Blood treatment systems and methods

Abstract

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. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 624,460, filed on Sep. 21, 2012, and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2013 / 0074959; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 871,680, filed on Oct. 12, 2007, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,273,049; which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 904,024, filed on Feb. 27, 2007, and U.S. Provisional to Patent Application No. 60 / 921,314, filed on Apr. 2, 2007.[0002]This application is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 480,444, filed on May 24, 2012, and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2013 / 0037485; which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 489,544, filed on May 24, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 498,394, filed on Jun. 17, 2011.[0003]This applicat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a system and method for treating blood using compressed gas. If there is a power loss, the system can automatically activate the compressed gas to increase pressure in the blood flow path and push the blood back to the patient. This helps to maintain the blood flow and prevent damage to the patient during a power loss or other malfunctions in the treatment system.

Problems solved by technology

Many factors make hemodialysis inefficient, difficult, and expensive.

These factors include the complexity of hemodialysis, the safety concerns related to hemodialysis, and the very large amount of dialysate needed for hemodialysis.

Therefore any increase in the ease and efficiency of the dialysis process could have an impact on treatment cost or patient outcome.

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