Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for continuous measurement of blood pressure based on pulse transit time and which does not require any external calibration. This technique, referred to herein as the ‘Composite Method’, is carried out with a body-worn monitor that measures blood pressure and other vital signs, and wirelessly transmits them to a remote monitor. A network of body-worn sensors, typically placed on the patient's right arm and chest, connect to the body-worn monitor and measure time-dependent ECG, PPG, accelerometer, and pressure waveforms. The disposable sensors can include a cuff that features an inflatable bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, three or more electrical sensors (e.g. electrodes), three or more accelerometers, a temperature sensor, and an optical sensor (e.g., a light source and photodiode) attached to the patient's thumb.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxygenator with a housing wall, defining a housing chamber with a blood inlet and a blood outlet, a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and also with a heating element which is arranged in the oxygenator between the blood inlet and blood outlet in order to control the temperature of the blood flowing through the housing chamber. The oxygenator also comprises an electric connection and the heating element has an electric resistor which is designed as a wire. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the heat emission at the heating element of an oxygenator by measuring the flow of blood through the oxygenator and the power of a pump influencing the flow, with the heating power being adjusted in accordance therewith.

Abstract: Engagement catheter devices, systems, and methods to use the same under suctional tissue engagement. A method of the present disclosure comprises the steps of engaging a targeted tissue under suction/vacuum using an engagement catheter, delivering a substance into or through the targeted tissue using a needle positioned within a first lumen of the engagement catheter, injecting a fluid within the first lumen of the engagement catheter to flush at least part of the first lumen with the fluid, and suctionally removing the injected fluid from within the first lumen of the engagement catheter.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus with an arterial puncture needle or a venous puncture needle is stuck in the patient can be easily notified at the activation of a blood pump in an unconnected step. A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit for circulating blood, a dialyzer capable of purifying the blood, a blood pump provided to an arterial blood circuit for delivering a liquid, and a control device that executes a connected step in which the blood pump is activated when an arterial puncture needle (a) and a venous puncture needle (b) are in the patient and an unconnected step in which the blood pump is activated with neither the arterial puncture needle (a) nor the venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient. The control device establishes, in the unconnected step, a restricted state where the behavior of the blood pump at the activation of the blood pump is restricted.

Abstract: A blood component collection cassette, kit, or system, and a flow path internal pressure detection method capable of accurately measuring a circuit internal pressure. A flow path formed in a cassette body has a first line through which blood flows when a blood component separation device is in operation, and a second line through which blood does not flow when the blood component separation device is in operation. The first line has a first pressure-receiving portion pressed by a first load detector. The second line has a second pressure-receiving portion pressed by a second load detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating bubbles from a liquid comprises at least a main body; an inlet tube and an outlet tube disposed at a side of the main body which includes an accommodation chamber and a column disposed atop, the inlet tube is formed with an aperture within the accommodation chamber, and the outlet tube is disposed at a position below the inlet tube; and a coupling tube disposed within the accommodation chamber, and includes a first end connected to the inlet tube and a second end corresponding to and separating from the outlet tube by a gap. During use, a liquid dispersed with bubbles is introduced through the inlet tube. The bubbles pass through the aperture along with a small portion of the liquid and ascend toward a top of the accommodation chamber and are then collected by the column.

Abstract: A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.

Abstract: Device for water disinfection by ultrafiltration. The device comprises a filtering assembly with at least one ultrafiltration membrane (6) inside a casing (10); a pump (5, 15), powered with electrical energy, configured for driving water to be filtered to said at least one ultrafiltration membrane (6); and an electric supply connection (2) for powering said pump (5) from a power supply. Said at least one ultrafiltration membrane is located in said casing (10) in a position in which it receives the feed flow of the water to be filtered by gravity or pressure; the electric power supply is provided by a battery included in a portable communication device (4); and the intensity of the current consumed by the pump (5, 15) is below 1.2 A, with a supply voltage of up to 24 V.

Abstract: A blood component collection system (10) includes a first internal pressure calculation unit (110) adapted to calculate a first internal pressure of a first pressed portion (60) using first calibration curve data (118), a second internal pressure calculation unit (112) adapted to calculate a second internal pressure of a second pressed portion (62) using second calibration curve data (120), and a correction unit (114) adapted to correct the first calibration curve data (118) in a manner so that the first internal pressure becomes equal to the second internal pressure in a state in which operation of a collection and returning pump (100) is stopped during at least one of a collection operation and a returning operation of a first cycle.

Abstract: A biological component collection system and a circuit internal pressure acquisition method are provided, which are capable of accurately measuring the circuit internal pressure. A centrifugal separation device of a blood component collection system comprises an estimated data calculation unit that calculates estimated data B on the basis of initial data A, and a correction unit that corrects the estimated data B in a manner so that the internal pressure calculated by a first internal pressure calculation unit becomes equivalent to the internal pressure calculated by a second internal pressure calculation unit.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation device of a blood component collection system comprises a data acquisition unit that acquires initial data A, an estimated data calculation unit that calculates estimated data B on the basis of the initial data A, a reaction force calculation unit which calculates a reaction force of a first applied load measurement unit on the basis of the estimated data B, and an internal pressure calculation unit that calculates an internal pressure of the first applied load measurement unit, based on the reaction force and a load detected by a first load detecting unit.

Abstract: A dialyzer composed of: first and second dialyzation chambers, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the first and second dialyzation chambers. Each of the chambers has a respective one of a blood inlet or outlet and a dialysate inlet or outlet arranged so that blood and dialysate flow in counter-current to one another in both chambers. The intermediate chamber is connected to form a dialysate-free blood flow passage between the blood chambers and is configured to maintain a substantially uniform blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing a patient's sensitivity to fluid removal from the patient's vascular system or to fluid replacement or addition with regard to the patient's hydration state, the method comprising the step of determining a value reflecting the distribution of fluid between at least two distribution spaces of the body of the patient or changes thereof from measured or calculated values, and assessing whether the value fulfills at least one criterion. It also relates to a controller, an apparatus, a device, a digital storage device, a computer program product, and a computer program.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing key commands received from a remote-control device are provided. The method and/or system may include receiving, at a device, a key command from the remote-control device, generating a first message that includes the key command, sending, from the device, the first message to a keystroke router, and determining, at the keystroke router, a system network controller associated with the device. Moreover, the keystroke router may send the key command to the system network controller.

Abstract: An artificial lung including a housing having a circular outer wall being enclosed by a first surface and a second surface to define an interior volume, a blood inlet port to permit inlet flow of blood to the housing, a blood outlet port to permit outlet flow of the blood from the housing, a gas inlet port to permit inlet flow of a gas to the housing, a gas outlet port to permit outlet flow of the gas from the housing, and a plurality of baffles concentrically disposed within the housing. The baffles are positioned to define a flow path between the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port. Each of the baffles includes a gate opening to permit flow of the blood along the flow path. A fiber bundle is disposed between the baffles within the flow create mixing and improve gas exchange efficiency.

Abstract: A method of draining a device for extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the device comprises a dialyzer which is divided by means of a membrane into a first chamber and a second chamber, an arterial line connected to a blood inlet of the first chamber, a venous line connected to a blood outlet of the first chamber, a dialysis fluid line for fresh dialysis fluid connected to a dialysis fluid inlet of the second chamber and a dialysis fluid line for used dialysis fluid connected to a dialysis fluid outlet of the second chamber, a blood pump disposed in the arterial line, a venous expansion chamber disposed in the venous line and an air detector unit downstream of the venous expansion chamber, and wherein the method comprises the following steps of: connecting a patient-side port of the arterial line to a patient-side port of the venous line; generating a negative pressure in the second chamber; operating the blood pump in a first direction and draining the arterial and venous lines in the first direction via

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus capable of achieving a simplified configuration and switching between hemodialysis treatment (HD), hemofiltration treatment (HF), and hemodiafiltration treatment (HDF) as well as selecting from pre-dilution, post-dilution and pre and post-dilution easily and smoothly.

Abstract: Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. The nanoclay sorbents are also useful for refreshing a dialysis fluid used in hemodialysis and thus reducing a quantity of the dialysis fluid needed for the hemodialysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an estimated risk of arrhythmia during or after dialysis based on changes in serum potassium concentration of a patient and an amount of fluid removed from the patient during dialysis. The systems and methods allow for a determination of a risk that arrhythmia will occur due to the changes in potassium and fluid volume of a patient during dialysis, and for optimizing a dialysis prescription in order to minimize the risk of arrhythmia.

Abstract: A method for pumping and oxygenating blood includes receiving a flow of gas including oxygen into a gas inlet manifold via a gas inlet. The flow of gas is passed through the hollow fibers from the gas inlet manifold to a gas outlet manifold. The flow of gas is output from the gas outlet manifold via a gas outlet. An impeller is rotated to generate a flow of blood that flows over the hollow fibers. Oxygen from the flow of gas is transferred to the flow of blood through the hollow fibers. Carbon dioxide is transferred from the flow of blood to the flow of gas through the hollow fibers.

Abstract: There are provided a blood purification apparatus and a priming method thereof which can reliably perform air bubble purging of a blood purification device while workability is maintained during priming. During the priming, an air purging step is performed by causing a blood pump to perform reverse rotation, and electromagnetic valves and are brought into an opened state so as to open the overflow line (L) and a priming solution supply line and so as to discharge a priming solution from an overflow line while supplying a dialysate functioning as the priming solution from the priming solution supply line.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a sensor (10) for emitting a signal indicating a variation in blood volume (?Bv?) of an individual (7) subjected to extracorporeal blood treatment and a sensor (14) for emitting a signal indicating a weight loss of the individual. A control unit (20) receives the signals, compares the ratio between the relative variation of blood volume (?Bv/BV) and the relative variation of weight loss (AWL/TW) of the individual with a desired value, and controls the weight loss of the individual on the basis of the comparison. The apparatus enables automatically controlling a dialysis, preventing some complications due to hypotension.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing the operations of fluid systems are provided. For example, this document provides variable-elevation drop tubes that are well suited for use with medical fluid reservoirs. While the variable-elevation drop tubes provided herein are described in the context of a medical fluid system, such as an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, it should be understood that the devices and methods provided herein are not limited to such contexts.

Abstract: An extracorporeal treatment assembly including a pump and a controller wherein an extracorporeal circuit is mounted to the assembly, the controller causes the assembly to: control the pump to pump liquid through the passage and the flow coupling; collect actual fluid pressure data; store circuit type data uniquely corresponding to a certain type of extracorporeal circuit; determine a dimension of the certain type of extracorporeal circuit; determine an expected fluid pressure for the certain type of extracorporeal circuit; based on a comparison of the actual fluid pressure data and the expected fluid pressure, determine whether the certain type of extracorporeal circuit corresponds to the actual extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus 1 is provided with a dialyzer 2 for performing hemodialysis, a blood circuit 3 connected to the dialyzer, a dialysis solution circuit 4 connected to the dialyzer, a replacement fluid port 31 provided in the dialysis solution circuit and capable of being opened and closed by a lid member, and a replacement fluid passage 6 having its one end connected to the blood circuit and the other end connected to the replacement fluid port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to devices and methods for pumping and controlling the flow of a fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to capacitive pumping and flow control devices and methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pump system having an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a chamber between and in communication with each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the chamber having at least one elastic surface, wherein the chamber will dilate in response to a fluid exerting a pressure on the elastic surface, contain a quantity of the fluid when so dilated, and discharge the quantity of the fluid through the opened outlet valve.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems, and methods for processing adipose tissue for reintroduction into a body. In some embodiments, adipose tissue is mixed with an additive prior to reintroduction.

Abstract: A blood treatment method is described that is adapted to at least partially eliminate the carbon dioxide content of the type comprising a step of drawing a blood flow. Advantageously according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of: acidifying the blood flow with transformation of the related blood bicarbonate content into gaseous carbon dioxide; and eliminating the gaseous carbon dioxide content by means of a pressure gradient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing blood from an extracorporeal blood circuit following termination of a blood treatment session, wherein blood is concurrently removed both from an arterial conduit portion and from a venous conduit portion of the extracorporeal blood circuit. It further relates to a method for recognizing and/or eliminating air inclusions in or from an extracorporeal blood circuit and a treatment apparatus as well as a tube system.

Abstract: Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method as well as a blood treatment unit for the implementation of this method for the best possible attainment of a predetermined substitution target during the ultrafiltration of blood. According to the invention, a method and a blood treatment unit for the implementation of the method is provided, wherein it is determined by detection of pressure measurement values in the blood treatment unit whether the calculated substitution target is achieved at the end of the dialysis session or not and in case of the result that the calculated substitution target cannot be achieved with the current dialysis parameters, an adjustment of the flow rate of blood, dialysate and/or substituate is performed in order to achieve the substitution target for a given treatment time in an optimal way or modify the treatment time for the given substitution target as little as possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating sensors, in particular RFID sensors, within an enclosure such as, e.g., a sterilization chamber. It furthermore relates to a sensor calibrated by the method of the invention, a disposable device including such a sensor, as well as a treatment device.

Abstract: An oxygenator includes: a housing; a hollow fiber membrane bundle stored in the housing and having multiple integrated hollow fiber membranes with a gas exchange function; a gas inlet portion and a gas outlet portion provided on the upstream and downstream of gas passages in lumens of the hollow fiber membranes, respectively; a blood inlet portion and a blood outlet portion provided on the upstream and downstream of blood passages outside the hollow fiber membranes, respectively; a first filter member provided on the hollow fiber membrane bundle in contact with a blood outlet portion side surface so as to cover substantially the entire surface and has a function to catch bubbles in blood; and a second filter member that is separated from the first filter member, positioned between the first filter member and the blood outlet portion, and has a function to catch bubbles in blood.

Abstract: An integrated centrifugal blood pump-oxygenator (1) which has a housing (2) with a top (3) having a blood inlet (4), a blood outlet (5) and a gas inlet (6), and a bottom (7) having a rotational body (8) being rotatably arranged in a rotor-housing (9) of the bottom (7). The integrated centrifugal blood pump-oxygenator (1) further has an oxygenator membrane (10) provided in an interior (11) of the housing (2), wherein in the operation state oxygen (12) is transferred from the gas inlet (6) through the oxygenator membrane (10) to a gas outlet (13) and blood (14) is brought in direct contact with the oxygenator membrane (10) by pumping the blood (14) with the rotational body (8) from the blood inlet (4) to the blood outlet (5). The rotational body (8) is magnetically journalled in a contact-free manner with respect to the rotor-housing (9). There is an extracorporeal life support system (1000), and a method of de-bubbling and priming a extracorporeal life support system (1000).

Abstract: A pressure sensor for a medical injection system includes a cuff, a transducer embedded in the cuff, and a force transmitting member coupled to the transducer and exposed at an inner surface of the cuff, such that an outer surface of a tubing line of a fluid circuit of the system, when fitted within the cuff, contacts the force transmitting member. A limited length of the tubing line may have a greater compliance than a remainder of the line, in which case, the pressure sensor cuff fits around and encloses the limited length to provide support against plastic deformation, when pressures within the line are significantly greater than atmospheric. The pressure sensor may detect whether or not the cuff is properly fitted around the tubing line, and/or determine a characteristic of the tubing line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for priming a line for adding a medical solution, the line branching off a return line of an extracorporeal blood circuit, in particular a calcium line, a control device for controlling or regulating the method according to the present invention and a blood or plasma treatment apparatus with at least the control device according to the present invention. It further relates to a digital storage medium, a computer program product as well as a computer program.

Abstract: A retrograde flow system is configured for treating an artery. The system includes an arterial access device adapted to be introduced into an artery and receive blood flow from the artery. A shunt fluidly is connected to the arterial access device, wherein the shunt provides a pathway for blood to flow from the arterial access device to a return site. A flow control assembly is coupled to the shunt and is adapted to regulate blood flow through the shunt between at least a first blood flow state and at least a second blood flow state. A shut-off valve assembly automatically blocks fluid flow through the shunt in response to injection of the fluid into the arterial access device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calculation and control system for the determination of the state of a vascular access of a patient intended to follow successive sessions of extracorporeal blood treatment by extraction and return of the blood via the vascular access, the system comprising: means for determining the value of at least one hemodynamic extracorporeal parameter of the patient for at least two sessions; means for determining the value of the purification effectiveness of the treatment for at least two sessions; programmed means for determining a risk score relating to the state of the vascular access of the patient as a function of at least two values of the hemodynamic extracorporeal parameter and of at least two determined values of the purification effectiveness.

Abstract: A system or method automates and optimizes citrate anticoagulant supplementation in a blood filtration circuit during CRRT. A processor-based control system interfaces with a blood filtration circuit to detect patient blood flow into the circuit, detect fluid loss through a hemofilter, and sense vital electrolyte concentrations in the blood flow, and in response, control the addition of citrate, substitution fluid, and electrolyte supplements to ensure stability of plasma concentrations in post-dilution flow returned to the patient. The controller executes the method embodied as process control algorithms for calculating an optimal citrate flow rate as a function of selected, detected, and calculated system parameters. Citrate may be added to the circuit separately, or as part of a substitution solution or a dialysate.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump: first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing extracorporeal blood circulation and oxygenation control include seven-stage de-airing of blood to provide automated cardiopulmonary replacement to sustain patient life during a medical procedure comprising repairing or replacing the heart valve in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the removal of toxic substances from dialysate fluid, blood or blood plasma, said device comprising i) a sorption-filter (E) for removing toxins, toxic solutes, toxic small and middle-sized molecules and protein bound toxins from the dialysate fluid, blood or bloodplasma, said sorption filter comprising a nanostructured material, a porous polymer matrix or a combination of the two, ii) an inlet (4) for entry of dialysate fluid, blood or blood plasma into said device, iii) an outlet (5) for the removal of purified dialysate fluid, blood or blood plasma from said device, and iv) a conduit connecting said inlet with said outlet and holding said sorption filter such that said dialysate fluid, blood or blood plasma is forced through said sorption filter.

Abstract: An automatic locking system for a medical treatment device helps to ensure that an assistant is present during treatment of a patient. Among the features disclosed biometric authentication to verify that a trained assistant is present, a presence detector to ensure the assistant is continuously present during treatment, and warning and recovery processes that allow intermittent lapses in the continuous presence of the assistant.

Abstract: A blood reservoir may be used in combination with other elements such as a heart lung machine (HLM), oxygenator, heat exchanger, arterial filter and the like to form an extracorporeal blood circuit that may be employed in a procedure such as a bypass procedure. The blood reservoir may be configured to receive, filter and store blood from a number of sources including vent blood (from within the heart), venous blood (from a major vein), purge blood (from a sampling line) and cardiotomy or suction blood (from the surgical field).

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source, an ED/EDI unit. The carbon source, urease source, and/or the ED/EDI unit can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprising a blood treatment device (2) having a semipermeable membrane (5) which separates a blood chamber (3) from a fluid chamber (4). A used fluid line (7) connects the fluid chamber to a used fluid discharge. A first pump (8) controls the ultrafiltration through the semipermeable membrane. A second pump (9) arranged in the used fluid line downstream of the first pump keeps pressure between the first and the second pump at a constant predetermined value. The invention provides a protection system against any possible pressure change in the used fluid discharge in a hemodialysis or hemo(dia)filtration apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for salvaging blood cells from an absorbent material are disclosed. In one exemplary aspect, such as system includes a rotatable basin having perforations to allow rinse solution from a stationary basin to reversibly flow therethrough to wash the blood cells from the absorbent material, thereby forming an effluent solution. The system further includes a hemoconcentrator in fluid communication with the stationary basin having first and second fluid outputs for discharging a diluent solution and a blood cell discharge solution from the effluent solution respectively. The blood cells can be salvaged from the blood cell discharge solution. The second fluid output is in fluid communication with the stationary basin for recycling the diluent solution as the rinse solution.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary bypass system utilizing membrane-based reciprocating positive displacement blood pumps (“pod pumps”). In one aspect, the pod pumps are constructed to provide reduced shear forces on the blood being pumped. In another aspect blood flow through the pod pumps can be controlled by a controller using information from pressure sensors in the control chamber of the pod pumps. In another aspect, the pod pumps are included on a disposable unit that can be received and held by a receptacle means on a base unit, the base unit also providing pressurized control fluid to the pod pumps on the disposable unit through the receptacle means.