Patent ID: 7998101
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A body fluid treatment apparatus comprising: a body fluid pumping chamber containing a flexible membrane that is configured to draw body fluid into the pumping chamber under negative gaseous pressure on a gas side of the membrane and alternately to expel body fluid from the pumping chamber under positive gaseous pressure on the gas side of the membrane; a sensor that is configured to provide a flow rate signal representing the flow rate of body fluid flowing into the pumping chamber; and a control apparatus that is configured to pressurize the pumping chamber on the gas side of the membrane alternately with positive and negative gaseous pressure with reference to the flow rate signal by a) pressurizing the gas side with negative gaseous pressure and b) switching the gaseous pressure at the gas side from negative to positive upon determining that the flow rate into the pumping chamber has decreased in an amount that is predetermined to result from greater flow resistance as the pumping chamber reaches capacity at a desired cycle volume.