Patent ID: 7462161
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: A61M,B01D

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling blood flow through an extracorporeal circuit coupled comprising: a. continuously withdrawing the blood from a withdrawal blood vessel in a patient into the extracorporeal circuit, processing the blood in the circuit, and infusing the processed blood into the patient in a continuous manner, wherein the withdrawal and infusion are simultaneous; b. detecting an occlusion which at least partially blocks the withdrawal of blood from the patient; c. interrupting the continuous withdrawal of blood in step (a), and automatically and temporarily ceasing or reversing the withdrawal of the blood after step (b), d. waiting a predetermined period of time before resuming continuous withdrawal of blood; e. after step (d), determining that a pressure in withdrawal tube of the circuit is below a predetermined limit, and f. if the pressure is below the predetermined limit, resuming the continuous withdrawal of blood in step (a) to resume withdrawal of the blood.