Patent ID: 7892197
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of priming an extracorporeal blood circuit including a venous line, an arterial line and a line to a prime waste container, wherein any two of the venous line, arterial line and line to the waste container can be selectively in fluid communication with each other, and a chamber including a filter that allows air to escape from the chamber, the method comprising: occluding one of the venous line or the arterial line while connecting the other of the venous or arterial line to the prime waste container; flowing priming fluid through the circuit so that the priming fluid flows out of either the arterial or venous line into the waste container; occluding the line to the waste container and connecting the arterial and venous lines together; circulating priming fluid through the closed extracorporeal circuit; reversing the flow through the circuit, whereby air is removed from the circuit; and detecting a liquid level in the chamber to determine whether the extracorporeal blood circuit has been sufficiently primed, wherein the steps of occluding one of the venous line or the arterial line, flowing priming fluid, occluding the line to the waste container, circulating priming fluid, reversing the flow through the circuit, and detecting the liquid level in the chamber are done without need for human manipulation, and wherein a liquid entry port and a liquid exit port are in a bottom region of the chamber, and the filter is in a top region of the chamber.