| abstract |
A method for reprocessing dialyzer cartridges (13) used with kidney dialysis machines is provided. The method involves filling the blood (19, 21) and dialysate (23, 25) compartments of the dialyzer (13) with an aqueous solution containing citric acid at a concentration of 1.0-5.0 wt. %, e.g., 1.5 wt. %, and then subjecting the dialyzer (13) to an elevated temperature above 90 °C and below 100 °C, e.g., 95 °C, for a period of at least 15 hours, e.g., 20 hours. Although citric acid is non-toxic and the temperature used is below the boiling point of water, the process has been found to produce a fully sterilized dialyzer (13). After reprocessing, the aqueous citric acid solution is preferably left in the dialyzer (13) where it acts as a bacteriostatic agent during storage. Essentially no damage to the dialyzer (13) and, in particular, to its semipermeable membrane (11) results from either the reprocessing or storage procedures. |