Fluid circuit priming methods, devices, and systems
First Claim
1. A method of priming a blood circuit of a blood treatment system of a type whose control of a blood circuit pump thereof permits pumping in a single direction, only, the method comprising:
- connecting a blood circuit that includesa filter that includes a bundle of microtubular fiber membranes with lumens of the microtubular fiber membranes fluidly connected to a blood compartment of the filter and the lumens extending through a non-blood compartment of the filter, the non-blood compartment having at least one port,venous lines, andarterial linesto a blood treatment machine pump;
orienting the filter such that the at least one port is positioned at a highest point of the non-blood compartment of the filter and the at least one port includes a liquid-blocking vent fluidly connected to the non-blood compartment of the filter;
pumping a priming fluid from a source of the priming fluid through the blood circuit and the filter in a single direction into the blood compartment of the filter;
flowing the priming fluid from the blood compartment of the filter into the lumens of the microtubular fiber membranes;
the flowing being such that an exterior surface of the microtubular membranes remains dry until the exterior surface is wetted from the flow of the priming fluid from the lumens through the microtubular fiber membranes to the non-blood compartment of the filter;
collecting air that is pushed out of the microtubular fiber membranes in the non-blood compartment andventing said air through the liquid-blocking vent fluidly connected to the non-blood compartment of the filter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to embodiments, priming systems, methods, and devices are disclosed which allow medical treatment devices which pump fluid to be primed with minimal operator intervention and a high level of convenience. A blood circuit with a filter fitted with one or more air vents on a non-blood compartment is attached to a treatment system and priming fluid pumped slowly through the blood circuit in a loop. The source of fluid may be elevated, or the pumping may generate pressure, such that priming fluid is forced through the membrane of the filter and out the air vent(s). In embodiments, the vents are hydrophobic which prevent fluid from being ejected, so the priming system can nm without intervention.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of priming a blood circuit of a blood treatment system of a type whose control of a blood circuit pump thereof permits pumping in a single direction, only, the method comprising:
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connecting a blood circuit that includes a filter that includes a bundle of microtubular fiber membranes with lumens of the microtubular fiber membranes fluidly connected to a blood compartment of the filter and the lumens extending through a non-blood compartment of the filter, the non-blood compartment having at least one port, venous lines, and arterial lines to a blood treatment machine pump; orienting the filter such that the at least one port is positioned at a highest point of the non-blood compartment of the filter and the at least one port includes a liquid-blocking vent fluidly connected to the non-blood compartment of the filter; pumping a priming fluid from a source of the priming fluid through the blood circuit and the filter in a single direction into the blood compartment of the filter; flowing the priming fluid from the blood compartment of the filter into the lumens of the microtubular fiber membranes; the flowing being such that an exterior surface of the microtubular membranes remains dry until the exterior surface is wetted from the flow of the priming fluid from the lumens through the microtubular fiber membranes to the non-blood compartment of the filter; collecting air that is pushed out of the microtubular fiber membranes in the non-blood compartment and venting said air through the liquid-blocking vent fluidly connected to the non-blood compartment of the filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 10. The method of 1, wherein the lumens of the membranes extend in parallel within the filter.
Specification