Abstract: A method for disinfection of the hydraulic circuit of a dialysis machine, comprising an inlet (E) for connection to an external water source and a plurality of open lines (1, 2, 4a, 4b, 26) intended to be connected, in an operational configuration of the machine, to different consumable accessories, comprises the steps of:closing the open lines on the hydraulic circuit in such a way as to form a closed network of lines;bringing a reservoir (40) containing a concentrated disinfection liquid into communication with the hydraulic circuit, in proximity to the inlet;instigating a proportional flow of water and of concentrated disinfection liquid in the hydraulic circuit in such a way as to produce a first liquid having a bactericidal action;interrupting the flow of water and of concentrated disinfection liquid when the hydraulic circuit is filled with bactericidal liquid, the initial volume of concentrated disinfection liquid in the reservoir being chosen such that at the end of the filling of the hydraulic circui

Abstract: An artificial kidney includes measurement structure for measuring at least one physical characteristic of a fresh dialysis liquid and of used liquid. The measurement structure are disposed in a line portion common to a branch circuit to the feeder line of fresh dialysis liquid and to a branch circuit to the discharge line for the used liquid. Occluding structure permit the liquid to circulate exclusively in one or the other branch circuit. Due to this arrangement, it is possible to obtain the value of the physical characteristics of a patient's blood by calculation as frequently as desired, and to adjust the operation of the kidney permanently to a therapeutic objective set by the physician.

Abstract: A main line for delivering a medical solution is connected at one end to a source of liquid. A secondary line is connected at two locations to the main line, bypassing a portion of the main line. A reservoir containing a particulate product is located in the secondary line. During a priming step, liquid is pumped to the reservoir in order to pressurize the reservoir and fill the reservoir to sufficiently immerse the particulate product. This priming step prevents the formation of agglomerates and preferential paths through particulate product. After the reservoir is primed, a fraction of liquid flowing through the main line is diverted into the reservoir and then routed back to the main line to introduce a solution of liquid and particulate product into the main line.

Abstract: An artificial kidney dosing method includes the steps of connecting a patient to an exchanger having first and second compartments separated by a semipermeable membrane. The first compartment is connected to a circuit for extracorporeal blood circulation, and the second compartment has an outlet for draining a waste liquid. After the patient is connected to the exchanger, a perfusion liquid containing a substance (A) is perfused to the patient. The concentration of substance (A) in the blood of the patient is adjusted to a desired concentration {A}.sub.DES, by controlling a flow rate (Q.sub.A) of the perfusion liquid as a function of (1) a flow rate (Q.sub.OUT) of the waste liquid; (2) the desired concentration {A}.sub.DES ; and (3) a concentration {A}.sub.SOL of substance (A) in the perfusion liquid, whereby during this adjustment, a transfer of substance {A} through the semipermeable membrane is taken into account.

Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus includes a sensor which is sensitive to a variation in gas pressure and which generates signals indicative of sensed pressures. The apparatus also included a casing divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a flexible membrane, the first compartment having at least one orifice for the introduction of the liquid, and the second compartment being connectable in a leaktight manner to the pressure sensor. A pump is provided to vary a quantity of gas in the second compartment, and a controller is provided to regulate the pump as a function of variations in pressure generated in the second compartment. The controller is configured to receive signals from the sensor and to cause, through the pump, at least two successive pressure variations, having opposite directions, in the second compartment so as to adjust said position of the membrane between a wall of the casing bounding the first compartment and a wall of the casing bounding the second compartment.

Abstract: A device for treatment of blood by extracorporeal circulation comprises a dialysis liquid circuit having a supply tube (9a, 9b) on which is arranged a filter (21) having a first chamber and a second chamber (22, 23) which are separated by a filtering membrane (24), the supply tube having a first portion (9a) connecting a dialysis liquid source (10) to an inlet of the first chamber (22), and a second portion (9b) having an end connected to an outlet of the second chamber (23) of the filter (21) and another end which can be connected to an inlet of a compartment (3) of a dialyzer (1) with semipermeable membrane (4). A feedback tube (25) connects the inlet of the first chamber (22) of the filter (21) to the outlet of the first chamber (22). A flushing pump (26) is arranged on the feedback tube (25) for circulating liquid in the first chamber (22) of the filter (21) and causing cleaning of the membrane (24) by tangential flushing.

Abstract: An artificial kidney comprises an exchanger (1) having two compartments (2, 3) separated by a semipermeable membrane (4), a first compartment (2) being connected to a circuit (5, 7) for extracorporeal blood circulation, the second compartment (3) having an outlet for draining waste liquid. Means (22, 25) are provided for controlling the flow rate (Q.sub.A) of a sterile solution containing a substance (A) to be perfused into the circuit (5, 7) for conveying a flow of blood outside the body, which flow rate is controlled as a function of the flow rate (Q.sub.OUT) of waste liquid. This kidney makes it possible to dose a substance such as a medicine, glucose or bicarbonate, accurately into the blood of a patient undergoing treatment by hemofiltration, hemodialysis, or hemodiafiltration.

Abstract: A device for detecting a conduit and for determining at least one characteristic of its content includes a seat for housing at least a portion of the conduit. The seat has first and second zones which are opposite each other with respect to a recess intended to receive the conduit. A light emitter is arranged in the first zone, and has a preferential emission direction oriented towards the recess. A receptor sensitive to the light emitted by the emitter also has a preferential reception direction oriented towards the recess. A first deflector deflects light in the direction of the first zone when a conduit containing a substantially transparent liquid is engaged in the seat.

Abstract: An artificial kidney comprises an exchanger (1) having two compartments (2, 3) separated by a semipermeable membrane (4), a first compartment (2) being connected to a circuit (5, 7) for extracorporeal blood circulation, the second compartment (3) having an outlet for draining waste liquid. Means (22, 25) are provided for controlling the flow rate (Q.sub.A) of a sterile solution containing a substance (A) to be perfused into the circuit (5, 7) for conveying a flow of blood outside the body, which flow rate is controlled as a function of the flow rate (Q.sub.OUT) of waste liquid. This kidney makes it possible to dose a substance such as a medicine, glucose or bicarbonate, accurately into the blood of a patient undergoing treatment by hemofiltration, hemodialysis, or hemodiafiltration.

Abstract: A device and method for injecting a sterile pyrogen free fluid uses a main filter having first and second compartments separated by a porous membrane. The first compartment has an inlet connected to a source of fluid to be filtered, and the second compartment has an outlet connected to an injection line. A pump is provided for circulating the fluid through the main filter and into the injection line. A secondary filter is provided downstream of the main filter and, in combination with pressure sensors, is used to determine if a rupture exists in the main filter.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for controlling the balance of fluids during an extracorporeal blood treatment session, according to which treatment, a certain quantity of liquid is withdrawn from the blood which is compensated for by the injection of a substitute liquid into the extracorporeal circuit. A recirculation circuit is provided and pressure is monitored. A pressure deviation within the recirculation circuit reflects a change in the balance between the quantity of liquid withdrawn from the blood and the quantity of liquid injected into the blood, and injection and/or withdrawal rates are altered to obtain a desired balance. The device and method are especially applicable to haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration and plasmapheresis.

Abstract: A device for preparing a solution for medical use from a liquid and at least one powdered or crystallized salt, comprising:a main line (11) having a first end connected to a source (10) of liquid and a second end for delivering the solution,at least one secondary line (15, 19; 16, 20) joined as a by-pass to the main line (11), this secondary line comprising a reservoir (13, 14) containing a powdered or crystallized salt and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening situated respectively at a high point and a low point of the reservoir (13, 14),means (12, 21, 22) for causing liquid to circulate in the lines,means (17, 21; 18, 22) for producing the immersion of the powdered or crystallized salt in the reservoir (13, 14).

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a plurality of bundles of semipermeable hollow fibers for a membrane device from a sheet of fibers (19) formed by winding a fiber or a stranded set of fibers (11) on a drum (1, 2) consists in:cutting the sheet of fibers (19) on the drum (1, 2) along a line of cut that is substantially parallel to the axis of the drum (1, 2);laying out the sheet of fibers (19) on a plane (14);rolling up the sheet of fibers (19) in a direction perpendicular to the line of cut to form a single bundle of fibers (45); andcutting up the single bundle of fibers (45) into a plurality of bundles for a membrane device.

Abstract: The invention is a method for checking the operation of at least one sensor situated in a dialysis liquid circuit of an artificial kidney. The method includes causing a reference liquid of known characteristics to circulate in the extracorporeal blood circuit, taking a measurement to check at least one characteristic of the dialysis liquid by means of the sensor, calculating the theoretical value of at least one characteristic of the reference liquid on the basis of the measurement, comparing the calculated theoretical value with the known value of the said characteristic of the reference liquid, concluding that the sensor is working properly after the measurement has been taken when the calculated theoretical value is substantially equal to the known value. A device for the application of this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for setting the level of a liquid in a chamber of an extracorporeal blood circuit. The chamber contains liquid in its lower portion and air in its upper portion. It is connected to a pump for causing the quantity of air to vary in the chamber. According to the invention, the chamber is provided with a level detector that transmits data to a control unit. The control unit actuates an air pump to vary the amount of air in the chamber and thereby ensures that the liquid level in the chamber is equal to a desired level.

Abstract: The artificial kidney includes an exchanger having two compartments separated by a semipermeable membrane, the first compartment of which is connected to a circuit for conveying a flow of blood outside the body. A source of treatment liquid is provided, and a control unit selectively connects the source to either the inlet of the second compartment of the exchanger or to the blood circuit as a function of the transmembrane pressure. This kidney provides optimum purification treatment for patients suffering from temporary kidney failure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the calibration of a pair of sensors placed in a dialysis circuit. The method includes performing at least one step for determining an auxiliary calibration coefficient for the intake sensor, performing at least one step for determining an auxiliary calibration coefficient for the outlet sensor, and in determining on the basis of at least one auxiliary calibration coefficient, a new calibration coefficient for the two sensors.

Abstract: A single needle extracorporeal blood circuit for connection to a blood treatment device includes an arterial portion having an arterial reservoir, an end for connection to the needle, an end for connection to the blood treatment device, and a first valve for flow communicating the needle with the arterial reservoir. The blood circuit also includes a venous portion having a venous reservoir, an end for connection to the blood treatment device, an end for connection to the needle, and a second valve for flow communicating the needle with the venous reservoir. Detectors monitor quantities of liquid in the arterial and venous reservoirs so that the first valve is opened in response to the presence of a first predetermined quantity of liquid in the arterial reservoir or a second predetermined quantity of liquid in the venous reservoir.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a plurality of bundles of semipermeable hollow fibers for a membrane device from a sheet of fibers (19) formed by winding a fiber or a stranded set of fibers (11) on a drum (1, 2) consists in:cutting the sheet of fibers (19) on the drum (1, 2) along a line of cut that is substantially parallel to the axis of the drum (1, 2);laying out the sheet of fibers (19) on a plane (14);rolling up the sheet of fibers (19) in a direction perpendicular to the line of cut to form a single bundle of fibers (45); andcutting up the single bundle of fibers (45) into a plurality of bundles for a membrane device.