HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120065567A1
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zarate, Alfredo R.
• Original Assignee: Zarate, Alfredo R.
• Inventors: Zarate, Alfredo R.
• Application Number:
  US13/151,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20120065567A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/5.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3653 Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3655 Arterio-venous shunts or fistulae
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3661 for haemodialysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/367 Circuit parts not covered by the preceding subgroups of group A61M1/3621
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/11 Laminar flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014

Abstract

Hemodialysis systems and methods with streamlined blood flow paths are provided. Such streamlined blood flow paths facilitate flow without undue damage to circulating cells.

Claims

1. A hemodialysis circuit comprising:

a blood flow path between components including a cannula, fistula needle tubing, a blood line, and at least one selected from the group consisting of an artificial kidney and an air trap;

wherein the blood flow path has no sharp transitions between the components.

2. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 1, further comprising at least one connector between two of the components, wherein the connector provides a smooth transition of the internal surfaces of the two components.

3. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 2, wherein at least one free end of the connector is tapered.

4. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 2, wherein the smooth transition is provided by at least one internal arcuate surface of the two components.

5. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 2, wherein the connector is disposed between the fistula needle tubing and blood line.

6. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 2, wherein a free end of the blood line has a larger internal diameter than an external diameter of a free end of the connector, and the free ends of the blood line and connector are directly coupled to one another.

7. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 1, wherein the artificial kidney comprises a port and the blood line is connected directly to the port.

8. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 1, wherein the cannula is received within the fistula needle tubing.

9. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 1, further comprising a blood pump.

10. The hemodialysis circuit of claim 1, wherein the cannula is formed of metal.

11. A system comprising:

at least two components selected from the group consisting of an artificial kidney, an arterial blood line, fistula needle tubing, an arterial fistula needle, a venous blood line, an air trap chamber, a venous fistula needle;

wherein the at least two components are integrally formed.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the arterial blood line has an internal diameter of at least 3.0 mm.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the venous blood line has an internal diameter of at least 3.0 mm.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the arterial blood line has an internal diameter of at least 4.0 mm.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the venous blood line has an internal diameter of at least 4.0 mm.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein a blood flow path is formed between the at least two components and the blood flow path has a diameter of at least 3.0 mm.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein a blood flow path is formed between the at least two components and the blood flow path has a uniform diameter.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the ratio of the internal diameters of two of the at least two components is between 0.8 and 1.2.

19. A system comprising:

at least two components selected from the group consisting of an artificial kidney, an arterial blood line, fistula needle tubing, an arterial fistula needle, a venous blood line, an air trap chamber, a venous fistula needle;

wherein the at least two components are permanently coupled to one another.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the arterial blood line has an internal diameter of at least 3.0 mm.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the venous blood line has an internal diameter of at least 3.0 mm.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the arterial blood line has an internal diameter of at least 4.0 mm.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the venous blood line has an internal diameter of at least 4.0 mm.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein a blood flow path is formed between the at least two components and the blood flow path has a diameter of at least 3.0 mm.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein a blood flow path is formed between the at least two components and the blood flow path has a uniform diameter.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the ratio of the internal diameters of two of the at least two components is between 0.8 and 1.2.

27. A hemodialysis method comprising:

circulating blood from an arterial fistula needle through an artificial kidney and to a venous fistula needle, wherein the blood flows through a blood line and fistula needle tubing having the same internal diameter of at least 3.0 mm and without any change in diameter at an interface thereof.

28. The hemodialysis method of claim 27, wherein the blood flows through a blood line and fistula needle tubing having the same internal diameter of at least 4.0 mm.

29. The hemodialysis method of claim 27, wherein a connector is provided at the interface and the connector couples the blood line and fistula needle tubing without any change in diameter therebetween.

30. The hemodialysis method of claim 27, further comprising:

pumping blood by compressing the blood line while blood is disposed therein, wherein the blood line has an internal diameter and is compressed to no less than 50% of the original internal diameter.

31. The hemodialysis method of claim 27, further comprising:

pumping blood by compressing the blood line while blood is disposed therein, wherein the blood line has an internal diameter and is compressed to no less than 30% of the original internal diameter.

32. The hemodialysis method of claim 28, wherein the blood line has an internal diameter and is compressed to no less than 60% of the original internal diameter.

33. The hemodialysis method of claim 28, wherein the blood line has an internal diameter and is compressed to no less than 70% of the original internal diameter.