Abstract:
A device for the treatment of a medical fluid including a permanently installed fluid treatment machine and a cassette with fluid-carrying channels as well as an elastic matt placed between these two items. The matt channels are recessed in the elastic matt and are provided with slits. Via the matt channels, an optimised vacuum distribution takes place and the slits serve the purpose of removing air between the cassette and the fluid treatment machine.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application, Ser. No. 10/303,698 filed Nov. 26, 2002, and hereby claims the priorities thereof to which it is entitled. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a device for the treatment of a medical fluid, including a permanently installed fluid treatment machine, a cassette with fluid-carrying channels and an elastic matt placed between the fluid treatment machine and the fluid-carrying channels. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Such devices are generally known and consist of a permanently installed fluid treatment machine, a cassette with fluid carrying channels which are sealed with a foil, and an elastic matt placed between these two items. Medical fluids to be treated can be blood, for example, but also dialysis fluids for the peritoneal as well as the haemodialysis. The relevant cassettes are advantageously formed as disposable units. Such a fluid treatment machine can also be a device for measuring of parameters of medical fluids, for example, as described in the DE 198 37 667 A1. 
         [0004]    In these devices, a low pressure is created between the elastic matt and the cassette in order to prevent a deformation of the foil during low pressure in the channel, which leads to a channel restriction in the cassette, in order to be able to lift the foil at the adding points for the medical fluid and thus keep the access free, in order to prevent an air compliance in the pumping device and in order to be able to guarantee at special sensor positions an air-free attachment between the sensor surface and the foil. 
         [0005]    The extraction of air requires openings on the machine and an extraction unit connected to them, a vacuum pump for example, whereby the distribution of the vacuum should be guaranteed to be as evenly as possible and positive across the entire foil surface of the cassette. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the object of the present invention to further develop the generic device such that, during operation, a problem-free air extraction is made possible whereby in this case the vacuum should be evenly distributed across the surface of the elastic matt and a simple and problem-free air extraction should be possible while, during the machine&#39;s idle time, the openings necessary for the air extraction should at least be largely closed. 
         [0007]    In terms of the present invention, this object is solved by a device for the treatment of a medical fluid including a permanently installed fluid treatment machine, a cassette with fluid carrying channels and an elastic matt placed between the fluid treatment machine and the fluid-carrying channels. The matt channels are recessed in the elastic matt, with the path of said channels following the fluid-carrying channels of the cassette. Starting from a vacuum connection of the elastic matt to the extraction unit, the matt channels reach all important points of the elastic matt. In order to avoid leaks when applying pressure to the channel beads of the top-mounted cassette, these matt channels lie within the channel structure of the cassette. Only where, within the cassette, too, there is a channel or another fluid-carrying structure as part of the cassette, there is also a corresponding matt channel in the elastic matt. In the matt channels, slits have been placed. These slits provided in the elastic matt behave in a similar manner as a lip seal. As a result of applying a vacuum, air can be extracted from between the fluid treatment machine and the cassette because the perimeter areas of the slits are pulled in due to the vacuum and its connection to an opening. However, due to the return force of the elastic material, these slits close immediately once the vacuum connection is interrupted, i.e. when the device is in an idle state or when there is no significant differential pressure. In this state, an ingress of fluid is securely prevented. On the other hand, when the slits are open, the access to the extraction unit, i.e. the continuation from the matt to the vacuum pump, can be protected against unintended ingress of fluid by suitable measures (e.g. filter). 
         [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment, along the matt channels, the slits can be interrupted repeatedly for short intervals. That way, the slits are afforded a sufficient stability which enhances their valve function. 
         [0009]    At certain points, a continuation of the vacuum line is not possible via the matt channels that run within the cassette channels because there are, for example, recesses provided in the elastic matt, which interrupt the matt channels. These recesses engage, for example, with pump membranes or valves on the machine. This structure would lead to a situation where a trouble-free air extraction via the matt channels can no longer take place. In order to nevertheless provide a full surface contact between the cassette and the machine, with said contact being as leak-proof as possible, and in order to extend the required vacuum source efficiently to the various areas of the contact surface, additional flatter connection channels compared to the matt channels are formed here, which by-pass the large-area recesses within the elastic matt. The execution of these connection channels is so shallow and so narrow that the nearby matt material of the elastic matt retains sufficient self-stability in order to prevent a deformation and closing of the connection channel even during the application of the vacuum and the distortion. Due to this preferred design, it is guaranteed that the slits and channels during distortion and application of the vacuum remain open and the matt remains sufficiently stable while the sealing effect of the matt remains intact and the channel structure provided is sufficient for the air flow to be extracted. 
         [0010]    Finally, in the preferred arrangement, the elastic matt is designed to be exchangeable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]    Further details and advantages of the invention are explained more closely by way of an embodiment shown in the drawings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, 3D representation of a section of an elastic matt according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a section along the section line A-A′. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a section along the section line B-B′. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a section along the section line C-C′. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
         [0017]    In  FIG. 1 , an elastic matt  10  is shown schematically which is arranged between a fluid treatment machine, of which no detail is shown here, and a cassette (disposable) which is usually formed as a disposable unit. On the so-called machine side, namely on the surface which, when assembled, faces the fluid treatment machine, matt channels  12  and connection channels  14  are formed. Furthermore, a recess  16  is arranged in the elastic matt  10 , into which in the assembled condition a machine-mounted valve, for example, engages and establishes a seal all around. It is easy to see that this machine-mounted valve interrupts the respective matt channel  12  which happens to join the recess  16 . In order to still make an air extraction possible, a connection channel  14  has been provided which connects the two interrupted branches of matt channel  12  and connects them in turn with a further, parallel matt channel  12 . The structure shown here is, of course, only an example and can be changed in any way. While the channel structures are provided on the machine side of the elastic matt  10 , the disposable side, namely the side facing the cassette, is executed as a smooth, i.e. flat surface. 
         [0018]    By referring to the sectional views of  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the structure of the individual channels can be explained in more detail. The section A-A′ as per  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 2  where a matt channel becomes visible which, with the elastic matt used here having a thickness of 4 mm, has a depth of 3 mm and a width of 2 mm. In the remaining matt material below channel  12 , which has a thickness of 1 mm, a slit  18  is placed which takes on a type of valve function. When a vacuum is applied, the two areas of the elastic matt  10  adjacent to the slit  18  will open and enable the extraction of air gas. In an idle state or when an equilibrium is obtained, the two adjacent areas return to their original position and close the opening. In order to enhance this return effect, areas between the slits  18  are provided in the matt channel  12 , which on the one hand do not have a slit and, on the other hand, are less deeply recessed in the area of matt channel  12 . A corresponding area can be seen in section B-B′ as per  FIG. 3  which shows that, while the matt channel  12  in this area has the same width of 2 mm, it only has a depth of 1 mm. 
         [0019]    In the view as per  FIG. 4 , a connection channel  14  is shown in the sectional view of C-C′, where said channel is narrower and not as deep as the matt channel  12 , which can be seen clearly in this view. In this case, both the width of the connection channel  14  and the depth are one millimetre each. 
         [0020]    With the elastic matt according to this invention, it is guaranteed that the interior space of the fluid treatment machine, in its idle state, is protected by the self-closing feature of slits  18 . At the same time, an even air extraction is achieved between the fluid treatment machine and the cassette across its entire surface because parallel extraction takes place via numerous slits  18 . Thus, a minor blockage may not cause any detrimental effects for other areas. 
         [0021]    With a thin matt  10 , as it has been presented in the embodiment for example, the opening effect of the slits can be utilised by applying a vacuum. 
         [0022]    Since the elastic matt  10  is exchangeable, it can be replaced easily after contamination or a fault. It is especially advantageous that no structured shapes are required for the fixed components on the machine. On the side of the elastic matt  10  facing the machine, open structures can be formed so that no sub-surface tunnels or other closed structures are required. On the other hand, the side of the elastic matt  10  facing the cassette is largely formed as a smooth, closed surface which can be cleaned easily for example. 
         [0023]    The invention being thus described, it will be apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be recognized by one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.