A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.

The invention provides an intraventricular pulsating blood pump fixedly disposed at the ventricularapex inside the ventricle to generate pulsation action. The pulsating blood pump is substantially jellyfish-shaped and includes a bell-shaped pump body and a driving source, an opening of the bell-shaped pump body faces to the outlet of the ventricle, the driving source drives the bell-shaped pump body to contract or relax, and the contraction or relaxation of the bell-shaped pump body drives the blood in the ventricle to eject directionally to the artery and form a convoluted blood flow field between the inner wall of the bell-shaped pump body and the inner wall of the ventricle. The invention not only provides assist to ventricular by pulsating blood flow, but also optimizes the flow field and pressure distribution in the ventricle, the blood pump of the invention is better in biocompatibility than the blood pumps in prior art.

A heart support device for circulatory assistance is disclosed. The device (2) comprises a chamber body (4) comprising an outer wall and defining an internal volume (Vx) configured to receive a volume of fluid. The chamber body (4) comprises an outlet opening (8) at its proximal end (4a), the outlet opening (8) being in fluid communication with an exterior volume in which the chamber body (4) is disposed. The outer wall of the chamber body (4) is configured to alternately collapse and expand between a first configuration in which the internal volume V.sub.x=V.sub.1 and a second configuration in which the internal volume V.sub.x=V.sub.2, wherein Vi is larger than V.sub.2, and thereby pump the fluid through the outlet opening (8). The cross-sectional internal diameter of the outlet opening (8) is less than a maximum cross-sectional internal diameter of the chamber body (4).

A heart support device for circulatory assistance is disclosed. The device (2) comprises a chamber body (4) comprising an outer wall and defining an internal volume (Vx) configured to receive a volume of fluid. The chamber body (4) comprises an outlet opening (8) at its proximal end (4a), the outlet opening (8) being in fluid communication with an exterior volume in which the chamber body (4) is disposed. The outer wall of the chamber body (4) is configured to alternately collapse and expand between a first configuration in which the internal volume V.sub.x=V.sub.1 and a second configuration in which the internal volume V.sub.x=V.sub.2, wherein Vi is larger than V.sub.2, and thereby pump the fluid through the outlet opening (8). The cross-sectional internal diameter of the outlet opening (8) is less than a maximum cross-sectional internal diameter of the chamber body (4).

Automated control mechanisms and methods for controlling fluid flow in a hemodialysis apparatus are described. The methods can involve a controller receiving information from a pressure sensor in a control chamber of a reciprocating diaphragm-based blood pump and causing the application of a time-varying pressure waveform on a diaphragm of the blood pump during a fill-stroke of the blood pump. The controller can be configured and programmed to monitor a pressure variation in the control chamber measured by the pressure sensor and to compare the measured pressure variation to a pre-determined value. Based on such comparison, the controller can initiate a procedure to pause or stop a dialysate pump of the hemodialysis apparatus if the magnitude of the measured pressure variation deviates from the pre-determined value.

Automated control mechanisms and methods for controlling fluid flow in a hemodialysis apparatus are described. The methods can involve a controller receiving information from a pressure sensor in a control chamber of a reciprocating diaphragm-based blood pump and causing the application of a time-varying pressure waveform on a diaphragm of the blood pump during a fill-stroke of the blood pump. The controller can be configured and programmed to monitor a pressure variation in the control chamber measured by the pressure sensor and to compare the measured pressure variation to a pre-determined value. Based on such comparison, the controller can initiate a procedure to pause or stop a dialysate pump of the hemodialysis apparatus if the magnitude of the measured pressure variation deviates from the pre-determined value.

A cardiac assist device (1) with a cup element (2), an inner balloon element (5) and a tube element (6). The cup element (2) has a cup wall (2a), one or more in-flow openings (3), and an outflow element (4 having an aperture (4a). The inner balloon element (5) is positioned inside the cup element (2) free from the outflow element (4). The tube element (6) is arranged for inflating and deflating the inner balloon element (5) during operation. During operation in a pumping operational mode, the combination of first material, dimensions of the cup wall (2a), and dimensions of the outflow element (4) provides a containment force by the cup element (2) counteracting an outward directed force of the inner balloon element (5).

A drive unit for a diaphragm pump may be provided, wherein the drive unit comprises a hollow body and a piston which is arranged so as to be movable in the first hollow body along an axis of the hollow body, wherein the piston divides the hollow body into a first chamber, which is connectable to the diaphragm pump, and a second chamber, which is coupleable to a gas reservoir. The second chamber comprises an inlet valve and an outlet valve, such that a gas flow is drawn into the chamber via the inlet valve and is forced out of the chamber via the outlet valve.

A drive unit for a diaphragm pump may be provided, wherein the drive unit comprises a hollow body and a piston which is arranged so as to be movable in the first hollow body along an axis of the hollow body, wherein the piston divides the hollow body into a first chamber, which is connectable to the diaphragm pump, and a second chamber, which is coupleable to a gas reservoir. The second chamber comprises an inlet valve and an outlet valve, such that a gas flow is drawn into the chamber via the inlet valve and is forced out of the chamber via the outlet valve.

The invention relates to a blood treatment device having at least one metering line which opens into a fluid circuit, wherein a conveyor module is arranged in the metering line and comprises a membrane pump and a valve which is arranged at the pressure side thereof and which can act both as a blocking valve and as a restricting valve.