Fluid processing assemblies and methods are provided for mononuclear cell collection. Mononuclear cells are separated from red blood cells in a blood separation chamber, with the mononuclear cells and then the red blood cells exiting the chamber via an outlet port. The mononuclear cells and then the red blood cells enter an outlet flow path that is in fluid communication with a mononuclear cell collection container. The outlet flow path includes a visual indicium, which an operator may use to determine the position of the red blood cells within the outlet flow path and when to end mononuclear cell collection by preventing fluid communication between the outlet flow path and the mononuclear cell collection container.

A system for controlling a fluid procedure comprising a reusable separation apparatus controlled by a microprocessing controller. A sterile circuit is configured to associate with the reusable separation apparatus and provide a first fluid flow path in association with a pressure sensor in communication with the controller and a first pump configured to transmit pulsatile pressure signals to the pressure sensor during operation in association with the first fluid flow path. The reusable apparatus and the controller are configured to receive from the pressure sensor pressure signals comprising the pulsatile pressure signals, perform a frequency analysis of the pressure signals received by the pressure sensor over a time duration, derive a first rotation rate of the first pump or a first fluid flow rate at the first pump from the frequency analysis, and provide a response action based on the first rotation rate or the first fluid flow rate.

The present invention relates to a blood treatment machine having a control, having a pump actuator for pumping blood through an extracorporeal blood circuit which comprises an arterial line and a venous line, and having a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the venous line, wherein the control has a detection function for detecting a venous needle disconnect which compares a value determined on the basis of the pressure in the venous line with a limit value to recognize a venous needle disconnect, wherein the limit value with which the detection function compares the value determined on the basis of the pressure in the venous line can be set variably and/or is set variably by the control.

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. In one set of embodiments, a hemodialysis system may include a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path, where the dialysate flow path includes one or more of a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. Preparation of dialysate by the preparation circuit, in some instances, may be decoupled from patient dialysis. In some cases, the circuits are defined, at least partially, within one or more cassettes, optionally interconnected with conduits, pumps, or the like. In one embodiment, the fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the hemodialysis system. In some cases, a gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate to pass through the dialyzer and urge blood in the blood flow path back to the patient. Such a system may be useful, for example, in certain emergency situations (e.g., a power failure) where it is desirable to return as much blood to the patient as possible. The hemodialysis system may also include, in another aspect of the invention, one or more fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, or the like, which can be actuated using a control fluid, such as air. In some cases, the control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using an external pump or other device, which may be detachable in certain instances. In one embodiment, one or more of the fluid handling devices may be generally rigid (e.g., having a spheroid shape), optionally with a diaphragm contained within the device, dividing it into first and second compartments.

Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands.

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.

Intravascular blood pumps and methods of use. The blood pump include a pump portion that includes a collapsible blood conduit defining a blood flow lumen between an inflow and an outflow. The pump portion includes a distal collapsible impeller axially spaced from a proximal collapsible impeller, at least a portion of each of the distal and proximal collapsible impellers disposed between the inflow and the outflow.

Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.

Blood in a separation chamber is separated into a red blood cell layer, a plasma constituent, and a mononuclear cell-containing layer. A portion of the plasma constituent exits the chamber via a plasma outlet, while a first portion of the red blood cell layer exits via a red blood cell outlet. A second portion of the red blood cell layer exits the chamber via the red blood cell outlet and is collected. At least a portion of the collected red blood cell layer may then be conveyed to the chamber via the red blood cell outlet to convey at least a portion of the mononuclear cell-containing layer out of the chamber via the plasma outlet for collection. A second portion of the plasma constituent may be conveyed out of the chamber via the plasma outlet to more fully collect the mononuclear cell-containing layer without the use of collected plasma.

Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.