Patent ID: 9101716
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A dialysis system, comprising: a dialyzer having dialysis fluid inlet and outlet ports; a blood pump connected to the dialyzer for pumping blood from a patient; at least one drip chamber in series with the dialyzer; a first multi-position valve for connection between the patient and the blood pump; a second multi-position valve for connection between the patient and the drip chamber, wherein the first valve and the second valve are capable of connection in a first position for the first valve to allow a flow of blood from the patient to the blood pump and the second valve to allow a flow of the blood from the drip chamber to the patient, and are capable of connection in a second position for the second valve to allow a flow of blood from the patient to the blood pump and the first valve to allow a flow of the blood from the drip chamber to the patient; at least one source of fresh pre-mixed dialysis fluid in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid inlet port; a pump connected with the at least one source of the fresh pre-mixed dialysis fluid; interconnecting lines between the patient and the valves for drawing blood from the patient and returning the blood to the patient; a connection from the dialysis fluid outlet port to the dialysis fluid inlet port that allows recirculation of spent dialysis fluid from the outlet port to the inlet port; and a controller programmed to cause (i) a flow of spent dialysis fluid that has passed through the dialyzer to be directed through the connection and mixed with a flow of fresh pre-mixed dialysis fluid from the at least one source, and (ii) the mixed flow of spent dialysis fluid and fresh pre-mixed dialysis fluid to be directed to the dialysis fluid inlet port, such that a number of passes of spent dialysis fluid through the dialyzer is set by a ratio of a flow of spent dialysis fluid within the dialyzer to the flow of fresh pre-mixed dialysis fluid, the ratio low enough that the fresh pre-mixed dialysis fluid from the at least one source is used during therapy.