Patent ID: 7713226
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a dialyzer; a blood inlet conduit configured to convey blood from a patient to the dialyzer; a saline reservoir; a saline conduit connecting the saline reservoir to the blood inlet conduit; a saline flow regulator configured to control fluid flow through the saline conduit; and a controller configured to administer successive doses of saline to a patient connected to the blood inlet conduit by successively opening and closing the saline flow regulator to permit a dose volume of saline to flow into the blood inlet conduit; wherein the controller is further configured to operate the saline flow regulator in a blood rinse-back mode, and to retain a minimum volume of saline to perform blood rinse-back before the patient is disconnected by preventing a user from dispensing saline that would decrease the remaining volume below a reserve volume.