Simple-to-use systems, methods, and devices for priming replacement blood treatment devices, for swapping the blood treatment devices out, for replacing swapped-out blood treatment devices, and other related operations are described. In embodiments, a blood treatment device can be primed while a therapy is still running. When the replacement blood treatment device is needed, the therapy can be stopped momentarily (less than a minute) for the rapid and safe swap of the blood treatment device. Blood loss can be minimized. The down time from therapy can be minimized.

A plasmapheresis system and a method for operating a plasmapheresis system are provided by which the reservoir for the concentrated red blood cells (RCC) has a first chamber for receiving anticoagulant used for priming the separator and purging the system of air prior to the initial draw cycle and a second chamber for receiving separated red blood cells. Because the entire volume of second chamber of the RCC reservoir may now receive separated red blood cells and no AC prime volume, a greater amount of whole blood may be processed in the first draw cycle, thus resulting in a greater total volume of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) being collected during the plasmapheresis procedure.

A method is provided for controlling fluid flow through a tubing segment is provided in which a pump draws fluid through the tubing segment using negative pressure P. The method includes the steps of: a) operating the pump at an initial commanded fluid flow rate to draw fluid through the tubing segment; b) measuring on a continuous basis the P in the tubing segment; c) determining into which of four zones the measured P falls, a first zone being where P>X.sub.1, a second zone being where X.sub.1>P>X.sub.2, a third zone where X.sub.2>P>X.sub.3, and a fourth zone where X.sub.3>P; d) if P is in the first zone for greater than a first pre-established time period, then increasing the commanded flow rate of the pump and returning to step b); e) if P is in the second zone, then continuing to operate the pump at the flow rate at which the pump is currently operated and returning to step b); f) if P is in the third zone, for greater than a second pre-established time period, then decreasing the commanded flow rate of the pump and returning to step b); and g) if P is in the fourth zone, then commanding the pump to stop. A system including a programmable controller configured to automatically perform the method is also disclosed

A plasmapheresis system and a method for operating a plasmapheresis system are provided by which the volume/weight of anticoagulated plasma that is collected is optimized. In one example, a nomogram is provided that utilizes the donor's hematocrit to calculate the volume/weight of raw plasma within a plasma product having the maximum volume permitted by the FDA nomogram. In a plasmapheresis procedure having multiple collection phases followed by a reinfusion cycle in which concentrated red blood cells are returned to the donor, the volume of plasma product to be collected is calculated prior to the start of each collection cycle to account for the donor's increasing hematocrit, thus resulting in a greater total volume of plasma product to be collected during the plasmapheresis procedure.

A tube connector is configured to connect between a main tube and a peristaltically-actuated tube. The tube connector includes a first connection part configured to be connected to the main tube; a second connection part configured to be connected to the peristaltically-actuated tube; a communication part being provided between the first connection part and the second connection part and having a communication flow path for communicating between a first flow path through which fluid flows in the first connection part and a second flow path through which the fluid flows in the second connection part; and a main body section. The first flow path and the second flow path are formed to have a constant diameter and are formed so as to extend along the axial direction of the main body section. A diameter of the first flow path is smaller than a diameter of the second flow path. The communication flow path is formed so as to gradually enlarge in diameter from a first flow path side to a second flow path side. A central axis of the first flow path and a central axis of the second flow path are shifted toward the radial direction of the main body section.

A portable dialysis cabinet for use in dialysis. The portable dialysis cabinet can have a size and weight that facilitates easy movement of the cabinet from one location to another with relative ease. The portable dialysis cabinet can have additional features necessary to facilitate portability, such as wheels and a handle. In general, the portable dialysis cabinet can contain all the necessary components for performing a dialysis session.

An artificial kidney configured to automatically or semi-automatically perform priming, procedure running, purging, flushing, and procedure ending. The artificial kidney is wearable and can be used while ambulating, sitting, and lying down. The artificial kidney can be used at home as a supplement to standard intermittent hemodialysis therapy in the clinic. In an example, the artificial kidney can be configured to perform alert event detection, start a timer, and take steps to resolving the alert event. The steps can include automated steps and can include instructions to be manually performed by the user (or the patient). If the alert event is resolved within a set time, the artificial kidney can continue to perform procedure running. If the alert event is not resolved within the set time, the artificial kidney performs the procedure ending.

Described is a method for controlling fluid volume balance. A controller is configured with a first set of inputs comprising a hematocrit, a total blood volume, and an ACD ratio. A maximum extracorporeal RBC amount during the procedure is estimated based on the first set of inputs. A fluid circuit is primed with a priming fluid. Whole blood is drawn from a blood source and separated into a RBC component, a target cell component, and a plasma component. The target cell component is directed to a product container. The product container comprising the target cell component is treated. A treated target cell component, a portion of the RBC component remaining in the fluid circuit, and/or a portion of the plasma component remaining in the fluid circuit are returned to the blood source. A first response action is provided if the maximum extracorporeal RBC amount estimated is above a programmed limit.

Embodiments of the invention pertain to cartridges, systems and methods for performing hemodialysis and related extracorporeal blood treatment modalities and therapies, in which blood flows in the inter fiber space and dialysate flows in the lumens of hollow fibers. Appropriate connectors and fitting orientations may be provided. There may be provided orbital distributors, fanning of fibers, and features to promote uniformity of fiber spacing in the fiber bundle. Orbital distributors may contain contoured surfaces, flow redirectors, non-uniform-conductance flow elements, through-wall distributors, and other features. There may be subdivision of the fiber bundle into two groups of fibers with separate control fluid to each group. Appropriate systems may be provided for various therapies. Flow past the fibers may be parallel, transverse or other configuration. These various features may enable long-term application to all dialysis and ultrafiltration related therapies, and also to other therapies and to applications including implantables, portables and wearables.

An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus comprises: a blood treatment device (2) comprising a blood chamber (3) and a fluid chamber (4) separated from one another by a semipermeable membrane (5); an extracorporeal blood circuit (17) comprising a blood withdrawal line (6) connected to an inlet port (3a) of the blood chamber (3) and a blood return line (7) connected to an outlet port (3b) of the blood chamber (3); a blood pump (21) configured to be coupled to the blood withdrawal line (6); a hydraulic circuit (100) connectable to the fluid chamber (4), wherein the hydraulic circuit (100) comprises a fluid preparation device (9) connected to a water network (14) and configured to dilute concentrates in water to prepare a treatment fluid; a control unit (12) connected to the preparation device (9) and to the blood pump (21). The control unit (12) is configured to execute the following procedure: setting the hydraulic circuit (100) so that the fluid preparation device (9) bypasses the fluid chamber (4); controlling the fluid preparation device (9) to prepare the treatment fluid while bypassing the fluid chamber (4); and simultaneously controlling the blood pump (21) to perform pure ultrafiltration of a patient (P) connected to the extracorporeal blood circuit (17).