Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for dosing a substituate produced by a blood treatment apparatus. Dosing for the present invention is via a hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus, the hydraulic system having at least one dialysis liquid supply line which leads into a dialyzer and at least one substituate line. Regulating or controlling the size of the share which passes through the second filtration stage is performed by affecting at least one conveying apparatus and/or at least one flow limitation device and/or a flow divider valve, which are each located or which each operate in the dialysis liquid supply line and/or the substituate line and/or in the branch line which connects the dialysis liquid supply line with the substituate line. The present invention further relates to a control device, a blood treatment apparatus, a medical functional apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium related to the methods.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/610,485, filed on Mar. 14, 2012, and German Patent Application No. 10 2012 004 970.6, filed on Mar. 14, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method for dosing, creating or providing a substituate which was produced by a blood treatment apparatus. In addition, the present invention relates to a control device as well as a blood treatment apparatus for executing this method. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a medical functional apparatus, a digital storage medium, a computer program product, as well as a computer program related to the method. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    From practice, extracorporeal blood treatment apparatuses and methods are known in which a substituate is added to the extracorporeal blood circuit. Frequently, the substituate is produced online, i.e. during the blood treatment session and usually by the blood treatment apparatus itself. For this, a part of the dialysis liquid which is usually also produced online is prompted to also pass through the membrane of a second filter or a second filtration stage after it has passed through the membrane of a first filter or a first filtration stage. After running through this second filtration (sterile filtration), the substituate gained that way may be added to the contents of the extracorporeal blood circuit at a predilution site and/or a postdilution site of the extracorporeal blood circuit upstream and downstream, respectively, from the dialyzer or the blood filter. 
         [0004]    There are requirements with respect to the precision with which the substituate is added to the contents of the extracorporeal blood circuit. Thus, state-of-the-art apparatuses as known from practice comprise a high-precision dosing apparatus for dosing the substituate which is completely (e.g. in the form of a membrane pump in a blood cassette) or partially (e.g. in the form of a pump tubing segment for a roller pump at a conventional blood tube set or integrated in a blood cassette) part of the blood tube set which is used for the blood treatment. 
         [0005]    One object of the present invention is to propose a further method for dosing, creating or providing a substituate which was produced online. It is further an object of the present invention to propose a corresponding control device, a corresponding blood treatment apparatus, a corresponding medical functional apparatus, a digital storage medium, a computer program product as well as a computer program. 
         [0006]    All advantages achievable by the method according to the present invention may in certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention undiminishedly be also achieved with the above-mentioned apparatuses and devices. 
         [0007]    Thus, according to the present invention, a method for dosing, creating or providing a substituate which was produced by a blood treatment apparatus is proposed. The method according to the present invention thereby takes place by a hydraulic system or a hydraulic section (hereafter in short: hydraulic system) of the blood treatment apparatus. The hydraulic system comprises at least one dialysis liquid supply line which leads into the dialysate chamber of a blood filter or a dialyzer (hereafter in short: dialyzer) or which supplies dialysis liquid to the dialyzer. The hydraulic system further comprises at least one substituate line as well as a first filtration stage and a second filtration stage. 
         [0008]    The dialysis liquid supply line supplies fresh dialysis liquid to the dialyzer, whereas the dialysate drain line which is mentioned further below discharges used or waste dialysis liquid, also denoted as dialysate, out of the dialyzer. 
         [0009]    The substituate line guides or conducts substituate being supplied to the interior or the contents of a blood circuit (substantially blood) used during the blood treatment for volume substitution, or it is provided herefor. 
         [0010]    Optionally, the hydraulic system may further comprise a branch line connecting the dialysis liquid supply line with the substituate line. Optionally, the connection is achieved via the filtration stage which is located between the branch line and the substituate line and which is hereafter denoted as second filtration stage. The branch line leads into the second filtration stage, it is connected with it and/or it conducts fresh dialysis liquid into it. The term “filter” which is herein also used instead of “filtration stage” can be understood as a synonym of filtration stage. A filtration stage may in turn comprise or consist of several filters. 
         [0011]    The method according to the present invention encompasses conveying a first fluid (or filtering the first fluid) through the first filtration stage which is upstream of the second filtration stage in flow direction and into the dialysis liquid supply line. Thereby, the fluid exits from the first filtration stage as a dialysis liquid which may be and/or is introduced in a dialyzer. 
         [0012]    The method according to the present invention further encompasses (actively or passively) conducting a share or part (of a flow share or a volume share) of the dialysis liquid into the substituate line which attaches to or follows after a second filtration stage or is downstream thereof in fluid communication with it, for example, in that the substituate line follows to the second filtration stage or is being fed from it. 
         [0013]    Upon passing through the second filtration stage, a substituate which can be and/or has been introduced into an extracorporeal blood circuit is being produced. 
         [0014]    The method according to the present invention further encompasses regulating or controlling the share of the dialysis liquid (or the size of this share) which exits from the first filtration stage and which in the second filtration stage is filtered or passes through its membrane, or the share which is guided into a medical functional apparatus via the substituate line after having been filtered at the second filtration stage or which is provided to be guided into the extracorporeally conducted blood of a patient. 
         [0015]    Regulating or controlling the share of the dialysis liquid or of the substituate which each are filtered in the second filtration stage or guided into the functional device (or into an extracorporeal blood circuit) takes place by affecting at least one conveying apparatus and/or at least one flow limitation device and/or a flow divider valve, which are each present in or affect the dialysis liquid supply line, the substituate line and/or the branch line. 
         [0016]    Affecting may take place by known measures to actuate flow limitation apparatuses or conveying devices. 
         [0017]    The control device according to the present invention, which may also be embodied as a regulating device, is provided, established, programmed and/or configured to control or regulate a blood treatment apparatus for or during execution of the method according to the present invention when interacting with the blood treatment apparatus. For this, it is during its use connected with the elements of the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus which are to be controlled or regulated or it is in operative and/or signal connection with them. 
         [0018]    The blood treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises a hydraulic system, which comprises at least one dialysis liquid supply line and at least one substituate line. The hydraulic system may optionally comprise at least one branch line as described above. The blood treatment apparatus is embodied, provided and/or configured for executing the dosing method according to the present invention. In certain exemplary embodiments, it comprises the devices which are necessary herefor or it is connected with such devices in operative connection and/or signal connection. 
         [0019]    The medical (i.e. provided for medical purposes) functional apparatus according to the present invention is provided to be used together with a blood treatment apparatus according to the present invention. It comprises its own substituate line and a substituate port or connection. The substituate port is provided to receive substituate produced by the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus from the substituate line of the hydraulic system. The medical functional apparatus does not comprise an apparatus which is arranged and/or provided for dosing the substituate which passes over from the substituate line of the functional apparatus into a blood-conducting line of the functional apparatus. 
         [0020]    The digital storage medium according to the present invention, in particular in the form of a disk, CD or DVD or EPROM, with electronically readable control signals may interact with a programmable computer system such that the mechanical steps of the method according to the present invention are prompted. 
         [0021]    The computer program product according to the present invention comprises a program code stored on a machine-readable storage device for prompting the mechanical steps of the method according to the present invention when the computer program product is executed or run on a computer. 
         [0022]    The term “machine-readable storage device,” as used herein, denotes in certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention a storage device which contains data or information which is interpretable by software and/or hardware. The storage device may be a data storage device such as a disk, a CD, DVD, a USB stick, a flashcard, an SD card and the like. 
         [0023]    The computer program according to the present invention comprises a program code for prompting the mechanical steps of the method according to the present invention when the computer program runs on a computer. 
         [0024]    It applies to the digital storage medium, the computer program product according to the present invention and the computer program according to the present invention that all, a few or some of the mechanically executed steps of the method according to the present invention are prompted. 
         [0025]    In all of the following exemplary embodiments, the use of the expression “may be” or “may have” and so on, is to be understood synonymously with “preferably is” or “preferably has,” respectively, and so on, and is intended to illustrate an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0026]    Exemplary embodiments according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the features named hereafter. 
         [0027]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, dosing the substituate is a mechanical producing, enabling or effecting the separation or provision of a concrete substituate flow (e.g. in milliliters per minute) or a concrete volume of substituate liquid. The substituate flow which is defined this way by the hydraulic system, or the substituate volume which is defined this way, corresponds in certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention to the flow or volume which leaves the hydraulic system and enters a medical functional apparatus, for example via a substituate port of the hydraulic system, which is connected with the blood treatment for the purpose of the blood treatment session. 
         [0028]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the conveying device is a pump, a pressure pump, a flow pump, a volume pump or the like. 
         [0029]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the flow limitation device is a throttle, a flow divider valve, a proportional valve, a tube squeeze valve or the like. 
         [0030]    In some exemplary embodiments of the method according to the present invention or the blood treatment apparatus according to the present invention, all apparatuses or devices for dosing the substituate which is being or which was actually introduced into the extracorporeal blood circuit are exclusively part of the hydraulic system or embedded herein. This applies in particular to the conveying devices which are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention as described herein such as a pump, a pressure pump, a flow pump or a volume pump or the like. This also applies in particular to the flow limitation devices which are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention as described herein such as a throttle, a flow divider valve, a proportional valve, a tube squeeze valve or the like. 
         [0031]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the second filtration stage is inserted in the dialysis liquid supply line so that all dialysis liquid, which is being supplied to the dialyzer, has flown also through the second filtration stage regardless of whether it was filtered therein or not. 
         [0032]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises a second filtration stage in the branch line of the dialysis liquid supply line, or as end point of the branch line, or it leads into it. 
         [0033]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one flush line. A “flush line” is according to the present invention understood as a line which begins at the outlet of the dialysis liquid chamber of the second filtration stage. It may exemplarily be connected with the dialysate drain line of the dialyzer. According to the present invention, a flush line may also be denoted or used as a rinse line, flush line or scour line. 
         [0034]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one bypass line branching off the substituate line to the flush. It can exemplarily be connected with the dialysate drain line of the dialyzer. 
         [0035]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, “flushing” is understood as a temporary rinsing, flushing or scouring. It can be intended to remove air or particles from the filter. A valve opened herefor may subsequently be closed, and the substitution can be continued. 
         [0036]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises a flow divider valve in the dialysis liquid supply line downstream of or “behind” the first filtration stage. 
         [0037]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises a proportional valve in the dialysis liquid supply line downstream of or behind the second filtration stage. 
         [0038]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises a proportional valve in the substituate line downstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0039]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises (at least) one proportional valve before or upstream of the second filtration stage and/or behind the second filtration stage. 
         [0040]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one apparatus to measure the flow (flow measurement) in the dialysis liquid supply line. 
         [0041]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one apparatus to measure the flow in the branch line and upstream of or “in front of” the second filtration stage. 
         [0042]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one apparatus to measure the flow in the substituate line and downstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0043]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one pre-pressure pump in the dialysis liquid supply line and behind the first filtration stage, but upstream of a branch point at which a branch line branches off the dialysis liquid supply line and/or upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0044]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one apparatus for measuring the pre-pressure (pre-pressure measurement) in the dialysis liquid supply line and upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0045]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one pre-pressure pump in the branch line and upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0046]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one pressure pump in the substituate line and downstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0047]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one volume pump in the branch line and upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0048]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one temperature sensor downstream of the pressure pump or the volume pump. 
         [0049]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one apparatus for monitoring the pressure (pressure monitoring) downstream of the volume pump. 
         [0050]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one apparatus for measuring the pre-pressure (pre-pressure measurement) upstream from the volume pump. 
         [0051]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one particle filter in the substituate line upstream or downstream of the volume pump. 
         [0052]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the hydraulic system comprises at least one blood detector in the substituate line. 
         [0053]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the substituate which has been produced as described herein by the hydraulic system is introduced into the blood present in the extracorporeal blood circuit without any further measures which serve or could serve a dosing of the substituate which is introduced or is to be introduced into the extracorporeal blood circuit. 
         [0054]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the method further encompasses regulating or controlling the size of the share of dialysis liquid which passes through the second filtration stage, based on preset information regarding the desired substituate flow or substituate volume, or based on the data obtained during the treatment from which in a step of the method information about the required substituate flow is calculated. Thereby, regulating or controlling consists of affecting at least one conveying device and/or at least one flow limitation device and/or a flow divider valve, which are each present or act in the dialysis liquid supply line and/or the substituate line and/or in the branch line, or it encompasses such affecting. 
         [0055]    In particular exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the blood treatment apparatus comprises a control or regulating device which is configured for executing the dosing method according to the present invention. 
         [0056]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention of the blood treatment apparatus, the second filtration stage is integrated in the dialysis liquid supply line and/or is being flown through by all dialysis liquid supplied to the dialyzer. Thereby, a proportional valve is arranged in the dialysis liquid supply line downstream of the second filtration stage. Further, a proportional valve or a throttle is arranged in the substituate line downstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0057]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the conveying devices which are referred to in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention described herein, such as a pump, a pressure pump, a flow pump or a volume pump or the like as well as the flow limitation devices which are also referred to in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention described herein, such as a throttle, a flow divider valve, a proportional valve, a tube squeeze valve or the like are configured, controlled, regulated or used for dosing the substituate, in particular based on the information about the desired substituate flow or the desired substituate volume. 
         [0058]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a pressure pump is arranged in the substituate line downstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0059]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a temperature sensor and/or a particle filter is arranged in the substituate line downstream of the pressure pump. 
         [0060]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a bypass line branches off the substituate line. It may be connected with the dialysate drain line. 
         [0061]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the second filtration stage is integrated in the dialysis liquid supply line or the dialysis liquid flows through the second filtration stage (i.e. it is accordingly arranged). Thereby, a volume pump is arranged in the substituate line downstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0062]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a substituate pressure sensor is arranged in the substituate line upstream of the volume pump. In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a particle filter and/or a pressure sensor is arranged downstream of the volume pump. 
         [0063]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, at least one flow sensor is arranged in the dialysis liquid supply line and/or in the substituate line. 
         [0064]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, as described above, a branch line which downstream of the branch point leads, heads or supplies fluid into the second filtration stage branches off the dialysis liquid supply line at a branch point, wherein the substituate line emerges from the second filtration stage, in particular directly or indirectly. In these exemplary embodiments, the substituate line is located downstream of the second filtration stage. The substituate line does not start in front or upstream of the second filtration stage. The share of the dialysis liquid which is supplied to the dialyzer does not flow through the second filtration stage. 
         [0065]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a flow divider valve is arranged in the branch point and thus upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0066]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, at least one proportional valve is arranged in the dialysis liquid supply line downstream of the branch point. 
         [0067]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, at least one proportional valve or at least one throttle is arranged in the branch line upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0068]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a pre-pressure pump is arranged in the branch line downstream of the branch point. 
         [0069]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a temperature sensor is arranged in the branch line downstream of a pre-pressure pump which is located in the branch line. 
         [0070]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a volume pump is arranged in the branch line downstream of the branch point. 
         [0071]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a branch pressure sensor is provided in the branch line downstream of the volume pump, but upstream of the second filtration stage. 
         [0072]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a pre-pressure pump is arranged in the branch line upstream of the branch point. 
         [0073]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a flush line branches off the second filtration stage. 
         [0074]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, at least one flow sensor is arranged in the substituate line and/or in the dialysis liquid supply line downstream of the branch point and/or downstream of the second filtration stage and/or in the branch line. 
         [0075]    In certain exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the blood treatment apparatus is embodied as hemodialysis apparatus, hemofiltration apparatus or hemodiafiltration apparatus. 
         [0076]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the medical functional apparatus is embodied as blood cassette or as extracorporeal blood tube or blood tube set. 
         [0077]    In some exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the medical functional apparatus is a one-way or disposable article. 
         [0078]    In certain embodiments according to the present invention everything related to or said with regard to “dosing” is also valid for “creating” or “providing.” 
         [0079]    In some embodiments according to the present invention introducing the substituate into the extracorporeal blood circuit is not part of the method according to the present invention. 
         [0080]    In certain embodiments according to the present invention the devices according to the present invention comprise the devices, parts or components necessary for executing the method according to the present invention, particularly valves, conveying devices as pumps, regulating devices, controlling devices, etc. 
         [0081]    Wherever herein there is mention of a sensor such as a pressure, temperature or flow sensor, according to the present invention each apparatus which is suitable and used to determine or measure the specific parameter is addressed. 
         [0082]    Wherever herein there is mention of a substituate line or a substituate, according to the present invention a line arrangement for producing a different, in particular highly purified liquid can be understood. It can for example be provided or used as rinsing liquid for cleaning or desorbing loaded adsorber cartridges (by or across which for example blood plasma is conducted during a blood treatment). Suchlike rinsing liquids which can also be produced as described herein, are usually not denoted as substitutes. On the basis of the before-mentioned, the present invention is therefore not to be limited to substituate. Any other liquid produced or dosed as described herein is also encompassed by the present invention. This applies also to the methods and apparatuses according to the present invention which are used therefore. Therefore, the present invention may for example also be used for dosing a rinsing liquid which is suitable for blood contact for cleaning or desorbing loaded adsorber cartridges. 
         [0083]    Some or all exemplary embodiments according to the present invention may provide for one, several or all of the advantages named above and/or hereafter. 
         [0084]    One advantage may be that in exemplary embodiments in which besides the present invention also a conventional dosing apparatus such as known from the state of the art and mentioned in the introduction is used, the process stability can be increased already due to the dosing of the substituate which takes place by the hydraulic system according to the present invention. Errors of the conventional dosing apparatus cannot result in an overdosing of substituate. 
         [0085]    Another advantage may be that a dosing device does not have to be provided with apparatuses according to the present invention or their use any more. Rather, the dosing takes place with the desired precision by the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to the present invention. This saves the costs for providing a dosing device which is specifically provided for dosing the substituate. Further, this can help save efforts for mounting, calibrating, monitoring and maintaining the dosing apparatus which is not required any more according to the present invention, as well as the costs which are hereby incurred. 
         [0086]    By transferring the step of dosing the substituate to the blood treatment apparatus, the precision of dosing can furthermore be ensured in a more reliable way than it is possible with state-of-the-art solutions in which dosing is partially or completely transferred to a blood tube set or a blood cassette, i.e., one-way articles. 
         [0087]    Another advantage may be that by the present invention conveying may take place with high precision, or even with a higher precision than before, as far as the conveyed volume is concerned. One reason for this may be that some of the tolerances which can each reduce the precision may be omitted. This applies for example to the compliance of the substituate tube and/or to the spring load of the roller pump. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0088]    The present invention is hereafter exemplarily explained with reference to the appended figures in which identical reference numerals refer to same or similar components. In the partially highly simplified figures it applies that: 
           [0089]      FIG. 1  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0090]      FIG. 2  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0091]      FIG. 3  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0092]      FIG. 4  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0093]      FIG. 5  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0094]      FIG. 6  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a sixth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0095]      FIG. 7  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to a seventh exemplary embodiment according to the present invention; and 
           [0096]      FIG. 8  shows in a schematically simplified way and in extracts the hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus according to an eighth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0097]      FIG. 1  shows in a schematically simplified way a hydraulic system  1  according to the present invention of a treatment apparatus  100  according to the present invention by which the method according to the present invention can be executed, and a blood circuit  200  which is only indicated schematically as an example of a medical functional apparatus. 
         [0098]    The hydraulic system  1  comprises a dialysis liquid supply line  3 , also denoted as dialysate line, which leads dialysis liquid which was produced online, i.e. by the treatment apparatus  100 , to a blood filter or dialyzer  5 . As dialysis liquid supply line  3  the whole line is understood herein through which dialysis liquid flows, which extends from a junction  3   a  downstream from a first filter F 04  which is also denoted as first filtration stage up to the entry of the dialysis liquid supply line  3  at an entry site  3   b  into the dialyzer  5 . 
         [0099]    A dialysate drain line  7  attaches to the dialyzer  5  which discharges the dialysis liquid from the dialyzer  5 . The dialysis liquid which is supplied to the dialyzer  5  by the dialysis liquid supply line  3  passes not only through the first filter F 04  but also trough a second filter F 05 , which is also denoted as second filtration stage, before it enters the dialyzer  5 . The second filter F 05  is integrated in the dialysis liquid supply line  3  and dialysis liquid flows through it. Dialysate can flow through the second filter F 05  along the dialysis liquid supply line  3  without being filtered. 
         [0100]    In the second filter F 05  thus a filtrate is produced which hereafter is also denoted as “substituate” which, being a share or portion of the dialysis liquid, is filtrated, lead through or pressed through the membrane or sterile membrane of the second filter F 05  and lead into a substituate line  9 . From the substituate line  9 , the substituate which is produced this way may for example be supplied via a substituate port to an extracorporeal blood circuit  200 , which may partially run on a blood cassette which is not illustrated. This may optionally take place in predilution and/or postdilution. The extracorporeal blood circuit  200 , which is only schematically indicated in the appended figures, comprises at least one blood drain line  200   a  which is connected to the dialyzer  5 , a blood supply line  200   b  which is also connected to the dialyzer  5 , and a section  200   c , which is in direct fluid connection with the substituate line  9 . 
         [0101]    A clamp or a valve V 24  is optionally integrated in the dialysis liquid supply line  3 . A clamp or a valve V 25  is optionally integrated in the dialysate drain line  7 . A clamp or a valve V 31  is optionally integrated in the substituate line  9  between the second filter F 05  and the substituate port H 32 . 
         [0102]    A connection line  10  attaches to the substituate port H 32 . It connects the substituate line  9  with the dialysate drain line  7 . Further valves V 32  and V 33 , which are also only optionally provided, are shown in the connection line  10  in  FIG. 1 . A retention valve V 22 , a bypass valve V 26  and a flush port H 33  are also optionally provided. 
         [0103]    Between the first filter F 04  and the second filter F 05 , a pre-pressure pump  11  and a dialysate pre-pressure sensor  13  may be, each optionally, provided. Equally, a substituate pressure sensor  15  and a blood detector  17  may be, each optionally, provided in the substituate line  9 . 
         [0104]    According to the present invention, if there is mention of a “pre-pressure,” the respective element—such as the pre-pressure pump  11  or the dialysate pre-pressure sensor  13 —is arranged or acts upstream of the second filter F 05 . 
         [0105]    For dosing the substituate flow or substituate volume, a first proportional valve Vdia, which is integrated in the dialysis liquid supply line  3 , and a second proportional valve Vsub, which is integrated in the substituate line  9  are provided in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It has to be noted that the elements Vdia and Vsub are only exemplarily proportional valves. They can also be embodied as other suitable flow or stream limitation devices which are known to the person skilled in the art. The valve position or valve positions are controlled or regulated in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  such that the desired flow separation between the dialysis liquid flow in the dialysis liquid supply line  3  and substituate flow in the substituate line  9  is achieved. 
         [0106]    In case it has to be ensured that the dialysate pre-pressure which for example can be measured with the dialysate pre-pressure sensor  13  does not fall below a defined or predetermined pressure value, the valve position of one of the two proportional valves Vdia and Vsub or the valve positions of both proportional valves Vdia and Vsub can be accordingly set or regulated. This predetermined pressure value may be determined such that both in the dialysis liquid supply line  3  and in the substituate line  9  defined flows can be ensured. An optionally provided upper pressure limitation may take place by the hydraulic system. When falling below a minimum pressure, closing the substituate line  9 , for example by the valve V 31 , can optionally take place as a safety measure. 
         [0107]    Alternatively or additionally, a desired pre-pressure can be generated or ensured by a pump, for example by the optionally provided pre-pressure pump  11 . 
         [0108]    Optionally, a flow sensor  19   a  in the dialysis liquid supply line  3  and/or a flow sensor  19   b  in the substituate line  9  are further provided for monitoring the achieved or the desired flow separation. Thereby, the flow sensor  19   a  is located downstream of the valve Vsub, the flow sensor  19   b  is located downstream of the valve Vdia. It is noted that according to the present invention, contrary to the exemplary embodiment as described herein, one, some or all of the flow sensors may alternatively be also located upstream of the proportional valves, regardless of the location of the remaining flow sensors, as long as they are located downstream of the branch point of dialysate and substituate or the branch point of the branch line. 
         [0109]    The desired flow separation may optionally be monitored and ensured by corresponding pressure measurements and the pressure measurement apparatuses which are optionally provided herefor. In this case, it may be advantageously possible to do without the optionally provided flow sensors  19   a  and  19   b.    
         [0110]    If the valve Vsub is embodied as a tube squeeze valve, as is provided in further exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the additional provision of a valve V 31  in the substituate line  9  may be waived. In such case, a flow sensor can be advantageously used. With it, a desired conveying rate precision of for example 10% can be easily checked and optionally readjusted accordingly. 
         [0111]    The explanations made with respect to  FIG. 1  also apply to the following figures, where seen as useful by the person skilled in the art. This applies in particular to the elements shown in  FIG. 1 , their designations, and their functions. 
         [0112]    For controlling or regulating the above-named components of the hydraulic system  1  in order to execute the method according to the present invention the blood treatment apparatus  100  comprises a regulating or control apparatus  300  according to the present invention, or it is connected herewith in signal or operative connection. 
         [0113]      FIG. 2  shows again in a schematically simplified way and only in extracts the hydraulic system  1  of the blood treatment apparatus  100  in a second exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. In the setup or arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , a throttle  21  is again merely optionally provided at the site at which the valve Vsub is shown in  FIG. 1  instead of the valve Vsub which is optionally embodied as proportional valve. Apart from that, the setup of  FIG. 2  may be the one of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0114]    The exemplary embodiment according to the present invention which is disclosed with regard to  FIG. 2 , in which only one proportional valve, that is the valve Vdia, is provided may be appropriate especially if it can be ensured that the pressure drop across the substituate line  9  or the whole substituate branch is always higher than across the dialysis liquid supply line  3  or the whole dialysate branch. If this is the case, which always has to be assumed in a hemodiafiltration treatment as otherwise no dialysate would flow anymore and the treatment would become a hemofiltration treatment, one proportional valve can be saved as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0115]    It is assumed that the pressure drop across the substituate branch should usually be higher than across the dialysate branch as the dialysis liquid which remains in the dialysis liquid supply line passes through the second filter F 05  in a longitudinal direction and the share of the dialysis liquid which is discharged into the substituate branch however has to be pressed through the membrane of the second filter F 05 . 
         [0116]    Furthermore, usually a non-return valve which is present on a disposable such as a blood cassette or the extracorporeal blood circuit and which is not shown here is located in the substituate branch for preventing a return flow. This non-return valve comprises a cracking pressure or opening pressure to ensure the blocking function of the non-return valve. Thus, the pressure drop across the substituate branch is higher. The opening pressure may exemplarily be more than 100 mbar. 
         [0117]    If it has to be ensured that the pressure drop across the substituate branch is higher than the pressure drop across the dialysis liquid branch, the substituate branch may be furnished with a throttle  21  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In its setup, the maximum admissible substituate flow as well as the maximum or maximum admissible dialysate pre-pressure can be considered. 
         [0118]      FIG. 3  shows a third exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. The explanations to it substantially correspond to those made with regards to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Compared to the illustrations of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , however, a pump  12  which is located downstream of the second filter F 05  is arranged in the substituate line  9  instead of the pre-pressure pump  11  located upstream from the second filter F 05 . Furthermore, a temperature sensor  23  and/or a particle filter  25  may optionally be provided downstream from the pump  12 , which may for example be embodied as a pressure pump. Based on the temperature values provided by the temperature sensor  23  it can be ensured that the substituate supplied to the blood circuit  200  has not been heated up to an inadmissible extend, which could have taken place by the pump  12  upstream from it. Should an inadmissible heating be detected, the heated substituate may completely or partly be discharged via an optionally provided bypass line  27  by opening an arranged bypass valve Vbp. 
         [0119]      FIG. 4  shows again in a schematically simplified way and only in extracts the hydraulic system  1  of the blood treatment apparatus  100  in a fourth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0120]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , a substituate pre-pressure sensor  29  is optionally provided in the substituate line  9  downstream of the second filter F 05 . Instead of a pre-pressure pump  11  which is provided in the dialysis liquid supply line  3 , in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4  a volume pump  31  is provided in the substituate line  9 . There, it is located downstream of the second filter F 05  and—if available—downstream of the substituate pre-pressure sensor  29 . 
         [0121]    Also in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  a particle filter  25  may be optionally provided. It can be arranged downstream of the volume pump  31 . 
         [0122]    In addition, the substituate line  9  comprises a substituate sensor  15 . It is located downstream of the volume pump. 
         [0123]      FIGS. 5 to 8 , which are discussed hereafter, show further exemplary embodiments according to the present invention which differ from the ones of  FIGS. 1 to 4  in that the second filter F 05  is not a part of the dialysis liquid supply line  3 . In fact, different to what has been discussed regarding  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the dialysis liquid which enters the dialyzer  5  does not also flow through the second filter F 05 . In the arrangements of  FIGS. 5 to 8 , only the share of dialysis liquid which is produced online by the first filter F 04  flows through the second filter F 05 , which is used for the production of filtrate or substituate. 
         [0124]    In the arrangements of  FIGS. 5 to 8 , this takes place in that a branch line  35  which starts at a branch point  35   a  is provided between the dialysis liquid supply line  3  and the second filter F 05 . 
         [0125]      FIG. 5  shows again in a schematically simplified way and only in extracts the hydraulic system  1  of the blood treatment apparatus  100  in a fifth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0126]    In contrast to what is illustrated in the preceding figures, a flow divider valve  37  which is provided at a branch point  35   a  ensures that the volume flow which flows through the first filter F 04  and which optionally is conveyed through a pre-pressure pump  11  is separated in the desired ratio into a dialysate flow and a branch or substituate flow. By integrated pressure compensators, this flow ratio can be maintained independently from the respective counter-pressure. For ensuring the function, the pre-pressure pump  11  which is optionally provided upstream of the flow divider valve  37  can supply the pre-pressure required to operate the flow divider valve  37 . The arrangement of  FIG. 5  comprises a flush line  28  which contains a flush valve VF 1 . 
         [0127]    Other than the preceding figures,  FIG. 5  comprises a third flow sensor  19   c  which is only optionally provided, which is arranged in the branch line  35 . The third flow sensor  19   c  may optionally be provided together with the first flow sensor  19   a  or the second flow sensor  19   b  or both flow sensors  19   a  and  19   b . According to the present invention, it also suffices to provide only one of the flow sensors  19   a ,  19   b  and  19   c  or arbitrary combinations hereof, for example at the sites of the hydraulic system  1  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0128]      FIG. 6  just as  FIG. 5  again shows in a schematically simplified way the hydraulic system  1  in a sixth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0129]    The flow separation is achieved in  FIG. 6  again with two proportional valves Vdia and Vsub as illustrated. The advantages associated herewith encompass reduced mechanical complexity and an improved cleaning possibility by staff and/or machine. 
         [0130]      FIG. 7  shows a seventh exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a pre-pressure pump  11  is provided, preferably in the branch line  35 , which with the support of one or several flow sensors  19   a ,  19   b  and  19   c  can be regulated to achieve the desired substituate flow. The pressure pump or pre-pressure pump  11  may for example be a geared pump having a bypass or a centrifugal pump. 
         [0131]    As for example a centrifugal pump can significantly heat up the substituate, a temperature sensor  23  may optionally be provided downstream of the pre-pressure pump  11  for monitoring the temperature of the substituate. According to the present invention, it can be provided that when an excess temperature is detected or when a predetermined temperature limit value is exceeded, substituate that has been heated too much can be discharged via the flush valve VF 1  and the flush line  28 . The valve V 31  can be completely or partially closed for this purpose. 
         [0132]      FIG. 8  shows the hydraulic system  1  according to the present invention of a treatment apparatus  200  according to the present invention according to an eighth exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. 
         [0133]    In this exemplary embodiment, a volume pump  31  is provided, preferably in the branch line  35 . It can generate a predefined substituate flow. The volume pump or flow pump  31  may for example be designed as a gear pump without bypass, a membrane pump, a tube roller pump or also as a rotary vane pump. 
         [0134]    In this or similar exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the pressure may be monitored by a suitable pressure measurement apparatus such as for example the branch line pressure sensor  16  for limiting the pressure in the branch line  35  depending on the utilized pump type. 
         [0135]    Some of the features of the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention which are illustrated in the figures can be taken from the following Table 1: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 feature 
                 FIG. 1 
                 FIG. 2 
                 FIG. 3 
                 FIG. 4 
                 FIG. 5 
                 FIG. 6 
                 FIG. 7 
                 FIG. 8 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 conventional 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 switching of the 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage in dialysis 
               
               
                 liquid supply line 
               
               
                 second filtration 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
               
               
                 stage in branch line 
               
               
                 of the dialysis liquid 
               
               
                 supply line 
               
               
                 flush line at the outlet 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
               
               
                 of the dialysate 
               
               
                 chamber of the 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 bypass line branching 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 off the filtrate line to 
               
               
                 the flush 
               
               
                 flow divider valve in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 dialysis liquid supply 
               
               
                 line downstream of 
               
               
                 first filtration stage 
               
               
                 proportional valve in 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 dialysis liquid supply 
                 (opt.) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (opt.) 
               
               
                 line downstream of 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 proportional valve in 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 substituate line 
                 (opt.) 
               
               
                 downstream of 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 flow measurement in 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
               
               
                 dialysis liquid supply 
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
                   
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
               
               
                 line 
               
               
                 flow measurement in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
               
               
                 branch line upstream 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
               
               
                 of the second 
               
               
                 filtration stage 
               
               
                 flow measurement in 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
               
               
                 substituate line 
                   
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
                   
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
                 (opt.) 
               
               
                 downstream of the 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 pre-pressure pump in 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 dialysis liquid supply 
               
               
                 line downstream of 
               
               
                 the first filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 pre-pressure 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 measurement in 
               
               
                 dialysis liquid supply 
               
               
                 line downstream of 
               
               
                 the first filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 pre-pressure pump in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
               
               
                 branch line upstream 
               
               
                 of the second 
               
               
                 filtration stage 
               
               
                 pressure pump in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 substituate line 
               
               
                 downstream of the 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 volume pump in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
               
               
                 branch line upstream 
               
               
                 of the second 
               
               
                 filtration stage 
               
               
                 volume pump in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 branch line 
               
               
                 downstream of the 
               
               
                 second filtration 
               
               
                 stage 
               
               
                 temperature sensor 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
               
               
                 downstream of 
               
               
                 pressure pump 
               
               
                 pressure monitoring 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
               
               
                 downstream of 
               
               
                 volume pump 
               
               
                 pre-pressure 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 measurement 
               
               
                 upstream of volume 
               
               
                 pump 
               
               
                 particle filter in 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 yes 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
                 no 
               
               
                 substituate line 
               
               
                 downstream of 
               
               
                 volume pump 
               
               
                 blood detector in 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
                 yes 
               
               
                 substituate line 
               
               
                 (generally optional) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  hydraulic system of the treatment apparatus  100   
           3  dialysis liquid supply line 
           3   a  junction 
           3   b  entry site 
           5  dialyzer or filter 
           7  dialysate drain line 
           9  substituate line 
           10  connection line 
           11  pre-pressure pump 
           12  pump 
           13  dialysate pre-pressure sensor 
           15  substituate pressure sensor 
           16  branch line pressure sensor 
           17  blood sensor 
           19   a  first flow sensor 
           19   b  second flow sensor 
           19   c  third flow sensor 
           21  throttle 
           23  temperature sensor 
           25  particle filter 
           27  bypass line 
           28  flush line 
           29  substituate pre-pressure sensor 
           31  volume pump 
           35  branch line 
           35   a  branch point 
           37  flow divider valve 
           100  treatment apparatus 
           200  extracorporeal blood circuit 
           200   a  blood drain line 
           200   b  blood supply line 
           200   c  section of the extracorporeal blood circuit  200  with direct fluid connection to the substituate line  9   
           300  control device or regulating device 
         V 22  retention valve 
         V 24  clamp or valve 
         V 25  clamp or valve 
         V 26  bypass valve 
         V 31  valve in the substituate line 
         VF 1  flush valve 
         Vbp bypass valve 
         Vdia valve in the dialysis liquid supply line 
         Vsub valve in the substituate line 
         F 04  first filter 
         F 05  second filter 
         H 32  substituate port 
         H 33  flush port