IP Library Granted Patent US 10,258,731
Granted Patent B2
US 10,258,731 · App. 15/055,857 · Granted Apr 16, 2019

Manifold diaphragms

Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson (Longmont, CO); Alec Huang (Irvine, CA); Brian Thomas Kelly (Anaheim Hills, CA)
Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
A61M1/3656A61M1/16A61M1/166A61M1/1609A61M1/1645A61M1/1692A61M1/1696A61M1/3626A61M1/3646B01D61/18B01D61/30B01D61/32A61M1/3639A61M2205/126A61M2205/13A61M2205/14A61M2205/15A61M2205/18A61M2205/3317A61M2205/3324A61M2205/3331A61M2205/3334A61M2205/3368A61M2205/3375A61M2205/3393A61M2205/3553A61M2205/3584A61M2205/502A61M2205/505A61M2205/52B01D2313/10B01D2313/105B01D2313/12B01D2313/125B01D2313/243
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,258,731
App. No.
15/055,857
Granted
Apr 16, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.

Claims (21)

1. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine having a controller, sensor component, a reservoir and a dialyzer;

a disposable monolithic manifold in fluid communication with the reservoir and dialyzer, wherein the disposable monolithic manifold has a diaphragm integrated therein and is adapted for installation in the dialysis machine, wherein the diaphragm is adapted to be compressed by the sensor component located within the dialysis machine and external to the disposable manifold, and wherein the diaphragm comprises: a convex exterior surface protruding outward from the manifold and fixedly attached to the manifold at a first end and at a second end, wherein a distance between the first end and second end defines a length and height of the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm at the first end and second end has the same height as the manifold, wherein the height of the convex exterior surface increases from the first end to a first height relative to the manifold, and wherein the height of the convex exterior surface decreases from the first height to the second end.

2. The dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the first height of the diaphragm is between 0.03 and 0.04 inches relative to the manifold.

3. The dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm has a thickness along the length from the first end to the second end and wherein the thickness is substantially constant along the length.

4. The dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the diaphragm is between 0.03 and 0.04 inches.

5. The dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein a total length of the diaphragm is between 0.625 and 0.675 inches.

6. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine having a controller, a sensor component, a reservoir and a dialyzer;

a disposable monolithic manifold having a diaphragm integrated therein and adapted for installation in the dialysis machine, wherein the diaphragm has a substantially planar periphery and a raised convex protrusion, wherein the convex protrusion is centrally located within the substantially planar periphery, wherein the periphery has a height equal to a height of an external surface of the manifold, wherein the convex protrusion has a height greater than the height of the planar periphery, wherein the convex protrusion represents a surface area ranging from 10% to 40% of a total surface area of the diaphragm and wherein the convex protrusion is adapted to be compressed by the sensor components located within the dialysis machine and external to the manifold.

7. The dialysis system of claim 6 wherein the diaphragm has a length ranging from 0.625 inches to 0.675 inches.

8. The dialysis system of claim 6 wherein the convex protrusion has a height ranging from 0.03 inches to 0.04 inches.

9. The dialysis system of claim 6 wherein the raised convex protrusion represents a surface area ranging from 19% to 23% of a total surface area of the diaphragm.

10. A dialysis system comprising:

a dialysis machine having a controller, a sensor component, a reservoir and a dialyzer;

a disposable monolithic manifold having a diaphragm integrated therein and adapted for installation in the dialysis machine, wherein the diaphragm comprises a convex periphery having a first height which is greater than a height of an external surface of the manifold and a raised convex protrusion located in a center of the diaphragm adapted to contact, and be compressed by, the sensor component, wherein the convex protrusion is located within the convex periphery, wherein the convex protrusion has a second height greater than the first height.

11. The dialysis system of claim 10 wherein the diaphragm has a length ranging from 0.625 inches to 0.675 inches.

12. The dialysis system of claim 10 wherein the convex protrusion has a height ranging from 0.03 inches to 0.04 inches.

13. The dialysis system of claim 10 wherein the convex protrusion has a height ranging from 0.1 inches to 0.02 inches above a plurality inflection points on each side of the periphery, the inflection points defining an end of the periphery and a beginning of the protrusion.

14. The dialysis system of claim 10 wherein the periphery has a height of 0.02 inches with respect to the manifold external surface.

15. The dialysis system of claim 10 wherein a thickness of the diaphragm is constant throughout a surface area of the diaphragm, wherein the thickness ranges from 0.03 inches to 0.04 inches.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2017
From: FULKERSON, BARRY NEIL; HUANG, ALEC; KELLY, BRIAN THOMAS
To: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041802/0609 →
Continuity (28)
Continuation 13852918 · Mar 28, 2013
Continuation In Part 13023490 · Feb 8, 2011
Continuation In Part 12237914 · Sep 25, 2008
Continuation In Part 12610032 · Oct 30, 2009
Continuation In Part 12324924 · Nov 28, 2008
Continuation In Part 12249090 · Oct 10, 2008
Continuation In Part 12575449 · Oct 7, 2009
Continuation In Part 12751930 · Mar 31, 2010
Continuation In Part 12705054 · Feb 12, 2010
Continuation In Part 12875888 · Sep 3, 2010
Division 12238055 · Sep 25, 2008
Continuation In Part 12210080 · Sep 12, 2008
Continuation In Part 12351969 · Jan 12, 2009
Continuation In Part 12713447 · Feb 26, 2010
Continuation In Part 12575450 · Oct 7, 2009
Provisional Application 60975157 · Sep 25, 2007
Provisional Application 61109834 · Oct 30, 2008
Provisional Application 60990959 · Nov 29, 2007
Provisional Application 61021962 · Jan 18, 2008
Provisional Application 60979113 · Oct 11, 2007
Provisional Application 61103271 · Oct 7, 2008
Provisional Application 61165389 · Mar 31, 2009
Provisional Application 61151912 · Feb 12, 2009
Provisional Application 60975840 · Sep 28, 2007
Provisional Application 60971937 · Sep 13, 2007
Provisional Application 61155548 · Feb 26, 2009
Provisional Application 61103274 · Oct 7, 2008
Related Publication 20170021088A1 · Jan 26, 2017