A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least, one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line.

The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

An extracorporeal cardiac assistance system, comprising a pump being configured to create a fluid flow from a suction line to a pressure line of the system; further comprising a control device configured to control the pump and/or an adjustable flow limiter to provide an adjustable flow rate and/or a pressure, wherein the control device is configured to execute a support mode with a plurality of consecutive support flow rate pulses and/or support pressure pulses interposed on the fluid flow and to execute a weaning mode with a plurality of such pulses, wherein an amount of energy provided to the fluid flow with each pulse is lower in the weaning mode than in the support mode.

An extracorporeal cardiac assistance system, comprising a pump being configured to create a fluid flow from a suction line to a pressure line of the system; further comprising a control device configured to control the pump and/or an adjustable flow limiter to provide an adjustable flow rate and/or a pressure, wherein the control device is configured to execute a support mode with a plurality of consecutive support flow rate pulses and/or support pressure pulses interposed on the fluid flow and to execute a weaning mode with a plurality of such pulses, wherein an amount of energy provided to the fluid flow with each pulse is lower in the weaning mode than in the support mode.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

A system for priming a fluid system includes a fluid connector configured to interface with a fluid source and a fluid reservoir including a first connector configured to couple with an inflow line of the fluid system, a second connector configured to couple with an outflow line of the fluid system, and a gas release valve. A system for priming a fluid system includes first and second fluid connectors configured to interface with a fluid source, a first connector configured to couple with an inflow line of the fluid system, a second connector configured to couple with an outflow line of the fluid system, and a gas release valve. A method of priming the fluid system includes coupling the first connector with the inflow line, coupling the second connector with the outflow line, coupling the first fluid connector with the fluid source, and elevating the fluid source.

A system for priming a fluid system includes a fluid connector configured to interface with a fluid source and a fluid reservoir including a first connector configured to couple with an inflow line of the fluid system, a second connector configured to couple with an outflow line of the fluid system, and a gas release valve. A system for priming a fluid system includes first and second fluid connectors configured to interface with a fluid source, a first connector configured to couple with an inflow line of the fluid system, a second connector configured to couple with an outflow line of the fluid system, and a gas release valve. A method of priming the fluid system includes coupling the first connector with the inflow line, coupling the second connector with the outflow line, coupling the first fluid connector with the fluid source, and elevating the fluid source.