Abstract: Blood filtering device (1), comprising: * a filter body (3; 103), having an inlet port (4; 104) for blood to be filtered; * a delivery flexible hose (5; 105) of the blood to be filtered, apt to be connected to said inlet port (4; 104) and to further ducts linked to a circulatory system; * peristaltic pump means (10; 105, 109, 114, 115, 117, 118, 143, 144, 145), wherein a case (16; 116) forms at least one peristaltic pump rotor chamber (13; 114), apt to house inside a portion of said delivery flexible hose (5; 105) for obtaining a peristaltic effect, wherein said case (16; 116) defines means for maintaining said filter body (3; 103) in a working position.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration device adapted to be worn on a portion of the body of a patient includes a blood inlet tube leading from a first blood vessel, a blood pump, an anticoagulant reservoir for infusing anticoagulants into the blood, a blood filter including a substrate through which the blood is circulated and filtered, a fluid bag for storing the excess fluid and a blood outlet tube leading to a second blood vessel.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a cycler operable with a disposable cassette, the cassette connected to a patient line, the cassette capable of fluid communication with a catheter having access to a patient's peritoneal cavity, the cycler configured to: (i) convey dialysis fluid to the peritoneal cavity through the patient line and the catheter during a patient fill phase; (ii) allow the dialysis fluid to dwell within the peritoneal cavity during a patient dwell phase; (iii) convey dialysis fluid away from the peritoneal cavity through the patient line and the catheter during a patient drain phase; and (iv) sense, at first and second sensing locations of the disposable cassette via first and second pressure sensors, an intraperitoneal pressure through the catheter to optimize an amount of fluid conveyed during the patient fill phase, so that the peritoneal cavity is not overpressurized during the patient dwell phase.

Abstract: A novel system and method for fluid management for accurate continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CWH) in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The fluid management or CWH system is automated and configured for operation as a stand alone unit and can be easily integrated with an ECMO system. The fluid management system is capable of producing either perfect or negative fluid balance between ultrafiltrate removal and replacement fluid delivery. The fluid management system can achieve electrolyte replacement over a range of flow rates needed to care for patients ranging from neonates to adults. Finally, the novel fluid management system preserves patient safety, maintains sterility during operation, is easy to operate, and is compact enough to fit near a patient's bed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of removing a deleterious substance bound to a protein in blood of a patient by introducing a displacer substance into the blood under conditions in which the displacer substance replaces deleterious substance bound to the protein, thereby resulting in additional unbound deleterious substance in the blood, and removing unbound deleterious substance from the blood by extracorporeal renal replacement treatment.

Abstract: A method for batch implementation of settings in a renal replacement therapy device including: displaying on a user interface control settings which may be manually selected by an operator; selecting an independent control setting of the plurality of control settings; adjusting the independent control setting to an independent control setting level selected by an operator; temporarily storing the adjusted independent control setting level; automatically adjusting a dependent control setting level based upon the independent control level; displaying the adjusted independent control setting level and the adjusted dependent control setting, and implementing both the adjusted independent control setting level and the adjusted dependent control setting to control the device, by actuating a batch setting acceptance operation.

Abstract: A method to treat cancer uses ultrapheresis, refined to remove compounds of less than 120,000 daltons molecular weight, followed by administration of replacement fluid, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack solid tumors. In the preferred embodiment, the patient is ultrapheresed using a capillary tube ultrafilter having a pore size of 0.02 to 0.05 microns, with a molecular weight cutoff of 120,000 daltons, sufficient to filter one blood volume. The preferred replacement fluid is ultrapheresed normal plasma. The patient is preferably treated daily for three weeks, diagnostic tests conducted to verify that there has been shrinkage of the tumors, then the treatment regime is repeated. The treatment is preferably combined with an alternative therapy, for example, treatment with an anti-angiogenic compound, one or more cytokines such as TNF, gamma interferon, or IL-2, or a procoagulant compound. The treatment increases endogenous, local levels of cytokines, such as TNF.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a blood filter; a dialysate pump connected to a dialysate portion of the blood filter; a blood pump connected to a blood portion of the blood filter, the blood pump including a diaphragm that is moved in cycles to pump the blood, the cycles having a flow period and a no-flow period; a patient access device in fluid communication with the blood portion of the blood filter, the no-flow period having a first characteristic of a property when the patient access device is lodged in a patient and a second characteristic of the property when the patient access device is dislodged from the patient; and a logic implementer configured to determine that the patient access device has been dislodged from the patient when the second characteristic of the parameter is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dialysis machine that is readily moved by a patient, nurse or other operator. A display is provided on the front of the machine, which displays and controls various dialysis functions. The display is robust, mounted directly to the body and includes an open area that can be grasped by a person to move the entire machine. The combination display/handle enables the person to move the machine from the front of same and from odd angles with respect to the machine.

Abstract: A medical fluid management apparatus which includes a plurality of processor systems with respectively associated software programs. The fluid management apparatus has a fluid treatment component and/or a fluid source which can be connected to a patient via a fluid line. The processor systems are connected via a data transfer system to a data input apparatus via which an updating of the software programs belonging to the respective processor systems can take place. After actuation of an operating mode switch, a detection system, while taking into account the existing version of the software programs and/or the existing processor systems, determines which software programs have to be loaded via the data input apparatus. The medical fluid management apparatus allows a simple and user-friendly updating of the operating software even with a complex design of the apparatus.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a removable cassette defining a flexible pump chamber and a pressure sensing area that is fluidly connected to the pump chamber wherein, during operation of the peritoneal dialysis system, peritoneal dialysis fluid is contained in the pump chamber; and a peritoneal dialysis machine configured to secure the removable cassette, peritoneal dialysis machine including (i) a pressure sensor positioned to align with and to contact the pressure sensing area of the removable cassette when the removable cassette is secured to the peritoneal dialysis machine, and (ii) a controller connected to the pressure sensor and adapted to change the operation of the peritoneal dialysis machine in response to changes in pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor and the pressure sensing area are arranged so that the pressure sensor measures a pressure of fluid in a fluid passage between the pump chamber and a patient during operation of the peritoneal dialysis system.

Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel standardized citrate replacement fluid solutions and a standardized dialysate solution for use with CRRT methods. The standardized citrate replacement fluid solutions and standardized dialysate solutions do not require modification based on the clinical status of the individual patients. The use of the standardized solutions described herein offers significant advantages over the prior art solutions used in CRRT. The present disclosure describes superior metabolic and electrolyte control and significantly increased dialyzer patency in: (a) 24 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ARF using a 0.67% trisodium citrate replacement fluid solution, and (b) 32 ICU patients with ARF using a 0.5% trisodium citrate replacement fluid solution. Both groups were treated with Bicarbonate-25 dialysate and achieved effluent rates of 35 mL/kg/hr.

Abstract: The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable solutes.

Abstract: A low flow blood chamber for optically monitoring blood flowing through extracorporeal tubing has a flat elongated blood flow cavity but preserves the circular viewing area of conventional blood chambers. The blood chamber provides consistent, mixed flow through the blood cavity even at low blood flow rates, e.g. 10 to 500 ml/min., while maintaining certain dimensional characteristics of conventional blood chambers.

Abstract: A renal treatment fluid priming method includes priming an extracorporeal circuit connected to a patient with a physiologically compatible fluid, the extracorporeal circuit including an arterial line, a venous line and blood compartment of a blood filter; and pumping from a renal treatment fluid line in communication with the blood filter (i) pulling blood from the patient through the arterial line to flush the physiologically compatible fluid through the arterial line and the blood filter compartment into the renal treatment fluid line and (ii) pulling blood from the patient through the venous line to flush the physiologically compatible fluid through the venous line and the blood filter compartment into the renal treatment fluid line, such that a greater volume of blood is pulled from the patient via (i) and (ii) than a volume of the extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes a dialysis instrument having a pump actuator and first and second valve actuators, and a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette including a pump portion operable with the pump actuator, first and second valve chambers operable with the first and second valve actuators, the first and second valve chambers communicating fluidly with each other, at least the first valve chamber communicating fluidly with a compliance chamber, the compliance chamber negating a first backpressure due to a pneumatic closing pressure used to close the first valve chamber to help to ensure the pneumatic pressure applied to the first valve chamber will close the first valve chamber against a second backpressure from an existing closure of the second valve chamber.

Abstract: A cassette is described for holding circuit components used with a hemodialysis machine.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.

Abstract: A machine (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a device (2) for ultrafiltration of a liquid through a semi-permeable membrane (3) of a blood treatment device (4), a first sensor (11) for ultrafiltration rate through the membrane, a second group of sensors (13) for measuring a trans-membrane pressure, and a programmed controller (14) for calculating a maximum ultrafiltration rate as a function of the transmembrane pressure. The machine is suitable for kidney failure treatments, such as hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. In a relatively short time the machine enables a large quantity of corporeal blood to be removed from the patient.

Abstract: To accomplish isolation and removal of a substance from a vasculature, a catheter is employed to occlude a vessel of the vasculature. The substance is thus isolated in the vasculature and can be removed. In this way, the substance is removed before entering other parts of the circulatory system. This method is applicable to removal of contrast from the coronary sinus shortly after injection of the coronary arteries with the contrast. The method substantially minimizes or avoids renal dysfunction caused by angiographic procedures in which contrast must be injected. Such angiographic procedures are often performed during intervention procedures. This method substantially prevents circulation of the contrast to the kidneys where it could otherwise cause renal dysfunction or failure. The apparatus for implementation of the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.

Abstract: A one-piece bearing is provided for use with a fluid processing assembly of the type having an umbilicus, a bearing support, a gimbal received within the bearing support, and a liner at least partially received within the gimbal. The bearing is secured to a midsection of the umbilicus and adapted to be at least partially received within the liner. An inner surface of the bearing engages the umbilicus while an outer surface of the bearing engages at least a portion of the liner for rotation relative to the liner.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1) comprises a user interface (30), a number of sensors (16,27,21,22,29) and a control system (18) programmed for displaying on the user interface screen (31) a number of indicia (37), each relating to a corresponding parameter and comprising an indicium border (45) delimiting an indicium selection area (45a); the control system allows selection of an indicium for identifying the parameter a user intends to modify, allows setting of a new set value for the selected parameter; the control system also receives from the sensors (29) a measure of the actual value for the parameter and displays on the indicium selection area (45a) of the indicium both the actual value and the set value for the same parameter. The programming software for the control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for removing undesirable material from vessels and from chambers within the heart is provided. The system includes a suction cannula for removing the undesirable material from a site of interest within a patient. A filter device may be provided for capturing the undesirable material and removing it from the fluid flow. The system also includes pump for generating the necessary suction force through the suction cannula to dislodge the undesirable material from the site of interest and for generating a sufficient driving force to direct the fluid flow downstream within the system. The system further includes a reinfusion cannula for introducing fluid removed from the site of interest back into a patient. A method for removing undesirable material from vessels and from heart chambers is also provided.

Abstract: Method for in-vivo plasmapheresis utilizing a plurality of elongated hollow microporous filter fibers periodically interrupt diffusion of blood plasma from a patient, and, for a selected time, directing backflush fluid into the fibers at a pressure and interval sufficient to cleanse the fiber pores, after which plasma diffusion is resumed. The backflush fluid, preferably a normal saline solution, may contain an anticoagulant such as heparin, citrate or NO donor in suitable concentration for systemic anti-coagulation or for treating the fiber for thromboresistance.

Abstract: An article and method to treat extracorporeally a patient's bodily fluid. The bodily fluid can include blood, cerebral spinal fluid and lymph. A first stage of the method includes applying a treatment. The treatment can comprise dosing with a medication, thermal treatment, or irradiation. The treatment can occur at levels that could otherwise compromise the patient's health. A second stage of the method substantially removes the treatment from the bodily fluid. The bodily fluid can then be returned to the patient. The article includes a treatment chamber that applies the treatment and a removal module for removing the treatment. The method can be a continuous process such as, for example, a dialysis process.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.

Abstract: A cardiotomy reservoir, comprising an outer wall provided, at the lid, with connectors for the inflow of blood to be filtered and, at the bottom, with a connector for the outflow of the filtered blood, a filtering mass being provided which divides the space delimited by the outer wall into a portion that is connected to the inflow connectors and a portion that is connected to the outflow connector; the cardiotomy reservoir comprises a layer of material adapted to retain fats present in blood, and further comprises a first partition and a second partition, which are adapted to delimit at different distances the region that comprises the blood outflow connector and are provided with ports for the passage of the blood in its path for accessing the connector which are arranged at differentiated levels with respect to the bottom, the ports that are provided in the first partition that lies closest to the outflow connector being located at a height, from the bottom, that is greater than the height of the ports prov

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.

Abstract: A kidney failure therapy system includes: (a) a dilaysate supply; (b) at least one valve actuator; (c) at least one pump actuator; and (d) a disposable unit including first and second flexible sheets sealed together for form: (i) at least one flow path configured to be placed in fluid communication with the dilaysate supply; and operable with the at least one valve actuator; and (ii) at least one pumping portion configured to operate with the at least one pump actuator.

Abstract: An extracorporeal circuit for removing toxins from the blood and plasma volume control in patients suffering from sepsis and renal failure. The extracorporeal circuit disclosed herein comprises a plasma filter, a toxin removal device and optionally a hemofilter that minimizes electrolyte and protein depletion from the treated plasma while effectively removing both free and protein-bound toxins. The toxin removal device comprises adsorbent materials selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, ion exchange resins and non-ionic exchange resins and the adsorbent materials are coated with albumin. Also provided are associated methods for treating patients suffering from sepsis and renal failure using the disclosed extracorporeal circuit and toxin removal device.

Abstract: Methods for promoting angiogenesis comprising administering platelet-rich plasma to a site and stimulating the site with an electromagnetic field. Platelets include platelet-rich plasma and compositions can further include stem cells such as adipose stromal cells and cells derived from bone marrow aspirate. Methods also comprise isolating platelets from a patient's blood, forming a composition including the platelets, delivering the composition to a site in need of treatment, and electrically stimulating the site.

Abstract: A vessel for removing bubbles from a fluid is provided. The vessel includes a fluid inlet port for receiving the fluid and a bubble outlet for removing bubbles in the fluid from the vessel. One or more ultrasonic transducers transmit one or more ultrasonic beams through the received fluid to move bubbles in the fluid towards the bubble outlet. A fluid outlet port outputs the fluid insonified by the one or more ultrasonic beams. A conduit structure conveys the one or more ultrasonic beams through the vessel in a first direction towards the air outlet. An interface prevents reflection of one or more ultrasonic beams in a direction generally opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for performing a renal replacement therapy is provided. In one embodiment, two small high flux dialyzers are connected in series. A restriction is placed between the two dialyzers in the dialysate flow path. The restriction is variable and adjustable in one preferred embodiment. The restriction builds a positive pressure in the venous dialyzer, causing a high degree of intentional backfiltration. That backfiltration causes a significant flow of dialysate through the high flux venous membrane directly into the patient's blood. That backfiltered solution is subsequently ultrafiltered from the patient from the arterial dialyzer. The diffusion of dialysate into the venous filter and removal of dialysate from the arterial dialyzer causes a convective transport of toxins from the patient. Additionally, the dialysate that does not diffuse directly into the patient but instead flows across the membranes of both dialyzers provides a diffusive clearance of waste products.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel standardized citrate replacement fluid solutions and a standardized dialysate solution for use with CRRT methods. The standardized citrate replacement fluid solutions and standardized dialysate solutions do not require modification based on the clinical status of the individual patients. The use of the standardized solutions described herein offers significant advantages over the prior art solutions used in CRRT. The present disclosure describes superior metabolic and electrolyte control and significantly increased dialyzer patency in: (a) 24 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ARF using a 0.67% trisodium citrate replacement fluid solution, and (b) 32 ICU patients with ARF using a 0.5% trisodium citrate replacement fluid solution. Both groups were treated with Bicarbonate-25 dialysate and achieved effluent rates of 35 mL/kg/hr.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wearable dialysis system and method for removing uremic waste metabolites and fluid from a patient suffering from renal disease. Uremic waste metabolites can be removed by a wearable peritoneal dialysis device that regenerates the peritoneal dialysis solution without removing positively charged, essential ions from the solution and, consequently, the patient. Fluids can be removed from the blood of the patient by an implantable fluid removing device. Fluids are delivered to the bladder and preferably removed from the body of the patient through urination. The wearable dialysis system may be operated continuously or semi-continuously and be comfortably adapted to the body of the patient while allowing the patient to perform normal activities.

Abstract: A haemodialysis device having an emergency activating function is provided. In order to avoid critical drops in blood pressure during a dialysis treatment, the emergency activating function makes it possible for the operating staff to initiate with a single control function a blood pressure measurement and a delivery of substance into the patient's blood in the event of a hypotensive episode and at the same time to have the introduction of these measures by the haemodialyser confirmed clearly through a display having an outward appearance different from that displayed during normal operations. In addition, further automatically introduced process steps can be provided. The emergency activating function speeds up the implementation of the measures to be introduced and, at the same time prevents incorrect operation and makes it possible for the operating staff to attend directly to the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the citrate anti-coagulated extracorporeal blood purification comprising: an extracorporeal blood purification system comprising an extracorporeal blood circuit (202), which comprises a dialysis unit (205), a blood inflow (203) and a blood discharge (204), a citrate metering device (212) for supplying citrate at a citrate supply point (213) upstream of the dialysis unit (205), a substitution medium metering device (214) for supplying a substitution medium at a substitution medium supply point (215) downstream from the dialysis unit (205), at least one ion concentration measuring means (224) for measuring bivalent cations and a controller (225), wherein the controller (225) is adapted to regulate the metering of the substitution medium as a function of a comparison between a setpoint value range and the ion concentration measured by means of the ion concentration measuring means (224), wherein the ion concentration measuring means (224) is adapted for the continuous genera

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid of a patient. The catheter assembly includes an elongated catheter body having a pair of lumens extending therethrough, and a septum separating the lumens. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment unit, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The infusion port is positioned distal of the aspiration port along a length of the catheter body. A flexible member is provided, wherein the flexible member has an end receivable in the first lumen and another end engaged with the catheter body distal of the aspiration port. The flexible member is structured and arranged to maintain a spacing between the aspiration port and a wall of the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.

Abstract: One disclosed embodiment comprises a method for treating lesions in the carotid artery of a mammalian body. The method comprises transcervical access and blocking of blood flow through the common carotid artery (with or without blocking of blood flow through the external carotid artery), shunting blood from the internal carotid artery and treating the lesion in the carotid artery.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for the control of body fluid flow in the extracorporeal treatment of body fluid. Body fluid flow through on of a body fluid flow circuit 10, 50, 60 100, or 250 is controlled by alternatingly applying vacuum pressure and positive pressure to the circuit through a pumping chamber 30, 51, 66, 102, or 200 coordinated with flow control valves 40, 42, 44, 62, 114, 116, 118, and 120 to effect a net downstream flow of body fluid through the circuit.

Abstract: Equipment for controlling blood flow in an extra-corporeal blood circuit, comprising at least a first sensor (11), designed to measure an arterial pressure (Part) upstream of a peristaltic pump (9); at least a second sensor (12), designed to measure an angular velocity (?) of the peristaltic pump; a memory (14) designed to store at least one set value (Qset) of the desired blood flow through the access branch, and a calibration function (F) in to at least the variables (v1), related to the angular velocity (?) of the pump, (v2), related to the arterial pressure (Part) in the portion of the said access branch upstream of the peristaltic pump, (v3), related to an actual flow of blood (Qactual) through the said access branch; and at least one control unit (13), capable of calculating an actual flow value (Qactual) by applying the function F to the values of angular velocity and arterial pressure (Part, ?) measured by the sensors; comparing the actual flow (Qactual) with the desired flow (Qset); and varying the a

Abstract: A method and a hemodialysis machine provide for at least partial emptying of an extracorporeal blood circulation after patient blood in the circulation has been returned to the patient via an infusion liquid which displaces the blood. The method includes emptying at least a blood chamber of a hemodialyzer subdivided by a semipermeable membrane into the blood chamber and a dialysis fluid chamber without additionally connecting an arterial blood line and a venous blood line of the circulation to one another. The arterial blood line is actively or passively aerated at a first point and the venous blood line is actively or passively aerated at a second point. The infusion liquid is emptied through the membrane into the dialysis fluid chamber and then via a dialysis fluid discharge line. The method is operable by a control program that runs automatically without requiring any manual input after activation of the program.

Abstract: Apparatuses, devices, systems and methods for detecting access disconnection are provided. In one embodiment, a medical fluid system includes (i) a medical fluid machine and (ii) a device operable with the medical fluid machine, the device configured to provide electrical contact with a medical fluid, the device including (a) a tube used during dialysis therapy through which the medical fluid can flow, and (b) a conductive element configured to self-sealingly pierce the tube, the conductive element having a first portion exposed to the medical fluid and a second portion external to the tube.