A blood circuit and a dialysate circuit bidirectionally circulate a fluid through a blood purification membrane of a blood purifier, and include a first flow route that causes a dialysate to flow from the dialysate circuit into the blood circuit through a connection flow route connecting the dialysate circuit to the blood circuit while bypassing the blood purifier, and a second flow route that causes the dialysate to flow from the dialysate circuit into the blood circuit through the blood purification membrane. The controller performs control such that blood in the blood circuit is returned to the body by feeding the dialysate to one of these flow routes, determine if a flow amount of the dialysate reaches a predetermined flow amount, and control such that the blood in the blood circuit is returned to the body by feeding the dialysate to the other one of these flow routes.

A dialysis apparatus has a connection channel that communicatively connects a dialysate circuit and a blood circuit, and circulates dialysate from the dialysate circuit to the blood circuit via the connection channel during a priming operation. A blood pump has a tube attachment device that switches from an unattached state in which a tube is positioned outside a housing and permits liquid to circulate thereinside, to an attached state in which the tube is in the housing and a rotor compresses the tube. At the time of priming, the liquid feeding pump feeds dialysate from the dialysate circuit to the blood circuit via the connection channel. With the blood pump being in the unattached state, the dialysate is circulated past the blood pump, and then, with the blood pump in the attached state, the dialysate is circulated in a direction opposite to the blood pump.

An extracorporeal blood treatment device and a method for automatic priming of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The device includes an extracorporeal circuit, a dialyser, a dialysis liquid circuit and a control unit. The control unit is designed to control the priming such that a liquid is delivered from the dialysis liquid circuit via a membrane of the dialyser to the extracorporeal circuit, and to actuate valves and/or pumps in the dialysis liquid circuit such that pressure builds up in the dialyser on the dialysis liquid side. The control unit actuates a flow machine in the extracorporeal circuit to perform a push cycle, in which the flow machine pushes air into the extracorporeal circuit, and a pull cycle, in which the flow machine draws air out from the extracorporeal circuit, to assist a transfer of the liquid through the membrane of the dialyser during the priming process.

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.

A dialysis apparatus has a connection channel that communicatively connects a dialysate circuit and a blood circuit, and circulates dialysate from the dialysate circuit to the blood circuit via the connection channel during a priming operation. A blood pump has a tube attachment device that switches from an unattached state in which a tube is positioned outside a housing and permits liquid to circulate thereinside, to an attached state in which the tube is in the housing and a rotor compresses the tube. At the time of priming, the liquid feeding pump feeds dialysate from the dialysate circuit to the blood circuit via the connection channel. With the blood pump being in the unattached state, the dialysate is circulated past the blood pump, and then, with the blood pump in the attached state, the dialysate is circulated in a direction opposite to the blood pump.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a method for priming an extracorporeal blood circuit using a blood treatment apparatus comprising a dialysis liquid preparation system having, a source of water, a source of bicarbonate concentrate and a source of acid concentrate including sodium chloride while not having a source of sodium chloride only, the method including preparing a priming solution from said source (of water and said source of acid only to obtain an acid/water solution, wherein bicarbonate from the source of bicarbonate concentrate is absent from said solution, connecting an arterial line section of the extracorporeal blood circuit to an outlet of the dialysis liquid preparation system of the blood treatment apparatus, and filling the extracorporeal blood circuit with said priming solution.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for filtration and/or dilution of fluids, in particular for the dialysis of blood. The systems comprise a filter device (10) having a fluid chamber (18) and comprising a first lid (20) having arranged thereon a first fluid port (22). The filter device (10) further comprises a second lid (30) having arranged thereon at least a second fluid port (32). The filter device (10) further comprises a plurality of hollow fibers (40) arranged within the housing (12), wherein each of the plurality of hollow fibers (40) comprises a semi-permeable membrane and defines a fluid channel extending longitudinally through an interior of the respective hollow fiber (40). Also, the filter device (10) comprises a fourth fluid port (50) and a fifth fluid port (52) both provided at the fluid chamber (18).

A portable dialysis cabinet for use in dialysis. The portable dialysis cabinet can have a size and weight that facilitates easy movement of the cabinet from one location to another with relative ease. The portable dialysis cabinet can have additional features necessary to facilitate portability, such as wheels and a handle. In general, the portable dialysis cabinet can contain all the necessary components for performing a dialysis session.

Embodiments of the invention pertain to cartridges, systems and methods for performing hemodialysis and related extracorporeal blood treatment modalities and therapies, in which blood flows in the inter fiber space and dialysate flows in the lumens of hollow fibers. Appropriate connectors and fitting orientations may be provided. There may be provided orbital distributors, fanning of fibers, and features to promote uniformity of fiber spacing in the fiber bundle. Orbital distributors may contain contoured surfaces, flow redirectors, non-uniform-conductance flow elements, through-wall distributors, and other features. There may be subdivision of the fiber bundle into two groups of fibers with separate control fluid to each group. Appropriate systems may be provided for various therapies. Flow past the fibers may be parallel, transverse or other configuration. These various features may enable long-term application to all dialysis and ultrafiltration related therapies, and also to other therapies and to applications including implantables, portables and wearables.