Patent ID: 6200485
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
Continuous hemofiltration system for removal of fluid from the blood of a patient, comprising:hemofiltration means;means for pumping blood from a patient through said hemofiltration means and back to the patient;a first reservoir for maintaining a supply of infusate;first pumping means for pumping the infusate from said first reservoir to said hemofiltration means;a second reservoir for receiving drained fluid from said hemofiltration means;second pumping means for pumping the drained fluid from said hemofiltration means to said second reservoir;weighing means for monitoring the weight of the infusate and the drained fluid and generating weight data signals correlated thereto; andcontrol means operably connected to said blood pumping means and to each of said first and second pumping means and said weighing means, said control means comprising a computer programmed to operate said first and second pumping means only when said blood pumping means is operating;said blood pumping means and said first and second pumping means being responsive to signals generated by said control means;said control means receiving said weight data signals generated by said weighing means,determining from said weight data signals the weight of infusate and drained fluid in said first and second reservoirs, respectively, at regular intervals,comparing those weights to corresponding predetermined computed weights, andgenerating control signals to adjust and thereby automatically adjusting as necessary on an ongoing basis during hemofiltration the rates of pumping at least two of the following: the infusate, drained fluid and blood, while the pumps are pumping during hemofiltration, so as to remove a preselected amount of fluid from the blood over a preselected time period.