Stacked sorbent assembly
A stacked sorbent assembly for use in sorbent dialysis. The stacked sorbent assembly contains two or more interchangeable sorbent pouches that allow for fluid to freely pass into and through the sorbent materials, while keeping the sorbent materials inside the sorbent pouches. Any of the pouches in the sorbent cartridge can be reused and/or recharged.
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
placing at least a first sorbent pouch in a sorbent cartridge;
wherein the first sorbent pouch is formed from a porous material; wherein the first sorbent pouch contains urease and the porous material allows fluid to pass through the first sorbent pouch;
wherein the porous material retains at least 98% by weight of solid urease in the first sorbent pouch; and
wherein the porous material allows dissolved urease to pass through the first sorbent pouch.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing at least a second sorbent pouch in the sorbent cartridge; wherein the second sorbent pouch contains alumina.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of placing a third sorbent pouch in the sorbent cartridge; the second sorbent pouch containing at least one sorbent material selected from a group consisting of: activated carbon, zirconium phosphate, and zirconium oxide.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of placing a third sorbent pouch in the sorbent cartridge; the second sorbent pouch containing zirconium phosphate.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the third sorbent pouch is placed downstream of the second sorbent pouch.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first sorbent pouch further contains alumina.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing a second sorbent pouch in the sorbent cartridge; the second sorbent pouch containing at least one sorbent material selected from a group consisting of: activated carbon, zirconium phosphate, and zirconium oxide.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing a second sorbent pouch in the sorbent cartridge; the second sorbent pouch containing zirconium phosphate.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second sorbent pouch is placed downstream of the first sorbent pouch.
10. A method, comprising the steps of:
flowing dialysate through a sorbent cartridge during a dialysis session;
the sorbent cartridge comprising at least a first sorbent pouch; wherein the first sorbent pouch is formed from a porous material; wherein the first sorbent pouch contains urease; and wherein the porous material allows fluid to pass through the first sorbent pouch;
wherein the porous material retains at least 98% by weight of solid urease in the first sorbent pouch; and
wherein the porous material allows dissolved urease to pass through the first sorbent pouch.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the sorbent cartridge contains at least a second sorbent pouch; wherein the second sorbent pouch contains alumina.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sorbent cartridge contains at least a third sorbent pouch; wherein the third sorbent pouch contains at least one sorbent material selected from a group consisting of: activated carbon, zirconium phosphate, and zirconium oxide.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first sorbent pouch further contains alumina.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the sorbent cartridge contains at least a second sorbent pouch; the second sorbent pouch containing at least one sorbent material selected from a group consisting of: activated carbon, zirconium phosphate, and zirconium oxide.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of measuring a concentration of at least one solute in a dialysate downstream of the sorbent cartridge.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one solute comprises urea or ammonia.