Patent ID: 7186342
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of filling and washing a filter of a dialysis machine, comprising the steps of: providing a dialysis machine having: configuring the blood circuit to form a loop connected by said vent tube to the exterior of the blood circuit, whereby the pressure in the blood compartment is equal to the atmospheric pressure; operating the first pump and the second pump to fill and wash the dialysate compartment with a priming liquid at a first pressure, the priming liquid being supplied by said supplying device; when the dialysate compartment has been filled and washed with the priming liquid, operating the first pump and the second pump to supply the dialysate compartment with the priming liquid at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure and greater than atmospheric pressure, and the second pressure defining a pressure difference between the dialysate compartment and the blood compartment such that the priming liquid is transferred from the dialysate compartment to the blood compartment through the semi-permeable membrane, during said transfer, the control unit receiving information related to a pressure in the blood circuit in said loop, and the control unit processing pressure signals supplied by said first and second pressure sensors to regulate said first and second pumps; operating the peristaltic pump to circulate said priming liquid in the blood circuit in said loop, and discharging air contained in the blood circuit in said loop through the vent tube.