Abstract: A device for measuring the pressure of blood in a pipe (44) of an extracoporeal blood cicuit, includes a pressure measurement section (46) having a compartment (58) which is delimited especially by a main wall (64) and by a secondary wall (65) facing it. The two walls (64, 65) have a hole (66, 84) which is closed by a closure element (68, 86) which can be elastically deformed under the effect of the blood pressure, and the compartment (58) has a spacer (94) which transmits the movements from the closure element (86) of the secondary wall (65) to the closure element (68) of the main wall (64), so that a load sensor (56) can measure a force which corresponds to a so-called “negative” blood pressure.

Abstract: A device for preparing a sterile liquid includes structure for validating a sterilization treatment applied to the liquid. The validating structure includes structure for calculating, from at least one operating parameter of the device, a parameter representing a sterilizing value for the sterilization treatment, and structure for comparing the calculated parameter to a threshold value corresponding to the sterility of the liquid.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for measuring the pressure of blood in a pipe (44) of an extracorporeal blood circuit (42) comprising a pressure measurement section (46) having a substantially rigid wall (64) including a hole (66) which is sealed by a closure element (68), the internal face (70) of which is in contact with the blood and the external face (72) of which is in contact with the ambient air, it being possible for the closure element (68) to be elastically deformed overall along a deformation axis (A-A) under the effect of the blood pressure, characterized in that the closure element (68) is made in a single piece with the associated rigid wall (64) of the pressure measurement section (46).

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for measuring the pressure of blood in a pipe (44) of an extracoporeal blood cicuit, comprising a pressure measurement section (46) having a compartment (58) which is delimited especially by a main wall (64) and by a secondary wall (65) facing it, characterized in that the two walls (64, 65) have a hole (66, 84) which is closed by a closure element (68, 86) which can be elastically deformed under the effect of the blood pressure, and in that the compartment (58) has a spacer (94) which transmits the movements from the closure element (86) of the secondary wall (65) to the closure element (68) of the main wall (64), so that a load sensor (56) can measure a force which corresponds to a so-called “negative” blood pressure.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for measuring the pressure of blood, intended to engage with a section (16) for measuring the pressure of blood, which section comprises a membrane (38) which is axially deformable under the effect of the blood pressure and which is designed to be mounted on a support structure (20, 22) bearing especially a load sensor (26) arranged substantially facing the membrane (38), characterized in that it comprises controlled means (58) for the relative axial displacement of the sensitive member (52) of the load sensor (26), with respect to the support structure (20, 22), so that the axial position of the sensitive member (52) can be adjusted with respect to the external face (42) of the membrane (38), especially for the purpose of carrying out an initial calibration operation.

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 an exchanger (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: 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 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: An integrated blood treatment fluid module is provided having particular multi-function application in the treatment of renal failure. The module comprises a support member, a blood treatment device mounted to the support member, and multiple fluid circuits, wherein a plurality of the fluid circuits are interconnected to the support member and at least one of the fluid circuits is fluidly connected to the blood treatment device. At least two of the fluid circuits are interconnected with the support member so as to have a portion of each disposed in a U-shape, each U-shape portion extending in a different direction, for selective positioning about a corresponding peristaltic pump of a blood treatment apparatus. For renal treatment applications, the blood conditioning device may be a hemofiltration device, hemodialysis device or high-flux dialyzer.

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: A device for eliminating bubbles of gas from a liquid comprises a channel of varying section for the liquid, the channel having a high point for collecting bubbles under gravity, and means for dynamically concentrating bubbles upstream from the high point, said means being constituted by a curved length of the channel situated upstream from the high point. This type of device is used in a variety of technical fields as a component in hydraulic circuits where the presence of bubbles of gas is undesirable.

Abstract: A blood treatment apparatus having a circuit for circulating blood outside the body and designed to be connected to a patient via a single needle, including a blood treatment device such as a heamodialyzer, pumps for causing blood to flow through the circuit, a first blood expansion chamber located in the circuit upstream of the blood treatment device for temporarily storing a volume of blood to be treated, a second blood expansion chamber located downstream of the blood treatment device for temporarily storing a volume of treated blood, first and second pressure regulators, connected to the first and second blood expansion chambers, for adjusting pressure in the blood expansion chambers, and a controller for interacting with the regulators to maintain a substantially constant pressure in each of the first and second chambers during a treatment session.