Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating composite liquids into components. Embodiments involve the use of a flexible membrane for separating a composite liquid into components. The composite liquid may include, in embodiments, a cellular containing liquid, such as whole blood or components of whole blood. In one specific embodiment, the composite liquid is a buffy coat.

The disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for sensing the volume of liquid in a container, such as within a medical device. The systems, devices, and methods can measure the properties of a signal sent across a container using non-intrusive components that remain outside the container. The measured properties can be used to determine the volume of liquid in the container, as well as changes to the volume of liquid representing flow into and out of the container.

A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, a primary outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. A valve that is responsive to centrifugal force (a “gravity” valve) selects between the outlet and the side tap outlet. The gravity valve is mounted on the rotor. When the rotor spins at high speed, the gravity valve may open the primary outlet and close the side tap outlet. When the rotor spins at a lower speed, the gravity valve may open the side tap outlet and close the primary outlet.

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a control unit configured to monitor an amount of fluid withdrawn from a heater bag line during a PD treatment. A processor in the control unit is configured to operate a first pump to draw fluid into a first pump chamber and measure a first fluid volume in the first pump chamber. The processor is further configured to operate the first pump and a second pump to transfer fluid from the first pump chamber to a second pump chamber, measure a second fluid volume in the second pump chamber, and determine a measured fluid volume for a single pump cycle based on the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume. The first fluid volume is correlated to the second fluid volume and, therefore, the multiple independent measurements increase an accuracy of the fluid volume measurement.

Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating composite liquids into components. Embodiments involve the use of a flexible membrane for separating a composite liquid into components. The composite liquid may include, in embodiments, a cellular containing liquid, such as whole blood or components of whole blood. In one specific embodiment, the composite liquid is a buffy coat.

A hemodialysis enhancement apparatus involves a bladder having elastically deformable surface that forms a variable volume therewithin. The elastically deformable surface has a smooth interior surface such that blood cannot collect to form a blood clot. The hemodialysis enhancement apparatus further includes a rigid housing having a wall surrounding the bladder and defining a housing volume such that a) when the variable volume chamber has a volume equal to the first volume, most of the elastically deformable surface will be spaced apart from the wall, and b) when the variable volume chamber has a volume equal to the second volume, a substantial portion of the elastically deformable surface will abut the wall. A method performed within a hemodialysis system involves, during an initial phase, withdrawing a volume of a patient's blood into a hemodialysis enhancer, and during a subsequent phase, translocating the patient's blood back into the patient's circulation.

In medical apparatus, for example a dialysis machine, a pump in conjunction with a multichambered reservoir is provided. The volume pumped is determined by counting the number of fills of the reservoir made during a pumping phase. A less expensive pump may be used whilst maintaining an accurate determination of the volume pumped.

In medical apparatus, for example a dialysis machine, a pump is used to move fluid such as purified water or dialysate. The pump performance is monitored by determining the weight or mass of the fluid being pumped. A less expensive pump may be used whilst maintaining an accurate determination of the volume pumped.

Provided is a blood purifying apparatus including a blood purifying filter in which mass transfer occurs between blood and dialysis fluid, a blood tube connecting the blood purifying filter and a patient to allow blood to flow therethrough, a dialysis fluid supply tube connected to the blood purifying filter and allowing dialysis fluid to be supplied to the blood purifying filter therethrough, a dialysis fluid discharge tube connected to the blood purifying filter and allowing dialysis fluid to be discharged from the blood purifying filter therethrough; and a fluid pumping device. The fluid pumping device further includes a plurality of chamber each having an internal space, a chamber pressurizing member disposed inside the plurality of chambers and compressing or expanding the chambers to thereby allow a fluid to flow therethrough, and a flow controller controlling a flow passage.

A container for warming fluids comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, a fluid conduit configured for fluidly communicating the inlet and outlet ports, and deflection sections. The fluid conduit has a non-constant maximum width in a direction of fluid flow through the fluid conduit. The deflection sections further comprise an entry section and an exit section, each respective exit section being arranged downstream, in the direction of fluid flow, from each respective entry section. The maximum width of the fluid conduit decreases along the direction of fluid flow through the entry section over a first distance and the maximum width of the fluid conduit increases along the direction of fluid flow through the exit section over a second, different distance. An apparatus for warming fluids in, an extracorporeal blood circuit including, and a blood treatment apparatus including the container are also provided.