into the closed position. In the case of the cartridge holder according to the invention it is thus no longer necessary to push hose lines individually onto the connecting branches of the cartridge. The cartridge is rather retained by the holding element and the connections are simultaneously produced by the clamping element. Thus the cartridge needs only to be inserted into the cartridge holder, and subsequently the clamping element must be actuated. Manipulation of the connecting studs of the cartridge is no longer required. Further, there is no danger of confusing the lines since the lines are permanently fixed to the corresponding connecting members of the cartridge holder in the works and the user needs not to manipulate the lines at all.
The invention is suitable for both cartridge holders for filter cartridges and cartridge holders for dialyzer cartridges. However, in both cases the cartridge sizes may vary from each other but the connection principle is in both cases substantially the same. Filter cartridges and dialyzer cartridges differ from each other in that filter cartridges comprise four identical connecting studs whereas in dialyzer cartridges the connecting studs for the blood circulation are configured in a different way as compared with those for the haemodialysis solution. According to the invention the two lateral connecting studs of the cartridge are simultaneously connected with the corresponding connecting members via a closing action effected by an automatic connecting device. Here, the ends of the connecting studs are pushed into sealing rings of the connecting members.
The holding element retaining the cartridge during the coupling process and in the coupled condition preferably comprises holding openings for engaging with the connecting studs of the cartridge. Said holding openings are configured as keyhole openings and they are designed such that their edges protrude into grooves provided in the connecting studs of the cartridge so as to protect the cartridge against being pulled out. The cartridge is removed by being shifted inside the keyhole opening until the the connecting studs reach the wider head area of the keyhole opening from where they can be pulled out.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the clamping element is movable via a swivel bar articulated to the holding element, which swivel bar locks the inserted cartridge in its closed position. The swivel bar protects the cartridge from being unintentionally pulled out of the cartridge holder as well as against any other movement of the cartridge.
The cartridge holder may be configured such that it does not only make the connection with the lateral connecting studs of the cartridge but also the connection with the axial connecting studs. For this purpose a connecting member for an axial connecting stud is appropriately integrated in the swivel bar. When the swivel bar is closed the axial connecting member sealingly engages with the corresponding connecting stud of the cartridge. At the opposite end of the cartridge a supporting device is provided which comprises another connecting member for an axial connecting stud of the cartridge.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5641144 (1997-06-01), Hendrickson et al.
patent: 5770064 (1998-06-01), Jonsson et al.
patent: 6050278 (2000-04-01), Arnal et al.

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