Abstract: The present invention discloses a new concurrent dialysate cartridge purification system for hemodialysis, particularly, a purification system whereby apatite and/or calcium phosphate and sodium polyphosphate are substituted for the standard zirconium oxide and zirconium phosphate, respectively. The concurrent dialysate cartridge purification system is comprised of multiple layers and at least one or more cation and/or anion exchange layer and at least one or more purification layer. One advantage of the concurrent dialysate cartridge purification system is the cost effectiveness of apatite and/or calcium phosphate and sodium polyphosphate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vascular access device for hemodialysis, particularly, a transcutaneous access device. The transcutaneous access is optionally connected to one or more subcutaneous blood tubing and one or more sterile connectors which attach to the device and keeps the device sterile from external contamination when not in use. Advantages of the transcutaneous access include the elimination of the need to apply local anesthetic to the patient in order locate the access, the unnecessary bleeding or bruising of the patient and the reduction of total time of the dialysis procedure.

Abstract: An improved method for hemodialysis employing reverse osmosis raises the pH of the blood to preserve the activity of the enzyme lysozyme to improve immune function and reduce the risk of infection in dialysis. In general, this method comprises: (1) removing arterial blood from a patient in need of hemodialysis; (2) increasing the pH of the arterial blood to a value of about 7.8 by adding a sufficient quantity of a 5% solution of sodium chloride buffered to a pH value of 7.9; (3) passing the arterial blood from step (b) through a dialyzer operating by reverse osmosis; (4) adding a pH-reducing agent selected from the group consisting of acetate buffer and dextran sulfate to reduce the pH of the blood to its normal value; (5) passing the blood from step (4) through a dialyzer operating by reverse osmosis to remove antigen; and (6) returning the blood to the patient.