A patient fluid removal compensation volume may be determined to make up for the patient fluid removal that does not occur during machine down times, and the patient fluid removal rate may be increased until the compensating volume is satisfied.

A balancing method and a balancing device (100, 101, 200, 201, 301, 303) for determining a fluid balance between a flow quantity in a first flow path (FW1) and a flow quantity in a second flow path (FW2) are disclosed. The disclosed balancing device (100, 101, 200, 201, 301, 303) comprises the following elements:

a differential flow measuring unit (D) for measuring the differential flow between a flow in the first flow path (FW1) and a flow in the second flow path (FW2),

a branch from one of the two flow paths (FW1, FW2) for diverting fluid from one of the two flow paths into the other flow path (W),

a device for setting the flow quantity (P11, P12) in the additional flow path, which can be controlled in such a way that the measured differential flow fulfills a predetermined condition,

and with a device (K) for determining the flow quantity in the additional flow path as a measure of the fluid balance.

A cassette module (19, 29, 319, 419, 59, 69) for a differential flowmeter is disclosed, wherein the cassette module (19, 29, 319, 419, 59, 69) forms a first fluid-carrying channel (16, 216, 316, 611, 615) and the second fluid-carrying channel (17, 217, 317, 610, 616) during operation of the differential flowmeter. The cassette module is specific in the regard that a geometric deformation of the channels due to a temperature difference between the channels (16, 216, 316, 611, 615, 17, 217, 317, 610, 616) is minimized or prevented. In addition a differential flowmeter containing the cassette module (19, 29, 319, 419, 59, 69) disclosed here is also described.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for removing carbon dioxide from a target fluid, such as, for example, blood, to treat hypercarbic respiratory failure or another condition. A device is provided including first and second membrane components for removing dissolved gaseous carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from the fluid, which can be done simultaneously. The device can be in the form of a cartridge configured for use in a dialysis system. A method of treatment is also provided, involving drawing blood from a patient and bringing the patient's blood in contact with a first membrane component having a sweep gas passing therethrough, and a second membrane component having a dialysate passing therethrough. The dialysate's composition can be selected such that charge neutrality is maintained.

An apparatus for extracorporeal treatment of blood (1) comprising a filtration unit (2), a blood withdrawal line (6), a blood return line (7), an effluent fluid line (13), a pre and/or post-dilution fluid line (15, 25) connected to the blood withdrawal line, and a dialysis fluid line. Pumps (17, 18, 21, 22, 27) act on the fluid lines for regulating the flow of fluid. A control unit (10) is configured to periodically calculate a new value for the patient fluid removal rate to be imposed on an ultrafiltration actuator in order to keep a predefined patient fluid removal rate across a reference time interval irrespective of machine down times.

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient through the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. Preferably, the hemodialysis system includes a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path. Furthermore, the hemodialysis machine includes a blood pump, and a pair of dialysate pumps. A processor controls the flow of blood through the blood flow path, and the processor controls the flow of dialysate through the dialysate flow path. In addition, the processor stores a patient treatment plan wherein the flow rate of dialysate reduces throughout treatment to maximize the amount of urea removed by the sorbent filter.

Systems and methods are disclosed for performing hemodialysis that include fluid handling systems that provide accurate control over the type and level of hemodialysis being performed. The system includes a first pump for pumping dialysate into a dialyzer and a second pump for pumping dialysate out of the dialyzer. The system also includes a third pump that provides improved control of a level of ultrafiltration, hemodiafiltration, or both.

A dialysis system includes a sorbent device positioned along a fluid circuit for regenerating dialysate during a dialysis treatment carried out at the dialysis system, a filter coupled to an outlet of the sorbent device such the any fluid flowing through the sorbent device must first flow through the filter before reentering the fluid circuit, and a pump positioned downstream of the filter along the fluid circuit. The pump is operable between first and second dialysis treatments carried out at the dialysis system to circulate a fluid through the sorbent device to prevent matter within the sorbent device from solidifying and circulate the fluid through the filter to remove contaminants from the fluid.

An apparatus for extracorporeal treatment of blood (1) comprising a filtration unit (2), a blood withdrawal line (6), a blood return line (7), an effluent fluid line (13), a pre and/or post-dilution fluid line (15, 25) connected to the blood withdrawal line, and a dialysis fluid line. Pumps (17, 18, 21, 22, 27) act on the fluid lines for regulating the flow of fluid. A control unit (10) is configured to periodically calculate a new value for the patient fluid removal rate to be imposed on an ultrafiltration actuator in order to keep a predefined patient fluid removal rate across a reference time interval irrespective of machine down times.

The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.