Apparatus and process for testing filters

摘要

In a process for testing filters (4) and (13) of treatment fluid of a hemodiafiltration apparatus (1), each filter has a wet semipermeable membrane (5, 14) which separates a gas-filled first chamber (6 and 15) from a liquid-filled second chamber (7 and 16). The first chambers are pressurized by a pump (19) supplying air, while the second chambers are placed in depression by a drainage pump (17) of used dialysis fluid. A first closed system is formed which includes the first chambers and a second closed system is formed which includes the second chambers. Two pressure gauges (P1 and P2) monitor the pressure in the two closed systems for a predetermined time. The monitoring provides indications relating to the filter integrity.

主权项

1. A process of testing filters in an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, the extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus having an hydraulic circuit comprising:
a supply line configured to connect a source of a fresh treatment fluid to an inlet of a dialysis chamber of a blood treatment device; a drainage line configured to connect an outlet of the dialysis chamber to a discharge of a used treatment fluid; an infusion line; at least a first filter having a semipermeable membrane which separates a first chamber from a second chamber of said first filter; and at least a second filter having a semipermeable membrane which separates a first chamber from a second chamber of said second filter; wherein: a first tract of the supply line is configured to extend in use between the source and an inlet of the first chamber of the first filter, a second tract of the supply line is configured to connect an outlet of the second chamber of the first filter to said inlet the dialysis chamber; a first tract of the infusion line branches from the second tract of the supply line and is configured to lead to an inlet of the first chamber of the second filter; a second tract of the infusion line is configured to connect an outlet of the second chamber of the second filter to an extracorporeal blood circuit;the testing process comprising the following steps:
wetting the semipermeable membranes of said first filter and of said second filter; filling the first chamber of the first filter and the first chamber of the second filter with air while the second chamber of the first filter and the second chamber of the second filter remain full of liquid; pressurizing the first chamber of the first filter and the first chamber of the second filter by supplying air to and generating an overpressure in the first chambers of the first and second filters, causing a depression in the second chambers of the first and second filters; measuring the pressure in the first chambers of the first and second filters; measuring the pressure in the second chambers of the first and second filters; verifying integrity of the semipermeable membranes of the first and second filters by monitoring the pressure in the first chambers of the first and second filters and the pressure in the second chambers of the first and second filters.