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 pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes housing. The housing includes at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. Also, the cassette includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps at least one fluid from the fluid inlet line to at least one of the fluid outlet line. Also, the cassette includes at least one mixing chamber within the housing. The mixing chamber is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line.

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.

A renal failure therapy machine includes a blood cleaning filter, a sorbent device configured to regenerate used therapy fluid from the blood cleaning filter, a therapy fluid pump configured to pump regenerated therapy fluid from the sorbent device back to the blood cleaning filter, and a flow restrictor in fluid communication with the blood cleaning filter, the therapy fluid pump and the sorbent device, the flow restrictor configured to cause regenerated therapy fluid pumped by the therapy fluid pump from the sorbent device to the blood cleaning filter to be pressurized so that a first amount of the regenerated therapy fluid performs convective clearance and a second amount of the regenerated therapy fluid performs diffusive clearance.

A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.

A novel artificial circulatory assistance chamber for various uses associated with cardiovascular procedures, having a rigid capsule with a base and a dome, with blood inlet connectors and blood outlet connectors, and respective one-way valves. The rigid capsule contains an impermeable membrane that divides the capsule into a blood compartment and an outer compressible compartment that is filled with a volume of gas/liquid.

A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine configured to control fluid loss or ultrafiltration (UF) volume over a treatment; a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows selection of a prescription entry for the treatment; and a processor operating with the GUI, the processor programmed to (i) receive a plurality of prescription entries via a local or wide area mode of data communication, each prescription entry including at least one prescribed parameter for operating the dialysis machine to control the fluid loss or UF volume, and (ii) enable an operator to choose between the prescription entries provided at the GUI, and select one of the prescription entries for the treatment.

An arterial access device has an internal lumen and a proximal port, the arterial access device sized and shaped to be inserted directly into an arterial access site in the common carotid artery such that the lumen provides a passageway for an interventional device to be inserted via the proximal port into the carotid artery. The arterial access device has a distal portion that is configured to be inserted into an arterial pathway through the access site, and a proximal portion configured to extend outward from the access site when the distal portion is in the arterial pathway.

An arterial access device has an internal lumen and a proximal port, the arterial access device sized and shaped to be inserted directly into an arterial access site in the common carotid artery such that the lumen provides a passageway for an interventional device to be inserted via the proximal port into the carotid artery. The arterial access device has a distal portion that is configured to be inserted into an arterial pathway through the access site, and a proximal portion configured to extend outward from the access site when the distal portion is in the arterial pathway.