PERITONEAL DIALYSIS SYSTEM HAVING AN AIR RETURN PATIENT LINE FILTER

1 . A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system ( 10 ) comprising:

a PD machine ( 20 );

a patient line ( 50 ) extending from the PD machine ( 20 );

a filter set ( 100 ) in fluid communication with the patient line ( 50 ), the filter set ( 100 ) including an air diverting net ( 112 ) configured to divert air from PD fluid flowing through the filter set ( 100 ); and

an air return line ( 58 ) positioned to return PD fluid containing air back to the PD machine ( 20 ).

2 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the air diverting net ( 112 ) is further configured to allow fresh PD fluid to pass through the air diverting net ( 112 ).

3 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the filter set ( 100 ) further includes at least one filter membrane ( 114 ) configured to filter the fresh PD fluid that has passed through the air diverting net.

4 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the filter set ( 100 ) is configured such that used PD fluid flows tangentially along the at least one filter membrane ( 114 ).

5 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one filter membrane ( 114 ) is a sterilizing grade filter membrane or a bacteria reduction filter membrane.

6 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the PD machine ( 20 ) includes a PD fluid pump ( 24 ), and wherein the air return line ( 58 ) extends to an air return line ( 34 ) of the PD machine ( 20 ), the air return line ( 34 ) extending to an inlet of the PD fluid pump ( 24 ).

7 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the PD machine ( 20 ) includes an airtrap ( 36 ), and wherein the air return line ( 58 ) extends to an air return line ( 34 ) of the PD machine ( 20 ), the air return line ( 34 ) in fluid communication with the airtrap ( 36 ).

8 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the air return line ( 58 ) is coextruded with the patient line ( 50 ).

9 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the patient line ( 50 ) includes a patient line connector ( 56 ) for connecting to a lumen-side connector ( 104 ) of the filter set ( 100 ), and wherein the air return line ( 58 ) extends from the patient line connector ( 56 ) to the PD machine ( 20 ).

10 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 9 , wherein the lumen-side connector ( 104 ) includes a fresh PD fluid port ( 104 a ) for receiving fresh PD fluid from the patient line ( 50 ), the fresh PD fluid port ( 104 a ) including at least one opening ( 1040 ) for allowing air diverted by the air diverting net ( 112 ) to be returned to the PD machine ( 20 ) via the air return line ( 58 ).

11 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening ( 1040 ) is in fluid communication with a channel ( 104 d ) formed by the lumen-side connector ( 104 ), the channel extending so as to direct air diverted by the air diverting net ( 112 ) towards an air return port ( 56 d ) of the patient line connector ( 56 ).

12 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the patient line ( 50 ) connects to a lumen-side connector ( 104 ) of the filter set ( 100 ), and wherein the air return line ( 58 ) extends from the lumen-side connector ( 104 ) to the PD machine ( 20 ).

13 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the patient line ( 50 ) is a dual lumen patient line including a fresh PD fluid lumen ( 52 ) and a used PD fluid lumen ( 54 ), and wherein the air return line ( 58 ) is a third line extending between the filter set ( 100 ) and the PD machine ( 20 ).

14 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 13 , which includes a patient line connector ( 56 ) for connecting to a lumen-side connector ( 104 ) of the filter set ( 100 ), and wherein the fresh and used PD fluid lumens ( 52 , 54 ) are connected to the patient line connector ( 56 ).

15 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the filter set ( 100 ) includes a lumen-side connector ( 104 ), and wherein the fresh and used PD fluid lumens ( 52 , 54 ) are connected to the lumen-side connector ( 104 ).

16 . The PD system ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the filter set ( 100 ) is configured to connect directly to a patient's transfer set, or wherein the filter set ( 100 ) includes a flexible tube ( 110 ) configured to connect to the patient's transfer set.

17 . A filter set ( 100 ) comprising:

a body ( 106 ) holding at least one filter membrane ( 114 ) positioned and arranged such that fresh PD fluid flows through at least one porous wall of the at least one filter membrane ( 114 ) prior to exiting the body ( 106 );

an air diverting net ( 112 ) configured to divert air from the fresh PD fluid prior to reaching the at least one filter membrane ( 114 ); and

a fresh PD fluid port ( 104 a ) for receiving the fresh PD fluid, the fresh PD fluid port ( 104 a ) including at least one opening ( 1040 ) for allowing air diverted by the air diverting net ( 112 ) to be returned to a PD machine.

18 . The filter set ( 100 ) according to claim 17 , which includes a channel ( 104 d ) in fluid communication with the at least one opening ( 1040 ), the channel ( 104 d ) extending so as to direct air diverted by the air diverting net ( 112 ) for return to the PD machine.

19 . The filter set ( 100 ) according to claim 17 , which includes a connector ( 104 ) for connecting to a patient line connector, the air diverting net ( 112 ) provided by the connector ( 104 ).

20 . The filter set ( 100 ) according to claim 17 , which includes a connector ( 104 ) for connecting to a patient line connector, the fresh PD fluid port ( 104 a ) provided by the connector ( 104 ).

21 . The filter set ( 100 ) according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one filter membrane ( 114 ) has a tubular, capillary or flat shape.

22 . The filter set ( 100 ) according to claim 17 , which includes (i) a transfer set-side connector ( 108 ) configured to connect to a patient's transfer set, or (ii) a flexible line ( 110 ) configured to connect to the patient's transfer set.