Patent Grant
10022484
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to medical treatment methods, devices, and systems. More specifically, in embodiments at least, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to medical treatment methods, device, and systems for the treatment of renal failure.
Many blood treatment systems employ filters to allow for diffusion or convective exchange of fluid and/or molecular species to and from blood. In dialysis, for example, diffusion exchange is provided in order to remove waste products from the blood of a person. Hemofiltration is similar but relies primarily on convection of fluids including waste materials combined with convective replacement of the removed fluid. Other treatments provide combinations of diffusion and convective transport and the varying relative contributions of convective and diffusive transport.
Dialyzers and hemofilters that are in common use are essentially the same and sometimes structurally identical. The most common construction is a disposable device with a microtubular filter fiber bundle that is terminated by inlet and outlet headers to provide inlet and outlet flow to and from the blood compartment of the filter. A casing surrounds the bundle and defines a non-blood (e.g., waste or medicament such as dialysate) compartment for a non-blood fluid to collect or flow. At least one port is in fluid communication with this non-blood chamber or channel (the term “non-blood compartment” may be used to identify broadly a compartment, chamber, or channel or any other circuit portion based on its being on the non-blood compartment of the membrane, the general term being “compartment”). Other types of hemofilters and dialyzers are referred to generally as filters, and there are configurations other than microtubular fiber bundle types that exist as well.
Extracorporeal blood treatment is commonly performed in a clinical setting with professional and highly trained caregivers and system operators. Some systems are operable by lower skilled personnel including at-home dialysis patients who may rely on a helper. In some known blood treatment systems, a blood circuit is formed by connecting a filter, a venous line and an arterial line in series. The circuit may be primed by circulating a priming fluid on the blood compartment to fill the blood compartment of the circuit. In flowing the fluid through the blood compartment, a closed loop may be formed. After the blood compartment is primed, the non-blood compartment may be filled with fluid by attaching a source of fluid, which may be dialysate and pumping the fluid through the non-blood compartment of the filter. Filters may trap air, especially because they tend to be constructed with a high surface area compactly arranged in a small volume. Operators routinely manipulate the filter to cajole air into flowing out of the filter. The manipulations may include tilting the filter and tapping on it as well as controlling the flow in a way that helps the air to accumulate and flow out of the filter.
The process of priming takes time and attention from workers. It also adds tedium and distraction to the task of delivering care. It poses risks if not consistently performed or if a worker has been improperly trained and can make treatment less efficient if not properly done. Thus, it is desirable to provide methods, devices, and systems that allow for priming that is convenient and effective.
According to embodiments, priming systems, methods, and devices are disclosed which allow medical treatment devices that pump fluid to be primed with minimal operator intervention and/or with a high level of effectiveness for air removal, particularly from the membrane itself. In embodiments, a blood circuit has a filter which is fitted with one or more air vents of a non-blood compartment. The filter is attached to a treatment system and priming fluid pumped into and through the blood circuit. In embodiments, the priming fluid may flow in a loop. The source of fluid may be elevated, or the pumping may generate pressure, such that priming fluid is forced through the membrane of the filter. In embodiments, the air in the non-blood compartment flows out the one or more air vent(s). In embodiments, the vents are hydrophobic, which prevents fluid from being ejected, so that the priming system can run without intervention. In embodiments, the filter is positioned substantially vertically with priming fluid flowing from the bottom up. In embodiments, the filter is positioned in the normal treatment position. In embodiments, the filter is not tilted, inverted, tapped, or shaken and priming fluid thoroughly wets the membrane from the blood compartment through to the non-blood compartment without applying any fluid to the non-blood compartment so that the membrane is dry on the non-blood compartment side thereof until wetted by flow of priming fluid through the membrane from the blood compartment side. In further embodiments, the filter casing is evacuated to a very low pressure (less than 0.1 bar) and priming fluid is flowed into the filter from either side of the membrane such that air cannot be trapped in the membrane. In embodiments, priming is effective to provide substantially 100% of a filter's dialytic clearance potential (KtV/A=clearance per unit membrane area) as a result of the membrane being effectively free of air.
Objects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments will hereinafter be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Where applicable, some features may not be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features.
Filter 108 has two ports 103 and 105 which may be used for flowing dialysate across the non-blood compartment of the filter membrane. One of the ports 103 has a vented cap 101. The vented cap 101 may be configured to fit a predefined port of a predefined filter and allow air to passively flow through it, for example from the non-blood compartment, while blocking water or aqueous fluid from passing through it. An example of a vented cap 101 is a plastic snap or screw-fitting cap with a hydrophobic sterile barrier membrane fitted in an axial center face thereof. The sterile barrier may include a membrane whose pores are 0.3 micron or smaller so as to prevent passage of pathogens. The vented cap 101 permits fluid from the blood compartment to pass through it and displace the air until air is removed from the non-blood compartment. In operation, a positive pressure may be developed by the pumping such that the blood compartment has a higher pressure than the non-blood compartment. Vented cap 101 may be replaced by other devices that provide the function of allowing gas to pass through it while blocking passage of aqueous fluids. This function may be provided through an active or passive mechanism such as a control valve (manual or automated), float valve, non-sterile-barrier membrane, etc.
The positive transmembrane pressure (TMP) across the filter membrane allows fluid to flow through the membrane thereby removing air in a single direction. At the time of priming, the filter is dry and no fluids are provided to the dialysate compartment until the membrane is sufficiently (preferably entirely) wetted by the flow through the membrane from the blood compartment to the non-blood compartment. The flowing of priming fluid along the blood compartment at a positive pressure relative to the non-blood compartment and progressively in a single direction from a lower end of each fiber upwardly while maintain a condition where no fluid wets the outside of the fibers, or more generally, the non-blood compartment-side of the membranes, until they are wetted from the blood compartment-side, the air is effectively pushed out of the membrane in a manner such that no bubbles are formed. If the non-blood side of the membranes are wetted before the priming fluid has progressed completely across the thickness of the membrane, air may become trapped within the tiny channels, thus requiring excessive pressure and/or time for the transmembrane pressure to force the trapped bubble(s) through the tiny membrane channel.
Although filter 108 is shown in a vertical orientation, filter 108 can be oriented in other ways such that the port 103, with the vented cap 101, is at the top of the filter 108. Note also, as mentioned above, the port through which air is vented does not need to be one used to flow fluid into or out of filter 108 through or from the non-blood compartment. By positioning the filter with the vented port at a high location, this minimizes the amount of air that can be trapped above the port and within the non-blood compartment. The orientation may play another role by which it helps ensure that fluid progresses solely from the blood compartment, across the membrane, to the non-blood compartment by ensuring that priming fluid does not contact the non-blood compartment side of the membrane before the membrane is fully wetted from the blood compartment side thereof. The possible roles of orientation with regard to this concern is discussed with reference to
The dual lumen spike 113 may be connected to the venous 102 and arterial 104 lines by releasable connectors 119. Once released, the connectors 119 of the venous 102 and arterial 104 lines may be connected to a patient access device 129 (
Referring to
Referring to
Once the fluid has wetted the membrane, which can be determined as mentioned above, by an operator based on a predefined time employing a predefined height of the container 181 with respect to the filter 108 and any other relevant factors, the venous line 102 can be disconnected (at connector 198) and lowered to a level that brings the priming fluid up to the end of it, whereupon it can be connected to the container 181 such that both arterial 104 and venous 102 lines are filled. Referring to
In an alternative embodiment, the venous line 102 can be capped with a vent or valve or some other gas relief device and the end thereof held at a position above the fluid level in the container 181, for example, by taping it to the container 181. In this case, a vent can be a non-hydrophobic vent because the fluid level would not rise to the level required.
Once the fluid has wetted the membrane, which can be determined as described above or by inspection by an operator, the priming return line 121 can be removed and the port 103 capped or connected to a dialysate line. The venous line 102 can be unclamped to allow fluid to flow into it until it reaches the end thereof, whereupon it can be connected to the container 181 such that both arterial 104 and venous 102 lines are filled. Referring to
Once the fluid has wetted the membrane, which can be determined as mentioned above, by an operator based on a predefined time employing a predefined height of the container 183 with respect to the filter 108 and any other relevant factors, the vent caps 101 can be removed from, and a venous line 102 can be connected to, blood compartment port 99 while the distal (patient access) end of the venous line 102 is lowered to a level that brings the priming fluid up to the end of it, whereupon it can be connected to the container 181 at port 197 such that both arterial 104 and venous 102 lines are filled and a loop is formed. Referring to
Note in any of the embodiments, sensors and/or controls as well as interfaces for output and input by a user may be used to provide the functions described.
Note that in any of the embodiments, it may unnecessary, depending on the type of membrane, for a positive transmembrane pressure (blood to non-blood compartment-side) to be developed by a pump. In fact, the wetting of the membrane may be developed in the absence of a transmembrane pressure which is higher on the blood compartment side than on the non-blood compartment side. In an example embodiment, the priming fluid is pumped in such a manner that a negative transmembrane pressure (lower on the blood compartment side) is developed, for example where the blood circuit pump draws fluid through the filter. In such an embodiment, the capillary forces may be sufficient to ensure priming fluid traverses the membrane and gravity may still ensure that the lower portions of the membrane are at a higher transmembrane pressure than upper portions such that no excess, or a limited excess, of priming fluid may accumulate on a membrane non-blood second side at any points of the membrane non-blood side so that any such excess cannot flow far or, at least, cannot run to a portion of said non-blood side which may not have been fully wetted from a blood side of the membrane as a result of priming fluid traversing the membrane from the blood side.
Note that in any of the embodiments, although discussed in terms of a blood compartment and a non-blood compartment, the principles may applied to other kinds of devices, such as ones in which fluids other than blood are involved including gases. For example, plasma exchange filter may be primed using the systems, devices, and methods disclosed. Blood oxygenation filters may also be primed using the systems, devices, and methods disclosed. Filters used for purposes other than blood treatment may also be primed. Also, although the embodiments described generally relate to filters of the type that employ microtubular fiber membranes, the systems, devices, and methods disclosed may be used, or readily adapted for use, with other types of membranes such as pleated membranes, flat membranes, and others. Thus, in embodiments, there is provided, a system in which fluid is contacted with a first side of a membrane while permitting the second side, opposite the first, to remain dry until the fluid contacting the first side traverses the membrane at each point along the membrane. The driving force for fluid progressing along the membrane may be capillary, gravitational, a pumping force, or a combination of these. In embodiments, this is accomplished with, additionally, a mechanism or method that ensures that fluid that completely traverses a first portion of the membrane such that it reaches the second side of the membrane before fluid has traversed a second portion the membrane is prevented from flowing along the second side of the membrane so as to wet the second portion second side of the membrane before said second portion is fully wetted by the traversal of fluid from the second portion first side all the way to the second portion second side. Such mechanisms or methods may include the orientation of the membrane with respect to gravity. Thus, for example, the microtubular fiber type filters discussed above may be oriented with their longitudinal axis in a vertical direction and priming fluid flowed from the bottom such that due to the fluid column, the first portions of the membrane traversed, or more likely to be traversed first, are located at the bottom of the membrane and any fluid collecting on the second side of the membrane remains at the second side bottom due to gravity, which holds fluid collecting on the second side at the lowest part of the second side (in the illustrative embodiments, the non-blood side) compartment.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Forces other than gravity can play a role in ensuring that the membrane is wetted from the first side to the second side without being first wetted on the second side at any points of the second side surface thereof.
Referring to
Referring to
In all of the embodiments described, the rate of flow of priming fluid may be regulated to help to ensure, in cooperation with the other features described, that a membrane is wetted by flowing from the first side to the second without wetting any portions beforehand from the second side.
Referring now to
An alternative to vent cap 201 is to provide a filter with one or more non-blood compartment ports that are covered by hydrophobic membranes which may be punched out by a user after priming is completed. Instead of hydrophobic membranes, such ports may incorporate any of the features described herein including those described in
Referring to
Referring to
In any of the embodiments disclosed, the vented cap 101 may take the form of vent cap 201 of
In any of the embodiments, the blood circuit or blood circuit portion may supplied with a non-blood circuit portion in a kit together with other components. For example, the following kits may be provided:
Referring to
Referring to
As explained above, the effect that has been observed is that permitting the outside of each microtubular fiber to be wetted from both sides before all air is removed causes the air to be trapped as bubbles in the pores of the membranes so that the trapped air is not pushed out by the pumping of priming fluid into the lumens of the microtubular fibers. During the described priming processes, priming fluid flows from a blood inlet 147 at an inlet end 145 to a blood outlet 148 at the outlet end 146. As such, priming fluid may be distributed across the header of the inlet end 145 so that all microtubular fiber lumens begin to receive priming fluid at approximately the same time whereafter the priming fluid is forced through the lumens and weeps through the membranes of the microtubular fibers. In a horizontal position as indicated in
In the above discussion, the preferred direction of priming was described as being from the blood to the non-blood side of the membrane. The reason for this is that in the traditional microtubular fiber membranes, if priming fluid is forced inwardly from the outside of the membrane, by attempting to flow priming fluid from the outside of the fibers first, it is more likely that a flow of priming fluid will be generated within the microtubular fibers when fluid weeps into some portions, which flow will reach other portions which have yet to be wetted, thereby trapping air. But if the flow is sufficiently slow, which can be ascertained by experiment for each type of filter, and the orientation is such that gravity plays a significant role such that the fibers are wetted progressively from their lowest ends to the top ends, then the premature wetting caused by flow from a wet portion of the fiber to a dry portion can be minimized. Thus, the embodiments can include microtubular fiber filters in which priming of the blood side is achieved by flowing priming fluid from the outside of the microtubular fibers at a rate and with such transmembrane pressure (a low transmembrane pressure) that the flow within the fiber lumens does not progress any faster than the rate of rise of the wetting of the membrane.
Referring to
The pressure measurement pod/air detector 400 may be used to replace pressure measurement and air detector units of some legacy systems which are illustrated by the pressure measurement unit 401 (
The embodiment 400 (and 326) are adapted to replace the prior art device 401. Thus, the configuration of the chamber 402 may be selected to fit into the holder of a predetermined prior art blood treatment machine. The chamber 402 may be configured such that the detector 404 is able to detect a fluid level in the chamber volume 420 and thereby appropriately generate an alarm if needed. In the blood circuit 300 of
Pressure measurement pod/air detector 326 and pressure measurement pod 330 may be filled completely with blood. This is possible because there is no need for an air interface because there is a diaphragm. This is desirable because air interfaces can produce problems with clotting.
As described, a blood circuit has an air removal device followed by a blood chamber device with a blood chamber into which blood flows from the air removal device which chamber device is attachable to a blood level detector configured to alarm when a fluid level falls below a predefined level. The chamber device has a diaphragm separating the blood chamber from an air chamber. Air in the air chamber conveys pressure to a transducer. The blood chamber is completely filled with blood during operation of a blood treatment machine. The chamber device serves as a back-up to an existing air removal device in an attached blood circuit. For example, the air removal device may be in an attached filter that forms part of the blood circuit. The filled chamber device indicates to a level detector an acceptable status of the attached blood circuit. The chamber device is delivered as part of a blood circuit that is formed in a closed loop or can be formed as such. The chamber device has an air release.
Referring to
The diaphragm 520 is sealed around the rim 524 so that any pressure inside the internal volume is transferred to the air space enclosed by the chamber cover and transmitted pneumatically to the port 512. In this way, any change in pressure in the blood flowing in the chamber internal volume 540 will be reliably transmitted through the diaphragm to the air trapped in chamber 514 and conveyed to a transducer that may be provided on a blood treatment machine or other device. The port 508 is in communication with a release line which may be clamped, e.g., by clamp 548. In use, the entire internal volume 540 is filled with blood, which is permitted to contact the diaphragm 520 on one side thereof. If any air accumulates at all, it can be released through the port 508 by, for example, unclamping a line attached thereto. When the blood reaches the line, which may be confirmed by inspection, assuming the line is transparent, the line may be clamped again. This may be done while blood is flowing through the internal volume 540.
The device 500 is configured to replace a predefined unit conforming to the description of prior art device 401. In the device 401, the blood 461 is maintained at an intermediate level 462 inside a chamber 460. The slow movement of blood through the chamber 460 permits air to settle out and collect in the chamber 460. As more air collects, a trapped air volume 465 grows pushing the level 462 down. If the level 462 drops below a certain point, a presence of air (rather than blood) is detected by the sensor 404. An initial quantity of air is provided in the chamber 465 to ensure that air does not reach the air signal line 416. The sensor 404 activates an alarm if the level drops too low to ensure that only blood leaves the outlet 424 and gets to the patient.
In the device 500, the chamber is sized and shaped to fit a level detecting adapter for the chamber 460 of the predefined prior art device 401. The level detector 404 still responds to the presence of air at the detector 404 indicating if level gets too low. This safeguards against air leaving the internal volume 540. If the device 500 is used in place of the prior art device 401, the level sensor 404 can still be used to provide the safeguard against too much air collecting in the chamber. However, in a method of use, an operator release air to ensure that the internal volume 540 is, at all times during a treatment, filled with blood. This eliminates a blood air interface which is beneficial in terms of minimizing clotting in the blood fluid circuit that includes the device 500. The device 500 may be part of a tubing set with blood lines 550 and 552 and air release line 446 and pressure signal line 556 all pre-attached.
Referring to
A priming fluid container may be provided in the form of a standard 1 L bag. As such the priming fluid may contain compounds from plastic, such as plasticizers, softeners such as BPA, and other elements whose presence is undesirable. After attachment of the dialysate source and sink to ports 103 and 105 of the filter 114, the priming fluid may dialyzed as discussed above. Thus, according to any of the disclosed embodiments, after priming the blood circuit, the entire contents of the priming fluid container may be dialyzed. In embodiments, this includes leaving the priming fluid container in the circuit after priming and dialyzing the contents by continuously recirculating the priming fluid using the dialysate. This may also has the benefit of making the properties of the priming fluid the same as that of the dialysate which has further benefits because patients receive fluid with consistent properties during preparation, treatment, and rinseback. That is, fluid from the container may be delivered to the patient at various times, for flushing the filter via a needle-less port 320, for blood rinseback during patient disconnection, and during initial connection of the patient when a residuum of priming fluid is left in the venous line after connection to the patient access. These desirable properties, particularly the elimination or reduction of potentially toxic materials from the contained priming fluid, are beneficial to patient health and comfort.
In prior art priming, a large amount of priming fluid is disposed of during the priming process as fluid flows, by gravity, through the portions of the circuit. This is because air is purged by providing an opening leading to a waste sink or container and overflow normally occurs. Some method embodiments described herein avoid this waste and thereby conserve priming fluid for use in treatment.
The blood circuit is configured, and a method may provide, that blood waste can be collected in the priming fluid container thereby making it convenient for operators to dispose of the waste in a designated waste disposal sink rather than disposing of a full plastic container and laden fluid circuit as is often done out of convenience according to the prior art. In the method the operator performs rinseback of blood to the patient and rinses the blood lines by reconnecting the venous line and circulating priming fluid through the blood circuit in a closed loop as described with respect to priming. Then the arterial line is opened to the atmosphere and air is pumped through the circuit to push bloody fluid into the priming fluid container. The priming fluid container may then be brought, conveniently, to a liquid waste disposal facility such as a sink and emptied. The result is an empty container, such that the now empty container enters the waste stream rather than a full one (along with a filled blood circuit).
Referring to
In S108, the priming fluid is dialyzed by pumping priming fluid through the priming circuit while dialysate is circulated through the non-blood compartment of the filter 114. In S110, the patient is connected to the arterial access line by clamping the lines and disconnecting the arterial connector (e.g., 308) and connecting it to the patient access. Blood is pumped at S112 until upstream priming fluid is forced back into the container through the dual lumen spike. At S114 the venous line is transferred to the patient access. Then at S116, blood is pumped in the circuit and the patient is treated. At times during treatment, blood may be diluted with fluid from the priming container. As explained above, this blood is modified by dialysis to remove toxins that may appear as a result of the priming fluid being stored in a plastic container.
At S118 the arterial line is reconnected to the priming fluid container and priming fluid (dialyzed priming fluid) is used to rinse blood back into the patient. Then priming fluid may be circulated in the closed loop after reconnecting the arterial line to the priming fluid container to dilute any blood remaining in the circuit. Then at S120 air may be pumped through the loop circuit including the filter by disconnecting the arterial line and running the blood pump. This results in predominantly all the waste fluid ending up in the priming fluid container which may be conveniently dumped at S122 because it is essentially all in a single container which can be emptied easily.
Although the embodiment 300 forms a complete blood circuit whose components are interconnected to form a loop, the components can also be delivered separately and interconnected by the various connectors to form the same product.
Referring to
The blood circuit includes arterial blood lines 612 and venous blood line 614 joined by a blood compartment of the filter 602 (the lumens of microtubular fiber membranes in the filter 602). The filter 602 may be, as illustrated, a well-known type that has a longitudinal chamber with microtubular fiber membranes held in a bundle therein through which blood flow during a treatment. The filter 602 may have two ports 611 or more (e.g., for hemodiafiltration) for circulating dialysate through the chamber (dialysate compartment). Traditionally, the filter 602 may be oriented vertically with blood pumped upwardly by a blood pump 610 and dialysate pumped downwardly (relative to the filter 602) by a balancing pump 626 in the counter-flow arrangement.
A priming fluid container 606 is attached to the patient connection ports 613 of the arterial and venous blood lines 612 and 614 for a priming process. The priming fluid container 606 as provided may be pre-filled with a sterile priming fluid and connected using a sterile procedure to the patient connection ports 613. The priming fluid, such as blood normal saline, may be pumped through, and circulated in, the blood circuit 603 whilst the priming fluid container serves as an air trap or air settling vessel. That is, the priming fluid container by allowing priming fluid to be circulated therethrough, may permit gas, such as air, to settle out of the recirculating priming fluid. Thus any gas liberated from the filter 602 will be trapped in the priming fluid container 606 during a priming operation in which priming fluid is circulated so at to generate a positive transmembrane pressure (TMP) across the filter membrane, positive being with respect to the direction going from blood compartment to dialysate compartment such that fluid is urged from the blood compartment to the dialysate compartment. The positive TMP may be generated by means of a vacuum pump 622 that is selectively connectable with a dialysate supply line 616.
A dialysate circuit 605 is connected to the filter 602 and includes fresh dialysate supply line 616 and spent dialysate line 618. Dialysate is supplied and drawn off in a balanced fashion by a flow balancing fluid pump 626. A three way control valve 624 selectively connects the dialysate supply line 616 to the filter 602 or a vacuum pump 622 to the filter 602. A control valve 608 may be provided to allows the dialysate return line 618 to be selectively closed during priming so that the vacuum applied by vacuum pump 622 generates a negative pressure in the dialysate compartment. In embodiments, the balancing pump 626 may be configured to close the return line 618 so that a negative pressure is applied to the dialysate compartment of filter 602. For example, a stationary rotor of a peristaltic pump may block any flow thereby closing the return line 618.
A gas and fluid trap 607 may be provided to capture fluid and gas drawn by the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump 622. In embodiments, the gas and fluid trap 607 and the lines are configured to withstand a low pressure, for example, 0.03 to 0.04 bar, so that a majority of gas can be removed from the filter 602, including the membrane, before allowing priming fluid to flow thereinto. For example, the blood return line 612 can be clamped as indicated by the closed clamp 601. The fluid circuit subjected to negative pressure may be configured generally to handle a strong negative pressure, but not necessarily. According to embodiments, the negative pressure may be approximately, but slightly higher than, the temperature at which an aqueous priming solution will boil at the temperature of priming. The purpose of a very low pressure is to ensure that gas is removed from the filter membrane and other hard-to-clear parts of the filter rather than having to be displaced by the flow of priming fluid, which may be less effective.
In any of the disclosed embodiments, control valves may be automated or manual.
In a priming process, with the set up depicted in
In the priming process described with reference to
In any of the embodiments defined or described herein, the vents that allow gas to exit the filter can be of a configuration that operates as a sterile barrier so that the internal volume of the filter can be isolated against contamination just as if the one or more ports with vents were capped and sealed. In any of the embodiments defined or described herein, the vents that allow gas to exit the filter can be capped to form a sterile barrier so that the internal volume of the filter can be isolated against contamination. Then the cap can be removed to allow the priming operation.
Any of the embodiments employing vented caps may be modified by employing vented plugs, vented adhesive removable seals, or any of the described mechanisms for selectively permitting gas to flow while blocking aqueous fluids.
In any of the embodiments, the fluid described may be replaced by any aqueous fluid or any non-aqueous fluid. In any of the embodiments described, the membrane may of any construction including hydrophilic or hydrophobic components or combinations thereof.
According to first embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method of priming a blood circuit of a blood treatment system of a type whose control of a blood circuit pump thereof permits pumping in a single direction, only. The method includes connecting a blood circuit having a filter and venous and arterial lines to blood treatment machine pump. The method further includes pumping fluid from a source of fluid through the blood circuit and filter while flowing the priming fluid from a blood compartment of the filter through the membrane to a non-blood compartment of the filter.
Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments that include connecting the blood circuit to a source of priming fluid such that the venous and arterial portions are interconnected to form a flow loop. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the pumping includes pumping fluid continuously through the flow loop. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the connecting includes connecting access connectors of the arterial and venous lines to the source of fluid, the access connectors being adapted for connecting a patient access to the venous and arterial lines. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the access connectors are connected to the source of priming fluid. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the access connectors are connected to the source of priming fluid through a dual lumen connector that connects both the arterial and venous lines to the source of priming fluid. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the source of priming fluid is a container. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments that include settling air out of the priming fluid and into the container while flowing the priming fluid continuously through the flow loop. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments that include venting air from at least one port coupled to the non-blood compartment of the filter. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which venting includes passing air through at least one liquid-blocking vent attached to that at least one port. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a cap with a hydrophobic membrane. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a removable cap with a hydrophobic membrane. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the filter is a dialyzer, the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a removable cap with a hydrophobic membrane. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the filter is of the type having a bundle of microtubular fiber membranes with the blood compartment including a parallel circuit that includes the lumens of the membranes. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a cap with a hydrophobic membrane. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a removable cap with a hydrophobic membrane. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a removable cap with a membrane that provides a sterile barrier. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the filter is a dialyzer, the at least one liquid-blocking vent includes a removable cap with a hydrophobic membrane. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments that include orienting the filter such that the at least one port is positioned at a highest point of the filter body. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the filter is positioned with a longitudinal access thereof oriented at a diagonal with the vertical. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments that include installing the filter in an attachment to hold the filter and leaving it the holder for priming and for a performing a blood treatment without removing the filter or changing its orientation. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the attachment holds the filter in a fixed position. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the pumping is at a predetermined volumetric flow rate selected for priming. Any of the first embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional first embodiments in which the priming fluid is sterile saline.
A system may be configured to implement any of the foregoing methods. A fluid circuit may be configured to implement any of the foregoing methods.
According to second embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a kit for priming a blood treatment circuit. The kit includes at least one cap, having an opening in a central region thereof. The kit further includes a hydrophobic membrane attached to the cap and covering the hole such that water or aqueous fluid is prevented from flowing through the hole but air or other gas is not. The kit further includes a blood circuit portion, a blood treatment filter, or instructions for priming a fluid circuit used for extracorporeal blood treatment.
Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments in which the blood circuit portion, blood treatment filter, or instructions for priming a fluid circuit used for extracorporeal blood treatment includes a blood circuit portion. Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments in which the blood circuit portion, blood treatment filter, or instructions for priming a fluid circuit used for extracorporeal blood treatment instructions for priming a fluid circuit used for extracorporeal blood treatment. Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments in which the blood circuit portion, blood treatment filter, or instructions for priming a fluid circuit used for extracorporeal blood treatment a blood treatment filter. Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments in which the at least one cap includes the two caps identified above.
Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments which include a blood line or a patient access. Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments in which the instructions identify one or more blood treatment machines which have controllers whose control of pumping is limited to starting and stopping the pump and allowing the speed of the pump to be selected by an operator. Any of the second embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional second embodiments in which the instructions identify one or more blood treatment machines which have controllers whose control of pumping is limited to functions that do not include reversal of the pump or reversal of the flow in the blood circuit by other means.
According to third embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a blood circuit for a blood treatment system with a preconnected loop with arterial and venous blood line connectors connected together by a device for attaching both to a fluid container. The preconnected loop has a pumping portion, a blood treatment filter, and at least one pressure measuring device.
Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments in which the preconnected loop includes tubing and a pumping portion configured to engage with a peristaltic pump. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments in which the preconnected loop is enclosed in a sterile container. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments in which an interior volume of the preconnected loop is sealed from the ambient. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments in which the device for attaching is a dual lumen bag spike. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments in which the blood treatment filter has one or more non-blood ports, further comprising a cap configured to fit on the one or more non-blood ports, the cap having a hydrophobic air vent. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments in which the blood treatment filter has one or more non-blood ports with a cap configured on the one or more non-blood ports, the cap having a hydrophobic air vent. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments that include a first air trap with an air release. Any of the third embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional third embodiments that include a second air trap with an air release connected downstream of the first air trap and adapted to engage a fluid level detector.
According to fourth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method of using a blood circuit for a blood treatment device that include connecting a priming fluid container to a blood circuit. The method further includes priming the circuit after making no more than two fluid connections to a priming fluid container. The method includes emptying fluid and from the circuit into the priming fluid container by pushing with air until the circuit is emptied of fluid and emptying the priming fluid container of its contents into a waste disposal facility at a point of care. Any of the fourth embodiments may be modified, where possible, to form additional fourth embodiments in which emptying fluid and from the circuit is effective to place all fluid in the circuit in the priming fluid container.
According to fifth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a pressure measurement and air detection device for a blood tubing set has an elongate cylindrical chamber with a first internal volume adapted to fit into a predefined bracket configured to detect a fluid level. The first internal volume has an inlet and a bottom outlet, the outlet is at a bottom end thereof and the inlet is located above the outlet. The elongate cylindrical chamber has a top air outlet port that serves as an air outlet in communication with the first internal volume, the top air outlet port has a tube and a clamp arranged to permit the tube to be selectively closed. The first internal volume is closed by a diaphragm attached to the elongate cylindrical chamber at a top end thereof. A top chamber, smaller in size than the elongate cylindrical chamber and located a top thereof, has a second internal volume separated by the diaphragm from the first internal volume such that a pressure of fluid in the first internal volume exerted on the diaphragm presses against air trapped in the second internal volume forcing air out of the top air outlet port.
According to sixth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method for trapping air in a blood circuit and for measuring pressure without an air interface includes providing an elongate cylindrical chamber with a first internal volume adapted to fit into a predefined bracket configured to detect a fluid level. The first internal volume has an inlet and a bottom outlet, the outlet is at a bottom end thereof and the inlet is located above the outlet. The elongate cylindrical chamber has a top air outlet port that serves as an air outlet in communication with the first internal volume, the top air outlet port has a tube and a clamp arranged to permit the tube to be selectively closed. The first internal volume is closed by a diaphragm attached to the elongate cylindrical chamber at a top end thereof. a top chamber with a pressure signal port, the top chamber is smaller in size than the elongate cylindrical chamber and located at a top of the elongate cylindrical chamber, the top chamber has a second internal volume separated by the diaphragm from the first internal volume such that a pressure of fluid in the first internal volume exerted on the diaphragm presses against air trapped in the second internal volume forcing air out of the pressure signal port. According the sixth embodiment, the method includes connecting the pressure signal port to a pressure sensor. The method further includes filling the entire first internal volume with blood such that a surface of the diaphragm is in contact with the blood, the filling includes flow blood through the inlet and out the outlet. The method further includes unclamping the tube to prevent to release any air from the first internal volume and ensure there is no air interface within the first internal volume. The method further includes during a treatment, releasing any air that accumulates in the first internal volume by unclamping the tube. The method further includes during the treatment, measuring a pressure using the transducer.
According to seventh embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes, a method for performing a blood treatment includes providing a dry blood filter. The method further includes flowing priming fluid into a blood compartment of the dry blood filter and letting the priming fluid flow from the blood compartment, through the membrane, into the dialysate compartment until the entire membrane is fully wetted exclusively from the flow from the blood compartment, to provide a wet blood filter. The method further includes, after said flowing until the membrane is fully wetted, connecting a source of dialysate to the dialysate compartment of the wet blood filter and performing a blood treatment that includes flowing dialysate through said dialysate compartment and blood through said blood compartment.
Additional seventh embodiments may be formed wherein said letting the priming fluid flow through the membrane includes flowing priming fluid until the entire dialysate compartment is full as a result of said flowing through said membrane before said performing a blood treatment. Additional seventh embodiments may be formed wherein the flowing is such that the dialysate compartment fills progressively from one longitudinal end to the other. Additional embodiments may be formed by configuring apparatus to perform any of the foregoing method claims.
According to embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a control system configured to convey instructions to a user for performing the methods of any of the seventy embodiments.
According to eighth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes blood treatment device with a medicament compartment and a blood compartment separated by a treatment membrane. The medicament compartment has a gas vent formed therein at a top-most position of the medicament compartment, the gas vent has hydrophobic membrane that is effective as a sterile barrier.
The eighth embodiments can be modified to form further eighth embodiments in which the device of the vent may have two spaced apart sterile barrier membranes. In eight embodiments can be modified to form further eighth embodiments in which the treatment membrane is a bundle of microtubular membrane fibers. In eight embodiments can be modified to form further eighth embodiments in which the vent is remotely from a port in communication with the medicament compartment. In eight embodiments can be modified to form further eighth embodiments that include instructions for implementing the method of using the device. In eight embodiments can be modified to form further eighth embodiments that include instructions for using the device of
According to ninth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method of using a porous membrane having pores and first and second sides separated by a thickness of the membrane. The method includes flowing fluid through the membrane from the first side so as to ensure that each portion of the second side area of the membrane is wetted exclusively by flow through a corresponding portion of the first side which is directly opposite the each portion of the second side area, such that fluid is prevented from reaching said each portion of the second side area from the second side before is fully wetted by flow from said corresponding portion of the first side, whereby gas is displaced through the membrane without is trapped by fluid flowing into the membrane from the second side.
The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments wherein the membrane includes hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments wherein the membrane is housed in a dialyzer. The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments wherein the flowing fluid through the membrane includes flowing the fluid along the membrane first side while generating a positive transmembrane pressure. The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments wherein the flowing fluid through the membrane includes flowing the fluid along the membrane first side while generating a positive transmembrane pressure using a pump. The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments, wherein the flowing fluid through the membrane includes flowing the fluid along the membrane first side while generating a positive transmembrane pressure using gravity. The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments wherein the flowing fluid through the membrane includes flowing the fluid along the membrane in a direction that is against the pull of gravity. The ninth embodiments can be modified to form additional ninth embodiments wherein the flowing fluid through the membrane includes flowing the fluid along the membrane in a direction that is against the pull of gravity and the local transmembrane pressure at each point of said membrane is significantly caused by the weight of a fluid column whereby the transmembrane pressure progressively decreases in the vertical direction therealong.
According to tenth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a blood circuit kit for a blood treatment system. The kit includes a blood line with at least one connector configured to attach the blood line to a predefined blood treatment filter and a cap has a hydrophobic vent, the cap is configured fit on a port of the same predefined blood treatment filter.
The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments that include a dual lumen bag spike. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments wherein the dual lumen bag spike is pre-attached to the blood line. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments wherein the components of the kit are enclosed in a sterile bag. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments wherein the blood line has arterial and venous portions that are interconnected. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments, wherein the blood line has arterial and venous portions that are interconnected by the dual lumen bag spike. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments that include the predefined blood treatment filter. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments wherein the predefined blood treatment filter is preconnected to the blood line and the cap is attached to the predefined connector so as to form a sealed volume that includes a lumen of the blood line and the filter. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments, wherein the cap has a further impermeable cap that covers the hydrophobic vent. The tenth embodiments can be modified to form additional tenth embodiments, wherein the hydrophobic vent includes a hydrophobic membrane that is configured to function as a sterile barrier.
According to eleventh embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a blood circuit kit for a blood treatment system that includes a blood line with at least one connector configured to attach the blood line to blood compartment ports of a predefined blood treatment filter. A cap has a hydrophobic vent and is configured fit on a non-blood compartment port of the same predefined blood treatment filter.
The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments that include a dual lumen bag spike. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the dual lumen bag spike is preattached to the blood line. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the components of the kit are enclosed in a sterile bag. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the blood line has arterial and venous portions that are interconnected. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the blood line has arterial and venous portions that are interconnected by the dual lumen bag spike. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments that include the predefined blood treatment filter. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments wherein the predefined blood treatment filter is preconnected to the blood line and the cap is attached to the predefined connector so as to form a sealed volume that includes a lumen of the blood line and the filter. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the cap has a further impermeable cap that covers the hydrophobic vent. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the hydrophobic vent includes a hydrophobic membrane that acts as a sterile barrier. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the predefined filter is a dialyzer. The eleventh embodiments can be modified to form additional eleventh embodiments, wherein the blood compartment is separated from the non-blood compartment by microtubular fiber membranes.
According to twelfth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a device for a blood treatment. In the device, a blood treatment filter has a chamber with a blood compartment and a non-blood compartment and blood ports opening to the blood compartment and at least one non-blood port opening to the non-blood compartment. The blood and non-blood compartments is separated by a filter membrane. A vent is integrated in said chamber has a hydrophobic barrier that is permeable to gas but which blocks aqueous liquids, the vent is positioned to allow gas in said non-blood compartment to flow therethrough to an outside of said chamber.
The twelfth embodiments can be modified to form additional twelfth embodiments that include instructions for priming according to any of the method embodiments. The twelfth embodiments can be modified to form additional twelfth embodiments that include a seal attached to said vent. The twelfth embodiments can be modified to form additional twelfth embodiments wherein the vent includes a hydrophobic membrane configured to block pyrogens. The twelfth embodiments can be modified to form additional twelfth embodiments, wherein the vent includes a hydrophobic membrane with a pore size of no greater than 0.3 micron. The twelfth embodiments can be modified to form additional twelfth embodiments, wherein the at least one non-blood port is positioned opposite said vent on said chamber. The twelfth embodiments can be modified to form additional twelfth embodiments, wherein the blood treatment filter has a longitudinal axis and said vent is positioned at a position along said longitudinal axis that allows the vent to be located at a highest point within the volume of said non-blood compartment.
According to thirteenth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a kit for a blood treatment, the kit including a blood treatment filter has a chamber with a blood compartment and a non-blood compartment and blood ports opening to the blood compartment and at least one non-blood port opening to the non-blood compartment. The blood and non-blood compartments is separated by a filter membrane. A vented cap has a hydrophobic barrier that is permeable to gas but which blocks aqueous liquids, the vented cap is configured to cover and seal non-blood port and configured to allow gas in said non-blood compartment to flow therethrough to an outside of said chamber.
The thirteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional thirteenth embodiments, wherein the vented cap is attached to said at least on non-blood port. The thirteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional thirteenth embodiments that include instructions for priming according to any of the method embodiments. The thirteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional thirteenth embodiments, wherein the vented cap hydrophobic barrier includes a membrane. The thirteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional thirteenth embodiments, wherein the vented cap hydrophobic barrier includes a membrane with a pore size of no more than 0.3 micron. The thirteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional thirteenth embodiments, wherein the vented cap hydrophobic barrier includes a membrane that is effective to form a sterile barrier.
According to fourteenth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a kit for a blood treatment with a blood treatment filter has a chamber with a blood compartment and a non-blood compartment and blood ports opening to the blood compartment and at least one non-blood port opening to the non-blood compartment. The blood and non-blood compartments is separated by a filter membrane. A vented fluid channel has a gas vent with a hydrophobic barrier that is permeable to gas but which blocks aqueous liquids, the fluid channel is configured for attachment to said at least one non-blood port and configured to cover and seal said non-blood port and allow gas in said non-blood compartment to flow therethrough to an outside of said chamber.
The fourteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional fourteenth embodiments, wherein the vented fluid channel is attached to said at least on non-blood port. The fourteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional fourteenth embodiments that further include instructions for priming according to any of the disclosed methods. The fourteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional fourteenth embodiments, wherein the vented fluid channel hydrophobic barrier includes a membrane. The fourteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional fourteenth embodiments, wherein the vented fluid channel hydrophobic barrier includes a membrane with a pore size of no more than 0.3 micron. The fourteenth embodiments can be modified to form additional fourteenth embodiments, wherein the vented fluid channel hydrophobic barrier includes a membrane that is effective to form a sterile barrier.
According to fifteenth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes, a method for priming a blood circuit that includes connecting a blood circuit to a container of priming fluid and a filter and pumping priming fluid in a loop through the blood circuit so as to allow said priming fluid to wet a membrane of said filter while allowing said priming fluid to flow into said non-blood compartment by passing through said membrane and allowing gas to escape from a non-blood compartment of said filter while blocking said priming fluid from leaking from said non-blood compartment when it fills said non-blood compartment. A flow rate of said pumping is selected to prevent any priming fluid from passing through said membrane at a first region of the membrane above a second region of the membrane such that said second region can be wetted from a non-blood surface thereof before said second region is fully wetted by flow through said membrane due to flow along said non-blood surface from said first region to said second region.
The allowing gas to escape while blocking may include providing a hydrophobic membrane positioned to vent gas from the non-blood compartment. The allowing gas to escape while blocking may include positioning a device on a non-blood port of the filter that seals with the non-blood port of the filter, the device has a vent that passively vents gas from the non-blood compartment while blocking aqueous fluid. The allowing gas to escape while blocking may include positioning a cap on a non-blood port of the filter that seals with the non-blood port of the filter, the cap has a vent that passively vents gas from the non-blood compartment while blocking aqueous fluid. The vent may include a hydrophobic barrier element. The fifteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional fifteenth embodiments, wherein the vent includes a hydrophobic membrane. The fifteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional fifteenth embodiments, wherein the filter is a dialyzer. The fifteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional fifteenth embodiments, wherein the filter is a device used in renal replacement therapy. The fifteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional fifteenth embodiments that include using the blood circuit to perform a blood treatment.
According to sixteenth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method for priming a blood circuit including connecting at least a portion of a blood circuit to a container of priming fluid and a blood compartment of a filter and flowing priming fluid through the blood circuit into the blood compartment so as to allow said priming fluid to wet a membrane of said filter while allowing said priming fluid to flow into said non-blood compartment by passing through said membrane and allowing gas to escape from a non-blood compartment of said filter while blocking said priming fluid from leaking from said non-blood compartment when it fills said non-blood compartment. The flowing is induced by gravity such as to prevent any priming fluid from passing through said membrane at a first region of the membrane above a second region of the membrane such that said second region can be wetted from a non-blood surface thereof before said second region is fully wetted by flow through said membrane due to flow along said non-blood surface from said first region to said second region by the establishment of a pressure gradient that progressively decreases with the height of respective regions of the membrane.
The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the allowing gas to escape while blocking includes providing a hydrophobic membrane positioned to vent gas from the non-blood compartment. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the allowing gas to escape while blocking includes positioning a device on a non-blood port of the filter that seals with the non-blood port of the filter, the device has a vent that passively vents gas from the non-blood compartment while blocking aqueous fluid. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the allowing gas to escape while blocking includes positioning a cap on a non-blood port of the filter that seals with the non-blood port of the filter, the cap has a vent that passively vents gas from the non-blood compartment while blocking aqueous fluid. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the vent includes a hydrophobic barrier element. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the vent includes a hydrophobic membrane. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the filter is a dialyzer. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the filter is a device used in renal replacement therapy. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments that include using the blood circuit to perform a blood treatment. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments that include allowing gas to vent from a blood port of said filter. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the allowing gas to vent from a blood port of said filter includes venting gas from the filter blood compartment as a result of displacement of gas from lumens of microtubular fiber membranes. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the allowing gas to vent from a blood port of said filter includes passing said gas through a hydrophobic barrier. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the allowing gas to vent from a blood port of said filter includes passing said gas through a hydrophobic barrier integrated in a cap sealed to a blood compartment port of said filter. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, that include orienting a longitudinal axis of said filter in at least partially vertical direction. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments that include orienting said filter to place at least one gas vent at a top-most position of said non-blood compartment. The sixteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional sixteenth embodiments, wherein the blocking is performed passively, without action by a user.
According to seventeenth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method for preparing a blood circuit for a treatment process that includes priming a blood circuit includes a dialyzer using priming fluid from a container, the priming being effective to fill the blood circuit, a blood compartment of the filter, and a dialysate compartment of the filter. The method further includes dialyzing the priming fluid left in the blood circuit for a time sufficient to substantially remove contaminants from said priming fluid before connecting said blood circuit to a patient.
The seventeenth embodiments may be modified to form additional seventeenth embodiments, wherein the dialyzing includes disposing of dialysate after passing it through said dialysate compartment.
According to eighteenth embodiments, the disclosed subject mattes includes a method for rinsing blood back to a patient after an extracorporeal blood treatment. The method includes flowing an infusible fluid in a blood circuit includes a dialyzer, the blood circuit forming a loop includes a container and dialyzing the infusible fluid for a time sufficient to substantially remove contaminants from said priming fluid and storing dialyzed infusible fluid in said container before connecting said blood circuit to a patient. The method further includes using said dialyzed infusible fluid stored by said storing to rinse blood back to a patient following said extracorporeal blood treatment. The eighteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional eighteenth embodiments, wherein the dialyzing includes disposing of dialysate after passing it through said dialysate compartment. The eighteenth embodiments may be modified to form additional eighteenth embodiments, wherein the flowing includes priming the blood circuit using the infusible fluid.
The foregoing descriptions apply, in some cases, to examples generated in a laboratory, but these examples can be extended to production techniques. For example, where quantities and techniques apply to the laboratory examples, they should not be understood as limiting.
It will be appreciated that the modules, processes, systems, and sections described above can be implemented in hardware, hardware programmed by software, software instruction stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium or a combination of the above. For example, a method for priming can be implemented, for example, using a processor configured to execute a sequence of programmed instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. For example, the processor can include, but not be limited to, a personal computer or workstation or other such computing system that includes a processor, microprocessor, microcontroller device, or is comprised of control logic including integrated circuits such as, for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The instructions can be compiled from source code instructions provided in accordance with a programming language such as Java, C++, C#.net or the like. The instructions can also comprise code and data objects provided in accordance with, for example, the Visual Basic™ language, LabVIEW, or another structured or object-oriented programming language. The sequence of programmed instructions and data associated therewith can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a computer memory or storage device which may be any suitable memory apparatus, such as, but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk drive and the like.
Furthermore, the modules, processes, systems, and sections can be implemented as a single processor or as a distributed processor. Further, it should be appreciated that the steps mentioned above may be performed on a single or distributed processor (single and/or multi-core). Also, the processes, modules, and sub-modules described in the various figures of and for embodiments above may be distributed across multiple computers or systems or may be co-located in a single processor or system. Exemplary structural embodiment alternatives suitable for implementing the modules, sections, systems, means, or processes described herein are provided below.
The modules, processors or systems described above can be implemented as a programmed general purpose computer, an electronic device programmed with microcode, a hard-wired analog logic circuit, software stored on a computer-readable medium or signal, an optical computing device, a networked system of electronic and/or optical devices, a special purpose computing device, an integrated circuit device, a semiconductor chip, and a software module or object stored on a computer-readable medium or signal, for example.
Embodiments of the method and system (or their sub-components or modules), may be implemented on a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmed logic circuit such as a programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable array logic (PAL) device, or the like. In general, any process capable of implementing the functions or steps described herein can be used to implement embodiments of the method, system, or a computer program product (software program stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium).
Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computer program product may be readily implemented, fully or partially, in software using, for example, object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer platforms. Alternatively, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computer program product can be implemented partially or fully in hardware using, for example, standard logic circuits or a very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design. Other hardware or software can be used to implement embodiments depending on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the systems, the particular function, and/or particular software or hardware system, microprocessor, or microcomputer being utilized. Embodiments of the method, system, and computer program product can be implemented in hardware and/or software using any known or later developed systems or structures, devices and/or software by those of ordinary skill in the applicable art from the function description provided herein and with a general basic knowledge of fluid circuits, pumps, control systems, and/or computer programming arts.
Moreover, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computer program product can be implemented in software executed on a programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like.
It is, thus, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the present disclosure, methods, devices, and systems for priming. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations are enabled by the present disclosure. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc., within the scope of the invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, Applicants intend to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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