System for remote peritoneal dialysis exchanges
A peritoneal dialysis system includes (i) a fill container, and (ii) an energizing unit that removably accepts the fill container, the energizing unit including a sterilization source so configured and arranged relative to the fill container when accepted by the energizing unit to place fluid within the fill container in a physiologically safe condition for delivery to the peritoneal cavity of a patient.
1 . A peritoneal dialysis system for providing peritoneal dialysis exchanges to peritoneal dialysis patients at a facility located outside of homes of the peritoneal dialysis patients, the peritoneal dialysis system comprising:
a plurality of patient lines, each patient line configured to provide peritoneal dialysis solution to a different peritoneal dialysis patient;
a plurality of solution tanks each containing one of a plurality of different peritoneal dialysis solutions provided at the facility, the plurality of different peritoneal dialysis solutions including varying chemical concentrations for providing peritoneal dialysis exchanges for the peritoneal dialysis patients, the plurality of solution tanks each connected to the plurality of patient lines via respective dispensers, each dispenser including at least:
a pressure regulator configured to reduce a pressure of the peritoneal dialysis solution from the respective solution tank before the peritoneal dialysis solution reaches the respective patient line,
a fill valve located downstream from the pressure regulator, and
a metering device located downstream from the fill valve, an output from the metering device causing the fill valve to close when the peritoneal dialysis solution reaches a predetermined volume within the metering device;
a prescription for a peritoneal dialysis patient of the peritoneal dialysis patients, the prescription including information concerning a treatment prescribed for the peritoneal dialysis patient including the predetermined volume;
at least one computer located at the facility, the at least one computer configured to select one of the peritoneal dialysis solutions according to the prescription for the peritoneal dialysis patient; and
a patient station provided at the facility for the peritoneal dialysis patient to perform a peritoneal dialysis exchange according to the prescription, using one of the plurality of patient lines connected to the solution tank comprising the selected peritoneal dialysis solution.
2 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the peritoneal dialysis exchange is a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (“CAPD”) exchange.
3 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one computer is configured to retrieve the prescription for the peritoneal dialysis patient from a computer readable medium carried by the peritoneal dialysis patient.
4 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one computer is configured to communicate with a hospital or clinic issuing the prescription for the peritoneal dialysis patient.
5 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one computer is configured to send data from the facility to a hospital or clinic.
6 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one computer is configured to verify information concerning the prescription for the peritoneal dialysis patient.
7 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , further comprising a disposable set provided at the facility for the peritoneal dialysis patient to perform the peritoneal dialysis exchange.
8 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 7 , wherein the disposable set is configured to be recyclable and/or reusable after the peritoneal dialysis exchange.
9 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of solution tanks comprises different dextrose or glucose level peritoneal dialysis solutions.
10 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the selected peritoneal dialysis solution is prepared on demand and includes purified water and powdered additives dissolved in the purified water.
11 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the facility further includes a sterilizing unit for sterilizing a CAPD set for use with one of the plurality of solution tanks.
12 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 11 , wherein the sterilizing unit includes a plurality of ultraviolet (“UV”) lights.
13 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 11 , wherein the sterilizing unit is located at the patient station.
14 . The peritoneal dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the patient station is selected from a plurality of patient stations provided at the facility.