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.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as pods, pump pods, or pod pumps) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfactants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).

A dialysis cassette includes a cassette housing having a plurality of channels fluidly coupled to a plurality of connectors and a plurality of valves disposed within the plurality of channels. The dialysis cassette also includes a pump assembly disposed within the cassette housing. The pump assembly includes a pump housing and a flexible rotor having a plurality of flexible vanes, where the flexible rotor is rotatable in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction to move a fluid through the plurality of channels.

A dialysis cassette includes a cassette housing having a plurality of channels fluidly coupled to a plurality of connectors and a plurality of valves disposed within the plurality of channels. The dialysis cassette also includes a pump assembly disposed within the cassette housing. The pump assembly includes a pump housing and a flexible rotor having a plurality of flexible vanes, where the flexible rotor is rotatable in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction to move a fluid through the plurality of channels.

An antegrade perfusion assembly may have a braided sheath, a three-way stopcock, and a male-to-male connection. The three-way stopcock can fluidly communicate with the braided sheath in assembly. The three-way stopcock can furnish control of perfusate flow amid use of the antegrade perfusion assembly, and can facilitate de-airing of the braided sheath amid use of the antegrade perfusion assembly. The male-to-male connection can fluidly communicate with the three-way stopcock, and can accept reception and securement with an oxygenated blood source amid use of the antegrade perfusion assembly.

An antegrade perfusion assembly may have a braided sheath, a three-way stopcock, and a male-to-male connection. The three-way stopcock can fluidly communicate with the braided sheath in assembly. The three-way stopcock can furnish control of perfusate flow amid use of the antegrade perfusion assembly, and can facilitate de-airing of the braided sheath amid use of the antegrade perfusion assembly. The male-to-male connection can fluidly communicate with the three-way stopcock, and can accept reception and securement with an oxygenated blood source amid use of the antegrade perfusion assembly.

Described herein are pumps that linearly reciprocate to assist with circulating blood within the body of a patient. Red blood cell damage may be avoided or minimized by such linear pump movement. The linearly reciprocating movement may also generate a pulsatile pumping cycle that mimics the natural pumping cycle of the heart. The pumps may be configured to reside at various body locations. For example, the pumps may be situated within the right ventricle, the left ventricle, the ascending aorta, the descending aorta, the thoracic aorta, or the abdominal aorta. In some instances, the pump may be deployed within the venous circulation. In other instances, the pump may reside outside the patient.

Described herein are pumps that linearly reciprocate to assist with circulating blood within the body of a patient. Red blood cell damage may be avoided or minimized by such linear pump movement. The linearly reciprocating movement may also generate a pulsatile pumping cycle that mimics the natural pumping cycle of the heart. The pumps may be configured to reside at various body locations. For example, the pumps may be situated within the right ventricle, the left ventricle, the ascending aorta, the descending aorta, the thoracic aorta, or the abdominal aorta. In some instances, the pump may be deployed within the venous circulation. In other instances, the pump may reside outside the patient.

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.