초록 ▼

A medical fluid machine, such as a dialysis machine, includes a pump that pumps a medical fluid and sterile water or other disinfecting liquid, such as ozonated water, for flushing and reconditioning the medical fluid machine. The machine may also include a heater that heats the medical fluid or dis

A medical fluid machine, such as a dialysis machine, includes a pump that pumps a medical fluid and sterile water or other disinfecting liquid, such as ozonated water, for flushing and reconditioning the medical fluid machine. The machine may also include a heater that heats the medical fluid or disinfecting solution in order to kill bacteria and other microorganisms that may contaminate the machine after use. Disinfecting the machine, and a disposable kit used with the machine, may allow re-use of the disposable within a reasonable amount of time after completion of the disinfecting procedure. Dialysate treated with ultra-violet light or water with low concentrations of ozone also helps make the disposable kits suitable for reuse.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for extending use of a disposable kit of a dialysis system, the method comprising: providing a disposable kit for use in a dialysis system; providing dialysis for a patient, by circulating dialysis solution through the disposable kit from at least one supply line for

What is claimed is: 1. A method for extending use of a disposable kit of a dialysis system, the method comprising: providing a disposable kit for use in a dialysis system; providing dialysis for a patient, by circulating dialysis solution through the disposable kit from at least one supply line for dialysate solution to a patient output line and back from the patient through a recirculation line, at least one of the lines running through the disposable kit; connecting the patient output line to the recirculation line; generating ozone to prepare a disinfecting solution; flushing the disinfecting solution through the patient output line and recirculation line; flushing the disinfecting solution through a pump and the at least one supply line for dialysate solution; draining the disinfecting solution from the disposable kit before a subsequent use of the disposable kit; and rinsing the disposable kit, including the at least one supply line, the pump, the patient output line and the recirculation line with sterile water before a subsequent use of the disposable kit, wherein one of the steps of flushing includes vaporizing a portion of the disinfecting solution. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the disinfecting solution to a temperature of at least 25 to 50° C. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein water used for the disinfecting solution is sterile water produced via distillation or reverse osmosis. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising cooling the water used for the disinfecting solution to a temperature between 0 and 20° C. before or after the step of generating ozone and before the steps of flushing. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising alternating between a high pressure and a low pressure within the disposable kit during the steps of flushing. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the disinfecting solution is heated by an in-line heater to a temperature of at least 37° C. and optionally between 40 and 50° C. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing a disinfecting solution with ozone and flushing the disinfecting solution through the disposable kit before a first step of providing dialysis for the patient. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein water used for the disinfecting solution is sterile water with low conductivity. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising recirculating the disinfecting solution through the disposable kit. 10. A method for extending use of a cassette for a dialysis system, the method comprising: providing a disposable kit for use in a dialysis system; connecting an output line of the kit to a recirculation line of the kit; generating ozone to prepare a disinfecting solution; flushing the disinfecting solution through a supply line into the kit; flushing the disinfecting solution through a pump, the output line, and the recirculation line, wherein the disinfecting solution is subjected to pressure cycles while being pumped, thus vaporizing at least a portion of the ozone in the disinfecting solution; draining the disinfecting solution from the disposable kit before a subsequent use of the disposable kit; and rinsing the disposable kit, including the supply line, the pump, the output line and the recirculation line before a subsequent use of the disposable kit. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising heating the disinfecting solution to a temperature of at least 25° C. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising cooling water used for the disinfecting solution to a temperature between 0 and 20° C. before or after the step of generating ozone. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein water used for the disinfecting solution has a conductivity of less than 50 microSiemens. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising preparing a disinfecting solution with ozone and flushing the disinfecting solution through the disposable kit before a first step of providing dialysis for the patient.