Patent Description:
The disclosure generally relates to dialysis machines, and more particularly to methods and devices for cleaning a cassette port in a dialysis machine.

Dialysis machines are known for use in the treatment of renal disease. The two principal dialysis methods are hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). During HD, the patient's blood is passed through a dialyzer of an HD machine while also passing dialysate through the dialyzer. A semi-permeable membrane in the dialyzer separates the blood from the dialysate within the dialyzer and allows diffusion and osmosis exchanges to take place between the dialysate and the blood stream. During PD, the patient's peritoneal cavity is periodically infused with dialysate or dialysis solution. The membranous lining of the patient's peritoneum acts as a natural semi-permeable membrane that allows diffusion and osmosis exchanges to take place between the solution and the blood stream. Automated PD machines, also called PD cyclers, are designed to control the entire PD process so that it can be performed at home, usually overnight, without clinical staff in attendance.

A dialysis machine, such as a PD machine or cycler (used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit), may include one or more containers (e.g., bags) containing a fluid
(e.g., a dialysate) for patient infusion. In PD machines, for example, tubing as fluid lines are inserted into an abdomen of a patient for flowing fresh dialysate and removing used dialysate, waste, and excess fluid.

In a PD machine, fresh dialysate may travel from the one or more containers, through tubing and into a disposable cartridge or cassette (used interchangeably without intent to limit) that may be inserted into a port located in the PD machine. During use, one or more pumps or actuators positioned within the PD machine interact with the disposable cassette to move fluid from the one or more containers to the patient. During its lifespan, the port may become contaminated. For example, dirt, crumbs, or other foreign debris may become trapped within the port. This problem may be worse when the port is positioned horizontally within the PD machine.

It is referred to <CIT> and <CIT> as prior art.

This Summary is not intended to necessarily identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a dialysis system for conducting a dialysis treatment is disclosed. The dialysis system comprises a dialysis machine including a port arranged and configured to receive a disposable cassette used in the dialysis treatment, and a cleaning cartridge insertable into the port formed in the dialysis
machine, the cleaning cartridge including one or more features arranged and configured to remove foreign debris from the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes an outer profile substantially similar to an outer profile of the cassette.

The cleaning cartridge includes an outer surface, the outer surface arranged and configured to collect foreign debris located in the port so that upon removing the cleaning cartridge from the port, foreign debris is removed from the port.

In one or more embodiments, the outer surface includes a tacky film arranged and configured to collect the foreign debris.

In one or more embodiments, the outer surface includes coated fibers arranged and configured to collect foreign debris.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes an electrostatic charge so that, upon positioning the cleaning cartridge within the port, any of the foreign debris located in the port is attracted to the cleaning cartridge.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes a battery-operated vacuum arranged and configured to produce suction to vacuum any of the foreign debris within the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes a battery-operated nozzle arranged and configured to produce forced air to blow any of the foreign debris out of the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes a battery-operated vacuum and nozzle system, the vacuum and nozzle system arranged and configured to produce
forced air to blow any of the foreign debris and to produce suction to vacuum any of the foreign debris.

In one or more embodiments, the port extends horizontally in the dialysis machine from a side surface of the dialysis machine.

In one or more embodiments, the cassette includes one or more valves for interacting with one or more pumps in the dialysis machine for transferring dialysate from the dialysate source to the patient.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for cleaning a cassette port in a dialysis machine is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a cleaning cartridge into a cassette port of a dialysis machine, the dialysis machine for performing a dialysis treatment and including the cassette port arranged and configured to receive a disposable cassette in fluid communication with the patient, and removing the cleaning cartridge and any foreign debris from the cassette port.

In one or more embodiments, the cassette port is horizontally disposed in the dialysis machine.

The cleaning cartridge includes an outer surface arranged and configured to collect foreign debris located in the port so that upon removing the cleaning cartridge from the port, any of the foreign debris is removed from the port.

In one or more embodiments, the outer surface includes a tacky film arranged and configured to collect any of the foreign debris.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes an electrostatic charge so that, upon inserting the cleaning cartridge within the port, the cleaning cartridge attracts any of the foreign debris located in the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes a battery-operated vacuum so that, upon inserting the cleaning cartridge within the port, activation of the vacuum collects any of the foreign debris located in the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes a battery-operated nozzle so that, upon inserting the cleaning cartridge within the port, activation of the nozzle pushes any of the foreign debris located in the port out of the dialysis machine.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge includes a battery-operated vacuum and nozzle system so that, upon inserting the cleaning cartridge within the port, activation of the vacuum and nozzle system pushes and collects any of the foreign debris located in the port out of the dialysis machine.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaning cartridge insertable into a port formed in a dialysis machine is disclosed. The cleaning cartridge comprises a body having an outer surface and one or more features arranged and configured to facilitate removing foreign materials or debris from the cassette port.

The outer surface is arranged and configured to collect foreign debris located in the port so that upon removing the cleaning cartridge from the port, foreign debris is removed from the port.

In one or more embodiments, the body includes an electrostatic charge so that, upon positioning the cleaning cartridge within the port, any of the foreign debris located in the port is attracted to the cleaning cartridge.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge further comprises a battery-operated vacuum arranged and configured to produce suction to vacuum any of the foreign debris within the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge further comprises a battery-operated nozzle arranged and configured to produce forced air to blow any of the foreign debris out of the port.

In one or more embodiments, the cleaning cartridge further comprises a battery-operated vacuum and nozzle system arranged and configured to produce forced air to blow any of the foreign debris and suction to vacuum any of the foreign debris within the port.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the disclosed methods and devices will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The present embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several exemplary embodiments are shown. The subject matter of the present disclosure, however, may be embodied in many different forms and types of methods and devices for dialysis machines and other potential medical devices and treatments, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Exemplary embodiments of a cleaning cartridge will now be described. In use, the cleaning cartridge is arranged and configured to be inserted into a port formed in the PD machine that is configured to receive a cassette (e.g. a disposable cassette) used during a dialysis treatment. The cleaning cartridge is arranged and configured to clean (e.g., remove any foreign debris) the port.

Referring to <FIG>, a dialysis system <NUM> may include a PD machine <NUM>, for flowing fresh dialysate into a patient and draining used dialysate out of the patient. During treatment, a volume of dialysate may enter the patient's abdomen and remain for a period of time, e.g., a dwell time. During the dwell time, the dialysate may flow across the peritoneum and absorb contaminants and/or particulates from a patient's blood and exchange substances and fluids (e.g., electrolytes, urea, glucose, albumin, osmotically active particles, and other small molecules). At the end of the dwell time, the used dialysate may be flowed out of the patient's abdomen and purged to a drain connected to the tubing, e.g., the drain line. This exchange of fresh dialysate and used dialysate after a dwell time may occur for several cycles depending on the patient's treatment regimen.

One or more dialysate sources may be connected to the dialysis machine <NUM>. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the dialysate source(s) may be dialysate bags <NUM> that are disposed near the PD machine <NUM>. In an embodiment, the dialysate bags <NUM> may be hung which may improve air content management as any air content is disposed by gravity to a top portion of the dialysate bag <NUM>. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the dialysate bags <NUM> may be disposed on shelves below or near the PD machine <NUM>. Valves may be attached to a bottom portion of the dialysate bags <NUM> so fluid is drawn out and air content delivery is minimized. In one embodiment, as shown, dialysate from the dialysate bags <NUM> may be transferred to the patient through a warming pouch, a heating chamber, or the like <NUM> (used interchangeably without the intent to limit) formed in the dialysis machine <NUM>. When the dialysate has reached a predetermined temperature (e.g., approximately <NUM>°-<NUM>°F, <NUM>) in the heating chamber <NUM>, the dialysate may be flowed into the patient.

As will be described and illustrated in greater detail below, the dialysate bags <NUM> may be connected to a cassette, which may be insertable into the dialysis machine <NUM>. In use, the cassette may be connected to dialysate bag lines, which may be used to pass dialysate from dialysate bags <NUM> to the cassette. In use, the cassette may be disposable. Alternatively, the cassette may be reusable. In addition, a patient line and a drain line may be connected or associated with the cassette. The patient line may be connected to a patient's abdomen via a catheter and may be used to pass dialysate back and forth between the cassette and the patient's peritoneal cavity during use. The drain line may be connected to a drain or drain receptacle and may be used to pass dialysate from the cassette to the drain or drain receptacle during use. Although the system described herein is discussed principally in connection with the use of dialysate bags as the dialysate source, it is noted that, in other embodiments, different dialysate sources may be used. For example, in other embodiments, the dialysate source may include one or more containers in which dialysate is mixed and/or otherwise prepared at the PD cycler from a dialysate concentrate, see, e.g., <CIT>, entitled "Dry Peritoneal Dialysis Concentrate System".

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic of an exemplary embodiment of a dialysis machine such as, for example, dialysis machine <NUM> and a controller <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure are shown. The machine <NUM> may be a home dialysis machine, e.g., a PD machine, for performing a dialysis treatment on a patient, and may be included in the system <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>. The controller <NUM> may automatically control execution of a treatment function during a course of dialysis treatment. The controller <NUM> may be operatively connected to the sensors <NUM> and deliver a signal to execute a treatment function (e.g., transferring dialysate from the dialysate bag <NUM> through the heating chamber <NUM> and then to the patient), or a course of treatment associated with various treatment systems. In some embodiments, a timer <NUM> may be included for timing triggering of the sensors <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the machine <NUM> may also include a processor <NUM>, and memory <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, and/or the memory <NUM>, or combinations thereof of the machine <NUM>, may receive signals from the sensor(s) <NUM> indicating various parameters. Each fluid bag (e.g., the dialysate bags <NUM>) may contain an approximate amount of dialysate, such that "approximate amount" may be defined as a <NUM> fluid bag containing <NUM> to <NUM>, a <NUM> fluid bag containing <NUM> to <NUM>, and a <NUM> fluid bag containing <NUM> to <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may also detect connection of all fluid bags <NUM> connected.

Communication between the controller <NUM> and the treatment system may be bidirectional, whereby the treatment system acknowledges control signals, and/or may provide state information associated with the treatment system and/or requested operations. For example, system state information may include a state associated with specific operations to be executed by the treatment system (e.g., trigger pump to deliver dialysate, trigger pumps and/or compressors to deliver filtered blood, and the like) and a status associated with specific operations (e.g., ready to execute, executing, completed, successfully completed, queued for execution, waiting for control signal, and the like).

In some embodiments, the dialysis machine <NUM> may include at least one pump <NUM> operatively connected to the controller <NUM>. During a treatment operation, the controller <NUM> may control the pump <NUM> for pumping fluid, e.g., fresh and spent dialysate, to and from a patient. For example, the pump <NUM> may transfer dialysate from the dialysate bag <NUM> through, for example, a cassette insertable into a port formed in the dialysis machine, to the heating chamber <NUM> prior to transferring the dialysis to the patient. In an embodiment, the pump <NUM> may be a peristaltic pump. The controller <NUM> may also be operatively connected to a speaker <NUM> and a microphone <NUM> disposed in the machine <NUM>. A user input interface <NUM> may include a combination of hardware and software components that allow the controller <NUM> to communicate with an external entity, such as a patient or other user. These components may be configured to receive information from actions such as physical movement or gestures and verbal intonation. In some embodiments, the components of the user input interface <NUM> may provide information to external entities. Examples of the components that may be employed within the user input interface <NUM> include keypads, buttons, microphones, touch screens, gesture recognition devices, display screens, and speakers. The machine <NUM> may also be wirelessly connectable via an antenna <NUM> for remote communication. The machine <NUM> may also include a display <NUM> and a power source <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the sensors <NUM> may be included for monitoring parameters and may be operatively connected to at least the controller <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, and/or the memory <NUM>, or combinations thereof. The processor <NUM> may be configured to execute an operating system, which may provide platform services to application software, e.g., for operating the dialysis machine <NUM>. These platform services may include inter-process and network communication, file system management and standard database manipulation. One or more of many operating systems may be used, and examples are not limited to any particular operating system or operating system characteristic. In some examples, the processor <NUM> may be configured to execute a real-time operating system (RTOS), such as RTLinux, or a non-real time operating system, such as BSD or GNU/Linux.

According to a variety of examples, the processor <NUM> may be a commercially available processor such as a processor manufactured by INTEL, AMD, MOTOROLA, and FREESCALE. However, the processor <NUM> may be any type of processor, multiprocessor or controller, whether commercially available or specially manufactured. For instance, according to one example, the processor <NUM> may include an MPC823 microprocessor manufactured by MOTOROLA.

The memory <NUM> may include a computer readable and writeable nonvolatile data storage medium configured to store non-transitory instructions and data. In addition, the memory <NUM> may include a processor memory that stores data during operation of the processor <NUM>. In some examples, the processor memory includes a relatively high performance, volatile, random access memory such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), static memory (SRAM), or synchronous DRAM. However, the processor memory may include any device for storing data, such as a non-volatile memory, with sufficient throughput and storage capacity to support the functions described herein. Further, examples are not limited to a particular memory, memory system, or data storage system.

The instructions stored on the memory <NUM> may include executable programs or other code that may be executed by the processor <NUM>. The instructions may be persistently stored as encoded signals, and the instructions may cause the processor <NUM> to perform the functions described herein. The memory <NUM> may include information that is recorded, on or in, the medium, and this information may be processed by the processor <NUM> during execution of instructions. The memory <NUM> may also include, for example, specification of data records for user timing requirements, timing for treatment and/or operations, historic sensor information, and the like. The medium may, for example, be optical disk, magnetic disk or flash memory, among others, and may be permanently affixed to, or removable from, the controller <NUM>.

The sensor(s) <NUM> may include a pressure sensor for monitoring fluid pressure of the machine <NUM>, although the sensors <NUM> may also include any of a heart rate sensor, a respiration sensor, a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, an air sensor, a video sensor, a thermal imaging sensor, an electroencephalogram sensor, a motion sensor, an audio sensor, an accelerometer, a capacitance sensor, or any other suitable sensor. It is appreciated that the sensors <NUM> may include sensors with varying sampling rates, including wireless sensors.

The controller <NUM> may be disposed in the machine <NUM> or may be coupled to the machine <NUM> via a communication port or wireless communication links, shown schematically as communication element <NUM>. According to various examples, the communication element <NUM> may support a variety of one or more standards and protocols, examples of which include USB, Wi-Fi, TCP/IP, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Zigbee, CAN-bus, IP, IPV6, UDP, UTN, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SNMP, CDMA, NMEA and/or GSM. As a component disposed within the machine <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may be operatively connected to any of the sensors <NUM>, the pump <NUM>, and the like. The controller <NUM> may communicate control signals or triggering voltages to the components of the machine <NUM>. As discussed, exemplary embodiments of the controller <NUM> may include wireless communication interfaces. The controller <NUM> may detect remote devices to determine if any remote sensors are available to augment any sensor data being used to evaluate the patient.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an embodiment of a dialysis machine <NUM> such as, for example, dialysis machine <NUM>, that can be used in connection with the dialysis system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The dialysis machine <NUM> may be implemented in the dialysis system <NUM> and may include, for example, a housing <NUM>, a processing module <NUM>, a connection component <NUM>, a touch screen <NUM>, and a control panel <NUM> operable by a user (e.g., a caregiver or a patient) to allow, for example, set up, initiation, and/or termination of a dialysis treatment.

The touch screen <NUM> and the control panel <NUM> may allow a user to input various treatment parameters to the dialysis machine <NUM> and to otherwise control the dialysis machine <NUM>. In addition, the touch screen <NUM> may serve as a display. The touch screen <NUM> may function to provide information to the patient and the operator of the dialysis system <NUM>. For example, the touch screen <NUM> may display information related to a dialysis treatment to be applied to the patient, including information related to a prescription.

The dialysis machine <NUM> may include a processing module <NUM> that resides inside the dialysis machine <NUM>, the processing module <NUM> being configured to communicate with the touch screen <NUM> and the control panel <NUM>. The processing module <NUM> may be configured to receive data from the touch screen <NUM>, the control panel <NUM>, and sensors, e.g., air, temperature and pressure sensors, and control the dialysis machine <NUM> based on the received data. For example, the processing module <NUM> may adjust the operating parameters of the dialysis machine <NUM>. In some embodiments, the processing module <NUM> may be an MPC823 PowerPC device manufactured by Motorola, Inc.

The dialysis machine <NUM> may be configured to connect to a network. The connection to network may be via a wired and/or wireless connection. The dialysis machine <NUM> may include a connection component <NUM> configured to facilitate the connection to the network. The connection component <NUM> may be a transceiver for wireless connections and/or other signal processor for processing signals transmitted and received over a wired connection. Other medical devices (e.g., other dialysis machines) or components may be configured to connect to the network and communicate with the dialysis machine <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the PD machine <NUM> includes a cassette port <NUM> that is arranged and configured to receive a cassette <NUM> (<FIG>) (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>, the cassette <NUM> may be insertable into the cassette port <NUM> formed in the PD machine <NUM>). As illustrated in <FIG>, in one embodiment, the cassette port <NUM> is arranged horizontally in the PD machine <NUM> (e.g., extending across the PD machine <NUM> between side surfaces). In one embodiment, the cassette port <NUM> may extend from a side surface of the PD machine <NUM>. In use, the cassette <NUM> may be connected to dialysate bag lines, which may be used to pass dialysate from dialysate bags <NUM> to the cassette <NUM>. In use, the cassette <NUM> may be disposable. Alternatively, the cassette <NUM> may be reusable. Thus arranged, with the cassette <NUM> positioned in the cassette port <NUM>, the at least one pump <NUM> positioned within the PD machine <NUM> may be operated to pump fluid, e.g., fresh and spent dialysate, to and from the patient.

In addition, the dialysis may need to be heated to body temperature prior to being inserted into the patient (e.g., it is preferred that dialysate should be delivered to patients at specific temperatures, for example, at <NUM> degrees Celsius (e.g., body temperature)). As illustrated in <FIG>, the PD machine <NUM> may also include one or more heating elements disposed internal to the machine <NUM> and an opening or cavity <NUM> (used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit) arranged and configured to receive a heating cassette <NUM> in a direction indicated at arrow <NUM>. In use, the heating cassette <NUM> may be inserted into the opening <NUM> formed in the PD machine <NUM> and into the heating chamber <NUM> positioned with the dialysis machine <NUM>. In some embodiments, the heating cassette <NUM> may be configured so dialysate may continually flow through the heating cassette <NUM> to achieve a predetermined temperature before flowing into the patient. For example, in some embodiments the dialysate may continually flow through the heating cassette <NUM> at a rate of approximately <NUM>/min. Thus arranged, the pump <NUM> may pump dialysate from the dialysate bag <NUM> through, for example, the cassette <NUM> positioned in the cassette port <NUM>, through the heating cassette <NUM> positioned in the heating chamber <NUM>, and eventually to the patient.

In use, with the heating cassette <NUM> inserted into the cavity <NUM>, the one or more heating elements may affect the temperature of dialysate flowing through the heating cassette <NUM>. In some embodiments, the heating chamber <NUM> may be arranged and configured so that a portion of tubing in the system is passed by, around, or otherwise configured with respect to, one or more heating elements. In some embodiments, a dialysis machine <NUM> may provide an active measurement of the dialysate temperature in dialysate bags and/or a heating chamber, e.g., in the dialysate bags <NUM>, and the heating chamber of <FIG> and <FIG>. It is understood that <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate dialysate continuously flowing through the heating cassette <NUM> "in-line" with the dialysis machine <NUM>, reaching an acceptable temperature by the application of internal heating elements.

Referring to <FIG>, PD machines <NUM> utilizing a horizontally positioned cassette port <NUM> for receiving a disposable cassette <NUM> is more susceptible to trapping foreign material such as, for example, dirt, crumbs, or other foreign debris. As a result, instances of foreign materials getting trapped within, for example, ridges or grooves situated around valves <NUM> in a surface <NUM> of the cassette <NUM> have occurred. That is, in use with the cassette <NUM> properly positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, the cassette <NUM> includes a plurality of valves <NUM> arranged and configured to interface with one or more actuators or pumps positioned within the PD machine <NUM>. In use, the PD machine <NUM> may utilize a vacuum to improve contact between the valves <NUM> formed in the cassette <NUM> and the actuators or pumps positioned in the PD machine <NUM>. The inclusion of foreign materials or debris within the cassette port <NUM> at the interface between the valves <NUM> in the cassette <NUM> and the actuators or pumps can prevent, or at least inhibit, the formation of a proper seal, which may result in leakage at the interface that degrades the performance of the PD machine <NUM> or prevents the PD machine <NUM> from working at all.

In use, access to the interior of the cassette port <NUM> is rendered difficult. Thus, removing any foreign debris that may become trapped within the cassette port <NUM> is difficult. In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, an example embodiment of a cleaning cartridge <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In use, as will be described in greater detail herein, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> is arranged and configured to be inserted into the cassette port <NUM> formed in the PD machine <NUM>. The cleaning cartridge <NUM> may be arranged and configured to clean the cassette port <NUM> of any foreign debris upon insertion therein. As illustrated, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> preferably includes an outer profile <NUM> that is substantially similar to the cassette <NUM> (e.g., the cleaning cartridge <NUM> has a body having a physical envelope that substantially matches the shape of the cassette <NUM> used to pump dialysis through the PD machine <NUM>) so that the cleaning cartridge <NUM> is arranged and configured to be insertable into the cassette port <NUM>. In use, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> includes one or more features arranged and configured to facilitate removing foreign materials or debris from the cassette port <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> arranged and configured to collect and trap foreign debris. For example, the outer surface <NUM> may include or be formed from a tacky film that when properly positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, will collect and trap foreign debris that gets struck to the tacky film. Alternatively, for example, the outer surface <NUM> may include or be formed from coated fibers that when properly positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, will collect and trap foreign debris that gets trapped within the fibers. In either implementation, upon removing the cleaning cartridge <NUM> from the cassette port <NUM> foreign material and debris will be removed from the cassette port <NUM>. In one embodiment, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may be manufactured from a rigid plastic such as, for example, a polycarbonate, an acrylic, an ABS, a polypropylene, etc..

In addition, and/or alternatively, referring to <FIG>, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may be arranged and configured to incorporate an electrostatic charge so that, upon positioning the cleaning cartridge <NUM> within the cassette port <NUM>, any foreign material or debris located in the cassette port <NUM>, will be attracted to the cleaning cartridge <NUM> and thus removed upon withdrawing the cleaning cartridge <NUM> from the cassette port <NUM>. For example, as illustrated, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may be coupled to a static generator <NUM>. In use, with the cleaning cartridge <NUM> positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, the static generator <NUM> generates positive electrostatic charges <NUM> on the outer surface <NUM> of the cleaning cartridge <NUM> to attract and subsequently remove any foreign debris with the removal of the cleaning cartridge <NUM> from the cassette port <NUM>.

In addition, and/or alternatively, referring to <FIG>, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include a battery-operated vacuum. In one embodiment, the battery-operated vacuum may be positioned within the outer profile <NUM> of the cleaning cartridge. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the battery-operated vacuum may be coupled to the cleaning cartridge <NUM>. Upon activation, the vacuum is arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of suction along the outer surface <NUM> to vacuum any foreign debris within the cassette port <NUM>. For example, as illustrated, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include a plurality of vacuum ports <NUM>. In use, with the cleaning cartridge <NUM> properly positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, the vacuum ports <NUM> may be arranged and configured to align with the sensors, valves, actuators, pumps, etc. located within cassette port <NUM>. Upon activation, the vacuum ports <NUM> are arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of suction, vacuum, etc. to remove any foreign debris away from the sensors, valves, actuators, pumps, etc. and out of the cassette port <NUM>.

Alternatively, referring to <FIG>, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may be arranged and configured with a battery-operated nozzle <NUM>. In one embodiment, the battery-operated nozzle may be positioned within the outer profile <NUM> of the cleaning cartridge. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the battery-operated nozzle may be coupled to the cleaning cartridge <NUM>. Upon activation, the nozzle <NUM> is arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of forced air to blow any foreign debris out of the cassette port <NUM>. For example, as illustrated, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include a plurality of air nozzles <NUM>. In use, with the cleaning cartridge <NUM> properly positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, the air nozzles <NUM> may be arranged and configured to align with the sensors, valves, actuators, pumps, etc. located within cassette port <NUM>. Upon activation, the air nozzles <NUM> are arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of forced air to remove any foreign debris away from the sensors, valves, actuators, pumps, etc. and out of the cassette port <NUM>.

In either implementation, upon properly inserting the cleaning cartridge <NUM> within the cassette port <NUM>, activation of the battery-operated vacuum or nozzle will collect or remove any foreign debris from the cassette port <NUM>. In use, the battery may be rechargeable. Alternatively, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include disposable batteries.

Alternatively, referring to <FIG>, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include a battery-operated vacuum and air nozzle system. Upon activation, the vacuum and air nozzle system is arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of forced air and suction to remove any foreign debris within the cassette port <NUM>. For example, as illustrated, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include a plurality of vacuum ports <NUM> and air nozzles <NUM>. In use, the air nozzles <NUM> may be positioned within the vacuum ports <NUM>. Thereafter, with the cleaning cartridge <NUM> properly positioned within the cassette port <NUM>, the air nozzles <NUM> may be aligned with the sensors, valves, actuators, pumps, etc. located within cassette port <NUM>. The vacuum ports <NUM> may be arranged and configured to apply a ring around the air nozzles <NUM>. Upon activation, the air nozzles <NUM> are arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of forced air to dislodge any foreign debris. At the same time, the vacuum is arranged and configured to provide a sufficient amount of suction to collect and remove the foreign debris. Thus arranged, upon properly inserting the cleaning cartridge <NUM> within the cassette port <NUM>, activation of the battery-operated vacuum and nozzle system will remove and collect any foreign debris from the cassette port <NUM>. In use, the battery may be rechargeable. Alternatively, the cleaning cartridge <NUM> may include disposable batteries.

In use, prior to commencing a PD treatment, a user can insert the cleaning cartridge <NUM> into the cassette port <NUM> formed in the PD machine <NUM> to perform a cleaning routine. In some embodiments, the PD machine <NUM> can be activated to cycle the actuators or pumps to loosen any foreign debris in the cassette port <NUM> to facilitate the transfer of the foreign debris to the cleaning cartridge <NUM>. After completion of the cleaning routine, the user can remove the cleaning cartridge <NUM> and insert a cassette, e.g., cassette <NUM>, into the cassette port <NUM> and begin the PD treatment.

Various aspects described herein have been explained in connection with the dialysis machine <NUM> having a particular configuration. It is contemplated that the various aspects described herein may be used with dialysis machines having other configurations, for example, different types of dialysis machines and/or dialysis machines having cassettes positionable in other configurations and having other features, such as different types of pumps and/or dialysate heating systems. The system described herein may be used with any appropriate dialysis machine and/or other medical devices utilizing disposable cassettes, including hemodialysis machines utilizing cassettes that handle medical fluids of a dialysis treatment, such as dialysate and/or blood.

Some embodiments of the disclosed system may be implemented, for example, using a storage medium, a computer-readable medium or an article of manufacture which may store an instruction or a set of instructions that, if executed by a machine (i.e., processor or microcontroller), may cause the machine to perform a method and/or operations in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, a server or database server may include machine readable media configured to store machine executable program instructions. Such a machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof and utilized in systems, subsystems, components, or sub-components thereof. The computer-readable medium or article may include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit, memory device, memory article, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage medium and/or storage unit, for example, memory (including non-transitory memory), removable or non-removable media, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re-writeable media, digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removable memory cards or disks, various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a tape, a cassette, or the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, encrypted code, and the like, implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language.

As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.

Claim 1:
A dialysis system (<NUM>) for conducting a dialysis treatment, comprising:
a dialysis machine (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a port (<NUM>) arranged and configured to receive a disposable cassette (<NUM>) used in the dialysis treatment; and
a cleaning cartridge (<NUM>) insertable into the port (<NUM>) formed in the dialysis machine (<NUM>, <NUM>), the cleaning cartridge (<NUM>) including one or more features arranged and configured to remove foreign debris from the port (<NUM>);
wherein the cleaning cartridge (<NUM>) includes an outer surface (<NUM>), the outer surface (<NUM>) being arranged and configured to collect foreign debris located in the port (<NUM>) so that upon removing the cleaning cartridge (<NUM>) from the port (<NUM>), foreign debris is removed from the port (<NUM>).