Patent ID: 8398575

Claim:
An early warning and shutdown system for hemodialysis comprising: a fluid loss detection device with a central opening surrounding a return access site through which a return line is configured to enter a patient's body, where the fluid loss detection device comprises an emergency shut-down electrical circuit loop surrounding the central opening in a radial plane wherein said emergency shut-down electrical circuit loop is activated by a fluid leak, and an early warning alarm electrical circuit loop surrounded by the emergency shut-down electrical circuit loop in the radial plant, wherein said early warning alarm electrical circuit loop is activated by a smaller fluid leak than the fluid leak that activates the emergency shut-down electrical circuit loop; and an automatic shutdown device connected to the fluid loss detection device, the automatic shutdown device comprising: a channel capable of receiving the return line; and a clamping mechanism located adjacent the channel such that the clamping mechanism does not compress the return line when the clamping mechanism is in an open position but compresses the return line to stop fluids from flowing therethrough when the clamping mechanism is in an engaged position, wherein the automatic shutdown device automatically moves the clamping mechanism from the open position to the engaged position when the emergency shut-down electrical circuit loop is activated by a fluid leak.