Patent ID: 6044691
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for testing the integrity of a blood tubing set for an extracorporeal circuit, said blood tubing set comprising an arterial line with an arterial clamp and a venous line with a venous clamp, the method performed in situ in a machine containing said blood tubing set and having arterial and venous manifold ports for receiving said arterial and venous lines, said ports connected to hydraulic circuitry in said machine by one or more valves,the method comprising the steps of:a) connecting said arterial and venous lines to said arterial and venous manifold ports;b) evacuating fluid which may be present in said blood tubing set, comprising the steps of opening said arterial and venous clamps and introducing air into said arterial and venous lines to push said fluid out of said extracorporeal circuit;c) isolating said blood tubing set from said hydraulic circuitry in said machine by closing said one or more valves;d) forcing air into said blood tubing set so as to raise the pressure in said blood tubing set substantially above ambient atmospheric pressure;e) measuring the pressure in said blood tubing set with a pressure sensor; andf) measuring the pressure decay in said blood tubing set by making a second pressure measurement after a dwell period, the magnitude of said pressure decay indicative of the condition of said blood tubing set; andwherein said arterial and venous manifold ports receiving said arterial and venous lines are in fluid communication with a dialysate preparation system and wherein said one or more valves, when closed, isolate said ports from said dialysate preparation system.