Abstract:
An intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device injects a dialysate accommodated in a dialysate container into a live animal via an input duct, elicits a waste liquid from the animal via an output duct, and concentrates the waste liquid in a waste liquid container. A flow direction control valve controls the flow direction of the dialysate and the waste liquid during the overall peritoneal dialysis treatment process.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device, and more particularly to a peritoneal dialysis device performing peritoneal dialysis on animals. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventional peritoneal dialysis devices are designed for humans. The same peritoneal dialysis duct delivers dialysate into a human body and drains waste liquid from the human body. Hence, the dialysate and the waste liquid alternatively pass through the same peritoneal dialysis duct. Moreover, the peritoneal dialysis duct has a fixed length and can hold 0.1 liter of liquid volume. 
         [0005]    A peritoneal cavity of an adult may readily accommodate two liters of dialysate. When two liters of dialysate are delivered through the peritoneal dialysis duct after two liters of waste liquid are drained via the peritoneal dialysis duct, the initial 0.1 liter of dialysate flowing through the peritoneal dialysis duct is used to clean the peritoneal dialysis duct. The remainder of the 1.9 liters of dialysate lowers the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis after having been injected into the human body. Therefore, the dialysis efficiency of conventional peritoneal dialysis devices for the human body is 95%. 
         [0006]    Since a peritoneal cavity of an animal merely accommodates 0.5 liter of dialysate, when 0.5 liter of dialysate flows through the peritoneal dialysis duct after 0.5 liter of waste liquid flows through the peritoneal dialysis duct, the initial 0.1 liter of dialysate flowing through the peritoneal dialysis duct is used to clean the peritoneal dialysis duct and the remaining 0.4 liter of dialysate lowers the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis after having been injected into the animal. Therefore, when a conventional peritoneal dialysis device designed for the human body is applied to an animal, the dialysis efficiency is 80%. As the peritoneal cavity may accommodate less dialysate if the animal is smaller, dialysis efficiency may be further lowered. 
         [0007]    Additionally, more and more waste liquid will accumulate in the body and cause patient discomfort when the peritoneal dialysis duct of a conventional peritoneal dialysis device is restricted such that the waste liquid cannot be smoothly drained from the body while the dialysate keeps flowing into the body. Under this condition, if the conventional peritoneal dialysis device is applied to the human, the patient himself may forcibly interrupt the operation of the peritoneal dialysis device by manual regulation to stop the dialysate from being delivered into the body. However, when a conventional peritoneal dialysis device is applied to an animal and obstruction is encountered, the animal itself cannot interfere in the operation of the peritoneal dialysis device by manual regulation to stop the dialysate from being delivered into the body. Hence, more and more waste liquid will accumulate in an animal resulting in death. 
         [0008]    A need therefore exists for dialysis devices with improved efficiency and the capability of automatically troubleshooting. A particular need exists for such improved dialysis devices which can perform intelligently and automatically, and solve the problems mentioned above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An aspect of the present disclosure is an intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device having a first duct and a second duct such that a dialysate and a waste liquid flow through different ducts, respectively, thereby improving dialysis efficiency. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is an intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device having a flow direction control valve and a plurality of monitoring devices such that the dialysis device may automatically control the flow direction of the dialysate and the waste liquid when a fault occurs, without external intervention. Hence, embodiments of the present disclosure may effectively solve the previously described problems. 
         [0011]    Additional aspects and other features of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from the practice of the present disclosure. The advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device structured to inject a dialysate accommodated in a dialysate container into a live animal, elicit a waste liquid from the animal, and concentrate the waste liquid in a waste liquid container. Embodiments include an intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis comprising: a flow direction control valve used to control the flow direction of the dialysate and the waste liquid, the flow direction control valve having a first valve, a second valve and a third valve; an input duct connected to the dialysate container and the first valve, the input duct causing the dialysate to flow from the dialysate container into the flow direction control valve; an output duct connected to the waste liquid container and the second valve, the output duct causing the waste liquid to flow from the flow direction control valve into the waste liquid container; a communication duct connected to the input duct and the output duct, wherein the third valve is disposed in the communication duct; a first duct connected to the first valve and the animal; and a second duct connected to the second valve and the animal. 
         [0013]    Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide methods of operating a previously described intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method comprising: (a) opening the first valve and the second valve while closing the third valve; (b) causing the dialysate from the dialysate container to flow through the input duct, the first valve and the first duct, and be injected into the animal; and (c) causing the waste liquid from the animal to flow through the second duct, the second valve and the output duct, and be injected into the waste liquid container. 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a method comprising: (a) closing the first valve while opening the second valve and the third valve; (b) causing the dialysate from the dialysate container to flow through the input duct, the communication duct, the third valve, the second valve and the second duct, and be injected into the animal; (c) opening the first valve and the third valve while closing the second valve; and (d) causing the waste liquid from the animal to flow through the first duct, the first valve, the communication duct, the third valve and the output duct and be injected into the waste liquid container. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method comprising: (a) opening the first valve while closing the second valve and the third valve; (b) causing the dialysate from the dialysate container to flow through the input duct, the first valve and the first duct, and be injected into the animal; (c) opening the first valve, the second valve and the third valve; and (d) causing the waste liquid from the animal to flow through the first duct, the first valve, the communication duct, the third valve and the output duct, and be injected into the waste liquid container while at the same time, the waste liquid from the animal may also flow through the second duct, the second valve and the output duct and be injected into the waste liquid container. 
         [0016]    Embodiments of the present disclosure additionally provide a method comprising: (a) closing the first valve while opening the second valve and the third valve; (b) causing the dialysate from the dialysate container to flow through the input duct, the third valve, the second valve and the second duct, and be injected into the animal; (c) opening the first valve, the second valve and the third valve; and (d) causing the waste liquid from the animal to flow through the first duct, the first valve, the communication duct, the third valve and the output duct, and be injected into the waste liquid container while at the same time, the waste liquid from the animal also flow through the second duct, the second valve and the output duct and be injected into the waste liquid container. 
         [0017]    Intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure include first and second ducts such that the dialysate and the waste liquid pass through different ducts, respectively, thereby improving dialysis efficiency. Additionally, intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure include a flow direction control valve and a plurality of monitoring devices such the flow direction of the dialysate and the waste liquid are automatically controlled should a fault occur. 
         [0018]    Additional aspects and technical effects of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description wherein embodiments of the present disclosure are described simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated to carry out the present disclosure. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawing and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a dialysis device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2 and 2A  schematically illustrate flow charts of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  illustrate flow charts of a another method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4 and 4A  illustrate flow charts of a further method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  illustrate flow charts of another method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments. It should be apparent, however, that exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring exemplary embodiments. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, ratios, and numerical properties of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” 
         [0026]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis devices which are widely applicable to the dialysis treatment of all kinds of animals. In addition, related combinations of implementation methods are numerous. Therefore, specific disclosed embodiment are merely exemplarily and not intended as all inclusive of other combinations. 
         [0027]    The intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device  1  schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be employed to inject a dialysate f 1 , accommodated in a dialysate container  2 , into a live animal  3 , elicit a waste liquid f 2  from the animal  3 , and concentrate the waste liquid f 2  in a waste liquid container  4 . The intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device  1  comprises a flow direction control valve  11 , an input duct  12 , an output duct  13 , a communication duct  14 , a first duct  15   a , a second duct  15   b , a first motor  16   a , a second motor  16   b , a first pressure sensor  17   a , a second pressure sensor  17   b , a flow sensor  18 , a first air sensor  19   a , a second air sensor  19   b  and a Y-type duct joint  10 . 
         [0028]    The flow direction control valve  11  may comprise a first valve  111 , a second valve  112  and a third valve  113 . The third valve  113  may be disposed in the communication duct  14 . The flow direction control valve  11  is used to control the flow direction of the dialysate f 1  and waste liquid f 2 . The first valve  111 , the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  may be turned-on and turned-off automatically or manually. The flow direction control valve  11  may be a magnetic control switch, a digital control switch or a mechanical control switch. 
         [0029]    The input duct  12  may be connected to the dialysate container  2  and the first valve  111 . The input duct  12  may be used to cause the dialysate f 1  to flow from the dialysate container  2  to the flow direction control valve  11 . 
         [0030]    The output duct  13  may be connected to the waste liquid container  4  and the second valve  112 . The output duct  13  may be used to cause the waste liquid f 2  to flow from the flow direction control valve  11  to the waste liquid container  4 . 
         [0031]    The communication duct  14  may be connected to the input duct  12  and the output duct  13 . The first duct  15   a  may be connected to the first valve  111  and the animal  3 . The second duct  15   b  may be connected to the second valve  112  and the animal  3 . 
         [0032]    The first motor  16   a  may be disposed between the dialysate container  2  and the input duct  12 . The dialysate f 1  may flow from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12  by operation of the first motor  16   a.    
         [0033]    The second motor  16   b  may be disposed between the waste liquid container  4  and the output duct  13 . The waste liquid f 2  may flow from the output duct  13  to the waste liquid container  4  by operation of the second motor  16   b.    
         [0034]    The first pressure sensor  17   a  may be disposed in the first duct  15   a . The first pressure sensor  17   a  may be used to monitor the pressure of the animal  3  so as to regulate the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  or the operation speed of the second motor  16   b.    
         [0035]    The second pressure sensor  17   b  may be disposed in the second duct  15   b . The second pressure sensor  17   b  may be used to monitor the pressure of the animal  3  so as to regulate the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  or the operation speed of the second motor  16   b.    
         [0036]    The flow sensor  18  may be disposed in the output duct  13 . The flow sensor  18  may be used to monitor the flow of the waste liquid f 2  flowing through the output duct  13  so as to regulate the operation speed of the second motor  16   b.    
         [0037]    The first air sensor  19   a  may be disposed in the input duct  12 . The first air sensor  19   a  may be used to monitor whether the dialysate f 1  flowing through the input duct  12  contains air or not. 
         [0038]    The second air sensor  19   b  may be disposed in the output duct  13 . The second air sensor  19   b  may be used to monitor whether the waste liquid f 2  flowing through the output duct  13  contains air or not. 
         [0039]    The Y-type duct joint  10  has one end connected to the first duct  15   a  and the second duct  15   b  and the other end extending into the animal  3 . 
         [0040]    The previously described flow direction control valve  11 , first motor  16   a , second motor  16   b , first pressure sensor  17   a , second pressure sensor  17   b , flow sensor  18 , first air sensor  19   a  and second air sensor  19   b  may further be connected to an electronic device (not shown) and a display device (not shown) such that the previously described sensors may deliver a monitoring signal (not shown) to the electronic device and the display device according to the monitored operating conditions so as to cause the electronic device to regulate the flow direction control valve  11 , the first motor  16   a  and the second motor  16   b  according to the monitoring signal. The electronic device may be a computer. 
         [0041]    Moreover, the display device may display the operating condition of the intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device  1  according to the monitoring signal. The display device may be a liquid crystal screen. 
         [0042]    Several operative methods in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplarily illustrated below. 
       Example 1 
       [0043]    The first valve  111  and the second valve  112  are initially opened and the third valve  113  is closed when the operation method is performed. Next, the first motor  16   a  is started such that the dialysate f 1  flows from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the first valve  111 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the Y-type duct joint  10 . The dialysate f 1  is then injected into the live animal  3 . 
         [0044]    The dialysate f 1  may remain in the animal  3  for a period of time. A diffusion exchange and an osmosis exchange take place in the animal  3  via a peritoneum of the animal  3  while the dialysate f 1  remains in the animal  3 . Therefore, waste products in the blood will pass through blood capillaries on the peritoneum and enter the dialysate f 1 . The waste liquid f 2  will be formed after a period of time. 
         [0045]    Next, the waste liquid f 2  may flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the second valve  112 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18 , and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  by gravity or by starting the second motor  16   b.    
         [0046]    The method of this example is a continuous peritoneal dialysis method, wherein the dialysate f 1  is injected into the animal  3  and the waste liquid f 2  is automatically elicited from the animal  3  after the dialysate f 1  remains in the animal  3  for a period of time. 
         [0047]    Additionally, this method is also applicable to a continuous peritoneal dialysis, wherein the dialysate f 1  is injected into the animal  3  and the waste liquid f 2  is elicited from the animal  3 , simultaneously, by starting the first motor  16   a  and the second motor  16   b  at the same time and regulating the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  and the second motor  16   b , respectively. 
         [0048]    The operation speed of the first motor  16   a  may be adjusted to be slower, the first motor  16   a  may stop or the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  may be adjusted to run faster than the first motor  16   a  when the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the second pressure sensor  17   b  monitor a high pressure that the pressure of the animal  3  such that the dialysate f 1  is injected into the animal  3  with a lower flow speed, the dialysate f 1  stops been injected into the animal  3  or the waste liquid f 2  is elicited from the animal  3  with a higher flow speed. For example, an excessively high pressure will be generated in the animal  3  such that the animal feels uncomfortable and even faces a life-threatening situation when the dialysate f 1  injected into the animal  3  is too much and the waste liquid f 2  remaining in the animal  3  is also too much. Therefore, the previously described problems may be avoided by monitoring the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the second pressure sensor  17   b.    
         [0049]    In addition, the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  will be regulated to be faster when the flow sensor  18  monitors too little flow or too low flow speed of the waste liquid f 2  passing through the output duct  13 , so as to raise the flow or the flow speed of the waste liquid f 2 . For example, non-liquid substances (for instance, adipose tissue) found in the waste liquid f 2  may cause blockage of the duct resulting in reduced flow volume or low flow speed. Another example is failure of draining waste liquid f 2  from the animal  3  using gravity, resulting in insufficient flow volume via the output duct  13  or low flow speed. Therefore, the previously described problems can be avoided by monitoring the function of the flow sensor  18 . 
         [0050]    Moreover, the first valve and the second valve are closed and the third valve is opened when the first air sensor  19   a  monitors the dialysate f 1  of the input duct  12  containing air so as to cause the air to sequentially pass through the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18 . Finally, the air will be exhausted to a region outside of the intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis device  1 . As the animal will feel uncomfortable when the dialysate f 1  injected into the animal  3  contains air, the previously described problems may be avoided by monitoring of the first air sensor  19   a.    
         [0051]    The first valve  111 , the second valve  112  and the third valve are closed and an alarm signal is delivered when the second air sensor  19   b  monitors the pressure of air in the waste liquid f 2  of the output duct  13  containing air so as to notify medical staff. For example, air may enter the animal  3  via a broken hole on the duct or an incorrect connection of the ducts when the animal bites the duct or the ducts are incorrectly connected. In such event, the animal will have a peritonitis crisis of potentially fatal consequence. Therefore, the previously described problems may be avoided by monitoring of the second air sensor  19   b.    
         [0052]    In this method, if the problems of too little flow or too low flow speed of the waste liquid f 2  are still not improved after the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  is regulated, the previously described problems may be solved by a second application example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       Example 2 
       [0053]    Initially, the first valve  111  is closed and the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened when the method is performed. Next, the first motor  16   a  is started such that the dialysate f 1  flows from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the second valve  112 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b  and the Y-type duct joint  10 . Finally, the dialysate f 1  is injected into the live animal  3 . 
         [0054]    The dialysate f 1  may remain in the animal  3  for a period of time. The diffusion exchange and the osmosis exchange may be performed in the animal  3  via the peritoneum of the animal  3  during the dialysate f 1  remaining in the animal  3 . Therefore, the waste products in the blood will pass through the blood capillaries on the peritoneum and enters the dialysate f 1 . The waste liquid f 2  will be formed after a period of time. 
         [0055]    Next, the first valve  111  and the third valve  113  are opened and the second valve  112  is closed. Then the waste liquid f 2  may flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a , the first valve  111 , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  by using the gravity head or starting the second motor  16   b.    
         [0056]    The operating modes of the first pressure sensor  17   a , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the flow sensor  18 , the first air sensor  19   a  and the second air sensor  19   b  are similar to those of the EXAMPLE 1, above and, therefore, not here repeated. 
         [0057]    The method of this example is a continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis. If the problem of too much dialysate f 1  and waste liquid f 2  in the animal  3  is still not improved after lowering the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  and increasing the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  when excessive amount of the dialysate f 1  injected in the animal  3  and excessive amount of retained the waste liquid f 2  remaining in the animal  3 , the previously described problem may be solved by a third application example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       Example 3 
       [0058]    Initially, the first valve  111  is opened and the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are closed when the method is performed. Next, the first motor  16   a  is started such that the dialysate f 1  flows from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the first valve  111 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the Y-type duct joint  10 . Finally, the dialysate f 1  is injected into the live animal  3 . 
         [0059]    The dialysate f 1  may remain in the animal  3  for a period of time. The diffusion exchange and the osmosis exchange take place in the animal  3  via the peritoneum of the animal  3  while the dialysate f 1  remains in the animal  3 . Therefore, the waste products in the blood will pass through the blood capillaries on the peritoneum and enter the dialysate f 1 . The waste liquid f 2  will be formed after a period of time. 
         [0060]    Next, the first valve  111 , the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened. Then the waste liquid f 2  may flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a , the first valve  111 , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  by gravity or by the function of the second motor  16   b . At the same time, the waste liquid f 2  can also flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the second valve  112 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4 . 
         [0061]    The operation method of the this example is a continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis. The operating modes of the first pressure sensor  17   a , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the flow sensor  18 , the first air sensor  19   a  and the second air sensor  19   b  are similar those of EXAMPLE 1 and, therefore, not here repeated. 
       Example 4 
       [0062]    Initially, the first valve  111  is closed and the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened when performing the method. Next, the first motor  16   a  is started such that the dialysate f 1  flows from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the second valve  112 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b  and the Y-type duct joint  10 . Finally, the dialysate f 1  is injected into the live animal  3 . 
         [0063]    The dialysate f 1  may remain in the animal  3  for a period of time. The diffusion exchange and the osmosis exchange take place in the animal  3  via the peritoneum of the animal  3  while the dialysate f 1  remains in the animal  3 . Therefore, the waste products in the blood will pass through the blood capillaries on the peritoneum and enter the dialysate f 1 . The waste liquid f 2  will be formed after a period of time. 
         [0064]    Next, the first valve  111 , the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened. Then the waste liquid f 2  may flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a , the first valve  111 , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  by gravity or by the function of the second motor  16   b . At the same time, the waste liquid f 2  can also flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the second valve  112 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4 . 
         [0065]    The method of this example is a continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis. The operating modes of the first pressure sensor  17   a , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the flow sensor  18 , the first air sensor  19   a  and the second air sensor  19   b  are similar to those of EXAMPLE 1 and, therefore, not here repeated. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 2 and 2A  are flow charts for the techniques disclosed in EXAMPLE 1. The indicated reference characters appear in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0067]    The first valve  111  and the second valve  112  are opened while the third valve  113  is closed (step S 100 ). 
         [0068]    The first motor  16   a  is started and the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is adjusted (step S 110 ). 
         [0069]    The dialysate f 1  is caused to flow from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the first valve  111 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the Y-type duct joint  10  and finally be injected into the live animal  3  (step S 120 ). 
         [0070]    Whether the dialysate f 1  contains air or not is determined by the first air sensor  19   a  (step S 130 ). 
         [0071]    The first valve  111  and the second valve  112  are closed and the third valve  113  is opened when the dialysate f 1  contains air (step S 140 ). 
         [0072]    The air is caused to sequentially pass through the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and then exhausted (step S 150 ). Next, step S 100  is performed again. 
         [0073]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the first pressure sensor  17   a  when the dialysate f 1  does not contain air (step S 160 ). 
         [0074]    The operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is regulated and step S 110  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0075]    The gravity head is used or the second motor  16   b  is started and the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  is regulated when the pressure in the animal  3  is normal (step S 170 ). 
         [0076]    The waste liquid f 2  is caused to flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the second valve  112 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  (step S 180 ). 
         [0077]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the second pressure sensor  17   b  (step S 190 ). 
         [0078]    The operation speed of the second air sensor  19   b  is regulated and step S 170  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0079]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  are flow charts for techniques disclosed EXAMPLE 2. The indicated reference characters appear in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0080]    The first valve  111  is closed while the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened (step S 100 ). 
         [0081]    The first motor  16   a  is started and the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is adjusted (step S 110 ). 
         [0082]    The dialysate f 1  is caused to flow from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the second valve  112 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b  and the Y-type duct joint  10  and finally be injected into the live animal  3  (step S 120 ). 
         [0083]    Whether the dialysate f 1  contains air or not is determined by the first air sensor  19   a  (step S 130 ). 
         [0084]    The first valve  111  and the second valve  112  are closed and the third valve  113  is opened when the dialysate f 1  contains air (step S 140 ). 
         [0085]    The air is caused to sequentially pass through the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and then exhausted (step S 150 ). Next, step S 100  is performed again. 
         [0086]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the second pressure sensor  17   b  when the dialysate f 1  does not contain air (step S 160 ). 
         [0087]    The operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is regulated and step S 110  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0088]    The first valve  111  and the third valve  113  are opened and the second valve  112  is closed when the pressure in the animal  3  is normal (step S 170 ). 
         [0089]    The gravity head is used or the second motor  16   b  is started and the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  is adjusted (step S 180 ). 
         [0090]    The waste liquid f 2  is caused to flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a , the first valve  111 , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  (step S 190 ). 
         [0091]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the first pressure sensor  17   a  (step S 200 ). 
         [0092]    The operation speed of the second air sensor  19   b  is adjusted and step S 180  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0093]      FIGS. 4 and 4A  are flowcharts for techniques disclosed in EXAMPLE 3. The indicated reference characters appear in FIG 1 . 
         [0094]    The first valve  111  is opened while the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are closed (step S 100 ). 
         [0095]    The first motor  16   a  is started and the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is adjusted (step S 110 ). 
         [0096]    The dialysate f 1  is caused to flow from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the first valve  111 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the Y-type duct joint  10  and finally be injected into the live animal  3  (step S 120 ). 
         [0097]    Whether the dialysate f 1  contains air or not is determined by the first air sensor  19   a  (step S 130 ). 
         [0098]    The first valve  111  and the second valve  112  are closed and the third valve  113  is opened when the dialysate f 1  contains air (step S 140 ). 
         [0099]    The air is caused to sequentially pass through the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and then exhausted (step S 150 ). Next, step S 100  is performed again. 
         [0100]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the first pressure sensor  17   a  when the dialysate f 1  does not contain air (step S 160 ). 
         [0101]    The operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is regulated and step S 110  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0102]    The first valve  111 , the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened when the pressure in the animal  3  is normal (step S 170 ). 
         [0103]    The gravity head is used or the second motor  16   b  is started and the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  is adjusted (step S 180 ). 
         [0104]    The waste liquid f 2  is caused to flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a , the first valve  111 , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4 . At the same time, the waste liquid f 2  can also flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the second valve  112 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  (step S 190 ). 
         [0105]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the second pressure sensor  17   b  (step S 200 ). 
         [0106]    The operation speed of the second air sensor  19   b  is adjusted and step S 180  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0107]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  are flow charts for techniques disclosed in EXAMPLE 4. The indicated reference characters appear in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0108]    The first valve  111  is closed while the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened (step S 100 ). 
         [0109]    The first motor  16   a  is started and the operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is adjusted (step S 110 ). 
         [0110]    The dialysate f 1  is caused to flow from the dialysate container  2  to the input duct  12 , the first air sensor  19   a , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the second valve  112 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b  and the Y-type duct joint  10  and finally be injected into the live animal  3  (step S 120 ). 
         [0111]    Whether the dialysate f 1  contains air or not is determined by the first air sensor  19   a  (step S 130 ). 
         [0112]    The first valve  111  and the second valve  112  are closed and the third valve  113  is opened when the dialysate f 1  contains air (step S 140 ). 
         [0113]    The air is caused to sequentially pass through the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and then exhausted (step S 150 ). Next, step S 100  is performed again. 
         [0114]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the second pressure sensor  17   b  when the dialysate f 1  does not contain air (step S 160 ). 
         [0115]    The operation speed of the first motor  16   a  is regulated and step S 110  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0116]    The first valve  111 , the second valve  112  and the third valve  113  are opened when the pressure in the animal  3  is normal (step S 170 ). 
         [0117]    The gravity head is used or the second motor  16   b  is started and the operation speed of the second motor  16   b  is adjusted (step S 180 ). 
         [0118]    The waste liquid f 2  is caused to flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the first duct  15   a , the first pressure sensor  17   a , the first valve  111 , the communication duct  14 , the third valve  113 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4 . At the same time, the waste liquid f 2  can also flow from the animal  3  to the Y-type duct joint  10 , the second duct  15   b , the second pressure sensor  17   b , the second valve  112 , the output duct  13 , the second air sensor  19   b  and the flow sensor  18  and finally be injected into the waste liquid container  4  (step S 190 ). 
         [0119]    Whether the pressure in the animal  3  is normal or abnormal is determined by the first pressure sensor  17   a  and the second pressure sensor  17   b  (step S 200 ). 
         [0120]    The operation speed of the second air sensor  19   b  is regulated and step S 180  is performed again when the pressure in the animal  3  is abnormal. 
         [0121]    Since intelligent automatic peritoneal dialysis devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure comprises first and second ducts, the dialysate and the waste liquid pass through different ducts, respectively, thereby improving dialysis efficiency. Additionally, since embodiments of the present disclosure comprise the flow direction control valve and a plurality of monitoring devices, the flow direction of the dialysate and the waste liquid are automatically controlled should a fault occur, thereby effectively solving the previously described problems. 
         [0122]    The embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve several technical effects in the field of veterinary medicine, such as improved dialysis efficiency and automatic control of the dialysate flow directions of the dialysate and the waste liquid should a fault occur. However, the above disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention. One skilled in the art may accomplish numerous modifications and verifications according to the present disclosure and within the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0123]    In the preceding description, the present disclosure is described with reference to specifically exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive. It is understood that the present disclosure is capable of using various other combinations and embodiments and is capable of any changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.