Abstract: A blood access device including a fluid conduit configured to convey a flow of fluid to a target vessel, a second lever element pivotally and resiliently connected to a first lever element such that it may move from a first position to a second position. A biasing force is exerted on the second lever element for moving it from the first position to the second position, and a blocking member may be activated by the second lever element, such that a flow of fluid is decreased when the second lever element is moved from the first position to the second position. The lever elements are configured to be fixed to the target vessel when the second lever element is in the first position, and the second lever element moves to the second position and activates the blocking member if the fixation is at least partially lost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the presence of blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit are disclosed. A control unit, which is connected to a blood detector and to one or several pressure sensors, determines whether blood is present in the membrane device based on the differential pressure there over and generates a signal if the presence of blood as detected by the blood detector and the presence of blood as determined based on the differential pressure value do not coincide with each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the presence of a fluid conduit at a predetermined location and at least one characteristic of the fluid in the conduit are disclosed. The apparatus includes a light source for generating radiated light in a direction towards the predetermined location, such that when the fluid conduit is present at the predetermined location the radiated light passes in a direction through the fluid conduit, a first optical sensor for detecting the radiated light through the fluid conduit, and a second optical sensor for detecting the radiated light which is reflected by the fluid conduit.