Fluid processing apparatus

1. A machine adapted to releasably receive a cartridge in which dialysis is effected, said machine comprising:

a fluid circuit for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in the hemodialysis, the machine being operable to maintain in a sterile condition residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment, wherein said fluid circuit recycles residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment in a closed loop circuit through a sterilizer when the machine is not performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, thus maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition;

a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply;

a sterile water outlet for supplying water to the cartridge, wherein said sterilizer sterilizes water as it flows from said water inlet to said sterile water outlet; and

two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, adapted to receive and hold the cartridge, and

wherein the sterile water outlet comprises an outlet valve in one of said platens which, when in a first position, presents a flush surface with said one platen and prevents water from exiting the sterile outlet and, when in a second position, an outlet is formed in the face of said one platen allowing the sterile water to pass therethrough into the cartridge.

2. A machine according to claim 1 , wherein the sterilizer comprises a heater for heating the water to an elevated temperature at which at least micro-organisms and bacteria within the water are destroyed.

3. A machine according to claim 2 , wherein said machine is provided with a heat exchanger to cool the water, prior to its supply to the cartridge, to substantially human body temperature.

4. A machine adapted to releasably receive a cartridge in which dialysis is effected, said machine comprising:

a fluid circuit for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in the hemodialysis, the machine being operable to maintain in a sterile condition residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment, wherein said fluid circuit recycles residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment in a closed loop circuit through a sterilizer when the machine is not performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, thus maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition;

a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply;

a sterile water outlet for supplying water to the cartridge, wherein said sterilizer sterilizes water as it flows from said water inlet to said sterile water outlet; and

two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, adapted to receive and hold the cartridge, and

wherein the sterile water outlet is located in one of the platens and, when a cartridge is not between said platens, the platens sealingly engage against one another such that the water exits said sterile water outlet and is circulated through the platens and through the sterilizer in said closed loop within said machine, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

5. An apparatus for performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, the apparatus comprising:

a) a cartridge in which dialysis is effected, the cartridge being connectable by tubing to the patient's blood circulatory system;

b) a machine, to which the cartridge is releasably connectable, for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in the hemodialysis, the machine being operable to maintain in a sterile condition residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment;

wherein the machine has a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply, and a sterile water outlet for attachment to the cartridge;

wherein said machine is provided with a sterilizer for sterilizing water as it flows from said water inlet to said sterile water outlet;

wherein the machine comprises two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use, and

wherein the sterile water outlet comprises an outlet valve which, when said outlet valve is in a closed position, presents a flush surface with one of said platens and prevents water from exiting the sterile outlet and, when said outlet valve is in an open position, an outlet is formed in the face of said one platen allowing the sterile water to pass therethrough into the cartridge.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the sterilizer comprises a heater for heating the water to an elevated temperature at which at least micro-organisms and bacteria within the water are killed.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein, subsequent to heating the water to sterilize it, said apparatus is provided with a heat exchanger to cool the water to substantially human body temperature.

8. An apparatus for performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, the apparatus comprising:

a) a cartridge in which dialysis is effected, the cartridge being connectable by tubing to the patient's blood circulatory system;

b) a machine, to which the cartridge is releasably connectable, for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in the hemodialysis, the machine being operable to maintain in a sterile condition residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment;

wherein the machine has a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply, and a sterile water outlet for attachment to the cartridge;

wherein said machine is provided with a sterilizer for sterilizing water as it flows from said water inlet to said sterile water outlet;

wherein said apparatus recycles residual water contained therein after completion of a hemodialysis treatment in a closed loop circuit through the sterilizer when the apparatus is not performing hemodialysis of a patient's blood, thus maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition;

wherein the machine comprises two platens, at least one of which is movable in relation to the other, in between which the cartridge is held during use, and

wherein the sterile water outlet is located in one of the platens and, when the cartridge is not connected to said machine, the platens sealingly engage against one another such that the water exits said sterile water outlet and is circulated through the platens and through the sterilizer in a closed loop within said machine, thereby maintaining the residual water in a sterile condition.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the cartridge in which dialysis is effected is disposable and is provided with at least one connector for connection to a fluid additive supply whereby an additive is supplied directly to said cartridge for admixture to the sterile water thereby forming dialysate solution, said dialysate solution contacting only the disposable cartridge of the apparatus.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 to wherein the cartridge in which dialysis is effected has contained within said cartridge, fluid additives for admixture to the sterile water to form dialysate solution.