Patent ID: 6187198
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
The method of priming a blood processing system comprising connected tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets, for connection between a blood processing unit and a patient, which method comprises:passing priming solution into and through said connected sets in a first flow direction that is reverse to the normal direction of blood flow through said sets, while removing air from said sets through a port communicating with the sets; and passing priming solution in a second, reverse direction of flow to said first direction through said sets while continuing to remove air from the sets through said port, said method including the characteristic of pumping said solution with a flow pump through said system in only the reverse flow direction, and not in the first direction, during the entire priming process, said sets being temporarily connected together at least at one of respective ends thereof throughout the entire priming process.