Patent ID: 6796955
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for controlling filtration of blood using an extracorporeal circuit having a filter and said circuit attachable to a pump having a controller, the method comprising:a. withdrawing blood from a withdrawal blood vessel in a patient into the extracorporeal circuit, filtering liquid from the blood in the circuit and infusing the filtered blood into the patient in a continuous and simultaneous manner; b. monitoring withdrawal and infusion pressure of the blood; c. based on the withdrawal or infusion pressure, detecting an occlusion which at least partially blocks the withdrawal or infusion of the blood; d. in response to the detection of the occlusion controller automatically reducing blood flow and reducing filtrate flow through the circuit; e. detecting an alleviation or the occlusion, and f. automatically increasing the blood flow and filtrate flow after the occlusion has been alleviated and without a human operator intervening in the operation of the pump.