Robust System and Methods for Blood Access
First Claim
1. A method of determining the patency of a blood access site in use with a blood access system, comprising:
- a. Operating the blood access system and determining one or more characteristics of pressure, flow rate, or both, of fluid flow within the blood access system at a plurality of times;
b. Determining from characteristics whether the blood access site is suitable for continued access.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide robust systems for the removal and subsequent infusion of blood for measurement purposes, and embodiments of the present invention provide methods of operating such systems and providing capabilities such as predicting and avoiding occlusions and/or bubbles, managing occlusions and/or bubbles if they occur, automatic cleaning of the blood access system, and determining and managing the patency of the blood access site. Such operational challenges can occur during any of several phases of operation of a blood access system. Embodiments of the present invention can effectively incorporate a variety of inputs for the identification of trends consistent with present or pending occlusions. An embodiment of the present invention can be aware of the stage of operation, e.g., withdrawal, infusion, or cleaning, and the prior performance of the system. Embodiments of the present invention can have the ability to identify the location of the problem so that effective procedures can be used to resolve the problem.
158 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of determining the patency of a blood access site in use with a blood access system, comprising:
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a. Operating the blood access system and determining one or more characteristics of pressure, flow rate, or both, of fluid flow within the blood access system at a plurality of times; b. Determining from characteristics whether the blood access site is suitable for continued access. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of automatically cleaning a blood access system, comprising:
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a. Configuring the system such that a cleaning fluid can be transported through it without substantial infusion into the patient; and b. Transporting a cleaning fluid through at least a portion of the system with variable fluid flow rates, or variable fluid flow directions, or both.
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14. A method of determining that an occlusion in a blood access system is likely to occur, comprising:
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a. Operating the blood access system and sensing pressure or flow at two or more places in the system; b. Determining the likelihood of an occlusion from the relationship between the two or more sensed values.
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15. A method of determining that an occlusion is present in a blood access system having bidirectional flow, comprising:
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a. Operating the blood access system and sensing pressure or flow in at least one place in the system, wherein the pressure is at the connection to the patient, system controls flow rate and measures pressure, or pulls at a pump pressure and monitors pressure at the patient; b. Determining that an occlusion is present when the pressure exceeds a threshold.
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16. A method of automatically managing a blood access system in the presence of an actual or predicted occlusion, comprising:
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a. Detecting that an occlusion is present or that an occlusion is likely to occur; b. Controlling pressure or flow to avoid overpressure at patient, reverse flow rate, clean the system, or take residual blood to waste.
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Specification