Patent ID: 8529487

Claim:
Method for priming an extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising the steps of: providing an extracorporeal blood circuit which comprises a blood chamber of a blood treatment device, an arterial line for withdrawing blood to be treated from a patient, and a venous line for return of the blood when treated to the patient; the blood treatment device being of a type having a semipermeable membrane; the arterial line having a first arterial end and a second arterial end; the venous line having a first venous end and a second venous end; connecting the first arterial end and the first venous end to the blood chamber of the blood treatment device; connecting the second arterial end to a first discharge port and the second venous end to a second discharge port; connecting a fluid circuit to the first discharge port and the second discharge port; connecting means for controlling or limiting a flow between the first and the second discharge ports to the fluid circuit, comprising a step of connecting means to the fluid circuit which means are for preventing a flow between the first and second discharge ports, the step of connecting to the fluid circuit means for preventing a flow comprising a step of connecting to the fluid circuit a first check valve configured for preventing a flow towards the first discharge port; filling the extracorporeal blood circuit with a priming fluid; and discharging excess fluid from the extracorporeal blood circuit through the first discharge port and/or through the second discharge port; wherein the step of connecting the fluid circuit means for preventing a flow comprises a stage of connecting to the fluid circuit a second check valve which is configured for preventing a flow towards the second discharge port.