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: 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: 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 method for determining a significant parameter (Cb, D, K, Kt/V) of the progress of an extracorporeal blood treatment carried-out using a membrane exchanger, includes the steps of successively circulating three treatment fluids through the exchanger. Each fluid has a characteristic Cd linked to at least one of the significant parameters of the treatment (Cb, D, K, Kt/V). The value of the characteristic in the first fluid upstream of the exchanger is different from the value of the characteristic in the second fluid upstream of the exchanger, the latter being itself different from the value of the characteristic in the third fluid upstream of the exchanger. Two values for each of the three treatment fluids are measured, respectively upstream and downstream of the exchanger, and at least one value of at least one significant parameter of the progress of the treatment (Cb, D, K, Kt/V) is calculated from the measured values.

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: 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: 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.