Patent ID: 6464878
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
The method of priming a blood processing system comprising substantially directly connected tubular arterial and venous sets for subsequent blood flow between the sets and a patient, which method comprises:(a) passing priming solution into and through the directly connected arterial and venous sets in a first flow direction that is reversed to a normal direction of blood flow through said sets, said arterial and venous sets respectively having substantially directly connected unit connectors that normally connect with opposed ends of a blood processing unit, while removing air from one of said sets through a port; (b) passing priming solution in the normal direction of flow opposite to said first direction through said system while continuing to remove air from the system through said port, until substantially all air is removed from the arterial and venous sets; and (c) after steps (a) and (b), connecting said arterial and venous unit connectors to the blood processing unit and pumping said priming solution through said arterial and venous sets and blood processing unit in the normal flow direction to flush said sets and blood processing unit without passing substantial amounts of air through the blood processing unit.