Patent ID: 6264680
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: A61M,A61P

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in whole body hyperthermia treatment of a patient, comprising:a high-flow hyperthermia circuit equipped to circulate blood therethrough at a rate of at least 1500 ml/min, said high-flow hyperthermia circuit including a blood access line for drawing blood from a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger for heating the blood to a temperature of at least 40.degree. C., and a blood return line for returning the blood to the patient after heating in the heat exchanger;a low-flow dialysis circuit equipped to circulate blood therethrough at a rate of 200 to 800 ml/min, said low-flow dialysis circuit being coupled to the hyperthermia circuit and effective to divert from said hyperthermia circuit a portion of the blood circulating therein, said low-flow dialysis circuit including:a blood inflow line having a first end connected to the hyperthermia circuit, for diverting blood into said dialysis circuit from said hyperthermia circuit;a dialyzer having a blood side and a sorbent side separated by dialysis membranes, said membranes being compliantly formed;means for applying alternating negative pressure and positive pressure on said sorbent side of said dialyzer;a blood inlet to said blood side of said dialyzer, a second end of said blood inflow line being connected to said blood inlet; a blood outlet from said blood side of said dialyzer;a blood outflow line having a first end connected to said blood outlet, and a second end connected to said hyperthermia circuit;a sorbent circuit for circulating a sorbent suspension through said sorbent side of said dialyzer; andwherein said apparatus is configured such that during operation of said high-flow hyperthermia circuit and said low-flow dialysis circuit, said dialyzer membranes expand and compress in response to said alternating negative pressure and positive pressure on said sorbent side of said dialyzer, so as to circulate and agitate a sorbent suspension in said sorbent side whereby effective mixing of said sorbent suspension is maintained.