Single needle alternating blood flow system

Claim 2

A hemodialysis system for treatment of a patient comprising: means for withdrawing blood from said patient; a first arterial blood pump having an input coupled to said withdrawing means and an output; a dialyzer having an input coupled to the output of said arterial blood pump and an output for purifying blood flowing therethrough; a flexible blood accumulator having an input coupled to the output of said dialyzer and_an output, the outside of said flexible accumulator being exposed to atmospheric pressure so as to reference blood pressure within said accumulator to atmospheric pressure; a second venous blood pump having an input coupled to the output of said accumulator and an output; and means, coupled to the output of said venous blood pump, for returning purified blood to said patient.

Claim 3

A hemodialysis system for treatment of a patient comprising: means for withdrawing blood from said patient; a first arterial blood pump having an input coupled to said withdrawing means and an output; a dialyzer having an input coupled to the output of said arterial blood pump and an output for purifying blood flowing therethrough; a flexible blood accumulator having an input coupled to the output of said dialyzer and an output; non-compliant means surrounding said accumulator for preventing expansion of said accumulator beyond a given size; a second venous blood pump having an input coupled to . the output of said accumulator and an output; and means, coupled to the output of said venous blood pump, for returning purified blood to said patient.

Claim 4

A hemodialysis system for treatment of a patient comprising: means for withdrawing blood from said patient; a first arterial blood pump having an input coupled to said withdrawing means and an output; a dialyzer having an input coupled to the output of said arterial blood pump and an output for purifying blood flowing therethrough; a flexible blood accumulator having an input coupled to the output of said dialyzer and an output; non-compliant means surrounding said accumulator for preventing expansion of said accumulator beyond a given size; a second venous blood pump having an input coupled to . the output of said accumulator and an output; and means, coupled to the output of said venous blood pump, for returning purified blood to said patient.

Claim 5

The arrangement of Claim 2, wherein said non-compliant means comprises a rigid tube.

Claim 6

The arrangement of Claim 2, wherein said non-compliant means comprises a non-stretch jacket.

Claim 7

The arrangement of Claim 2, wherein said non-compliant means comprises a mylar sleeve.

Claim 8

any one of 6. The arrangement of/Claims 1 to 5 wherein said first and last recited means comprise legs of a hollow needle with a Y-shaped junction.

Claim 9

any one of 7. The arrangement of/Claims 1 to 6 wherein said flexible blood accumulator comprises a compliant vinyl bag.

Claim 10

The arrangement of Claim 7 wherein said vinyl bag exhibits an elongated shape with said input and output located at opposite ends thereof.

Claim 11

7 or 9. The arrangement of Claim/8, wherein said vinyl bag includes fiber-reinforced walls.

Claim 12

any one of 10. The arrangement of/Claims 1 to 9 further comprising: a post-arterial pump drip chamber coupled between said output of said arterial blood pump and said input of said dialyzer; and a venous drip chamber coupled between said output of said dialyzer and said input of said flexible blood accumulator.

Claim 13

A blood tubing set for a henodialysis system comprising: a first, arterial blood tubing set including a male luer; a first pressure pillow coupled to said male luer by a tubing segment; an arterial blood pump segment coupled to said first pressure pillow by a tubing segment; and a first luer collar mounted on a further tubing segment, said further tubing segment being coupled to said arterial blood pump segment; and a second, venous blood tubing set including a second luer collar mounted on a first venous tubing segment; a flexible blood accumulator bag having a first end, and a second end coupled to said first venous tubing segment; a second pressure pillow connected to said first end of said accumulator bag by a tubing segment; a venous blood pump segment coupled to said second pressure pillow by a tubing segment; and a male luer coupled to said venous blood pump segment by a tubing segment.

Claim 14

A blood tubing set for a henodialysis system comprising: a first, arterial blood tubing set including a male luer; a first pressure pillow coupled to said male luer by a tubing segment; an arterial blood pump segment coupled to said first pressure pillow by a tubing segment; and a first luer collar mounted on a further tubing segment, said further tubing segment being coupled to said arterial blood pump segment; and a second, venous blood tubing set including a second luer collar mounted on a first venous tubing segment; a flexible blood accumulator bag having a first end, and a second end coupled to said first venous tubing segment; a second pressure pillow connected to said first end of said accumulator bag by a tubing segment; a venous blood pump segment coupled to said second pressure pillow by a tubing segment; and a male luer coupled to said venous blood pump segment by a tubing segment.

Claim 15

An arterial blood tubing set for a single needle henodialysis system comprising: a male luer; a first pressure pillow coupled to said male luer by a tubing segment; an arterial blood pump segment coupled to said first pressure pillow by a tubing segment; a post-arterial pump drip chamber coupled to said arterial blood pump segment by a tubing segment; and a first luer collar mounted on a further tubing segment, said further tubing segment being coupled to said drip chamber.

Claim 16

An arterial blood tubing set for a single needle henodialysis system comprising: a male luer; a first pressure pillow coupled to said male luer by a tubing segment; an arterial blood pump segment coupled to said first pressure pillow by a tubing segment; a post-arterial pump drip chamber coupled to said arterial blood pump segment by a tubing segment; and a first luer collar mounted on a further tubing segment, said further tubing segment being coupled to said drip chamber.

Claim 17

A venous blood tubing set for a single needle hemodialysis system comprising: a second luer collar mounted on a first venous tubing segment; a venous drip chamber having an input coupled to said first venous tubing segment and an output; a flexible blood accumulator bag having an input coupled to said output of said drip chamber by a tubing segment and having an output; a second pressure pillow coupled to said output of said accumulator bag by a tubing segment; a venous blood pump segment coupled to said second pressure pillow by a tubing segment; and a male luer coupled to said venous blood pump segment by a tubing segment.

Claim 18

A venous blood tubing set for a single needle hemodialysis system comprising: a second luer collar mounted on a first venous tubing segment; a venous drip chamber having an input coupled to said first venous tubing segment and an output; a flexible blood accumulator bag having an input coupled to said output of said drip chamber by a tubing segment and having an output; a second pressure pillow coupled to said output of said accumulator bag by a tubing segment; a venous blood pump segment coupled to said second pressure pillow by a tubing segment; and a male luer coupled to said venous blood pump segment by a tubing segment.

Claim 19

The arrangement of Claim 11 or 13, further comprising neans, coupled between said second luer collar and said accumulator bag for connecting a pressure transducer to said blood tubing set.

Claim 20

The arrangement of Claim 11 or 12, further comprising means, coupled between said arterial blood pump segment and said first luer collar for connecting said blood tubing set to a pressure gauge.

Claim 21

12 16. The arrangement of Claim 11, or 15, further comprising a heparin administration line coupled to said blood tubing set between said arterial blood pump segment and said first luer collar.

Claim 22

or 16, 17. The arrangement of Claim 11, 12, 15/wherein the interior diameter of said arterial blood pump segment is greater than the interior diameter of said tubing segments.

Claim 23

13 18. The arrangement of Claim 11, or 14, wherein the interior diameter of said venous blood pump segment is greater than the interior diameter of said tubing segments.