Automatic priming of connected blood sets
First Claim
1. The method of priming a blood processing system comprising connected tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets, for connection between a blood processing unit and a patient, which method comprises:
- passing priming solution into and through said connected sets in a first flow direction that is reverse to the normal direction of blood flow through said sets, while removing air from said sets through a port communicating with the sets; and
passing priming solution in a second, reverse direction of flow to said first direction through said sets while continuing to remove air from the sets through said port, said method including the characteristic of pumping said solution with a flow pump through said system in only the reverse flow direction, and not in the first direction, during the entire priming process, said sets being temporarily connected together at least at one of respective ends thereof throughout the entire priming process.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A blood processing system (e.g. a dialysis system) having a blood processing unit (e.g. a hemodialyzer) and tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets (10, 14) may be primed by temporarily connecting together the ends of the sets and then passing priming solution in a first flow direction (44) that is retrograde to the normal flow of blood. This causes the priming solution to enter an in-line chamber (64) carried by one of the sets. At the same time, air is removed through a port (62). Preferably, the chamber includes a filter (65). In another step, priming solution is passed through the sets in a second flow direction (42), opposite the first flow direction, while continuing to remove air through the port. Preferably, the solution is passed in the first flow direction by gravity and in the second flow direction with a pump (26a). The solution can also be passed in both directions simultaneously. In another method of the invention, the hemodialyzer (12) is connected to an end of each set after the sets are primed.
94 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. The method of priming a blood processing system comprising connected tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets, for connection between a blood processing unit and a patient, which method comprises:
passing priming solution into and through said connected sets in a first flow direction that is reverse to the normal direction of blood flow through said sets, while removing air from said sets through a port communicating with the sets; and
passing priming solution in a second, reverse direction of flow to said first direction through said sets while continuing to remove air from the sets through said port, said method including the characteristic of pumping said solution with a flow pump through said system in only the reverse flow direction, and not in the first direction, during the entire priming process, said sets being temporarily connected together at least at one of respective ends thereof throughout the entire priming process.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
12. The method of priming a blood processing system comprising connected tubular arterial and venous sets for subsequent connection and blood flow after said priming with a blood processing unit, said sets, and a patient, which method comprises the following steps:
-
a. passing priming solution into said system in a first direction of flow through portions of both said arterial and venous sets which are temporarily connected together at respective ends thereof, to cause said priming solution to enter an in-line chamber carried by one of said sets, said first flow direction being retrograde to the normal direction of blood flow through said chamber, while removing air from said sets through a port positioned in flow connection with said sets;
b. passing priming solution in a second, reverse direction of flow to said first direction through different portions of said system while continuing to remove air from the system through said port; and
c. connecting ends of said arterial and venous sets with said blood processing unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification