Diaphragm pressure pod for medical fluids

A tubular blood flow set, the set comprising:

• a first pressure sensing pod and a second pressure sensing pod, each of the pods defining a chamber;
• said first pressure sensing pod being connected in flow-through relation to an arterial blood flow tubing portion of said set;
• said second pressure sensing pod being connected in flow-through relation to a venous blood flow tubing portion of said set;
• for each of said first and second pressure sensing pods, a length of pressure tubing connectable at one end with said chamber of a respective pressure sensing pod via a pressure port of the respective pressure sensing pod, for connection at the other pressure tubing end with a respective pressure measuring equipment connector to permit each of said first and second pressure sensing pods to be spaced from said respective pressure measuring equipment;
• and
• each of said pressure sensing pods having a flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted within each of said pods between connections of said arterial and venous blood flow tubing portions and said pressure tubing, said diaphragm being moveable between a first position and a second position,
• the diaphragm in said first position bowing outwardly to substantially maximize volume in said chamber that communicates with said blood flow tubing,
• the diaphragm in said second position bowing inwardly to substantially minimize but not eliminate the volume in said chamber that is inside of said diaphragm, said diaphragm in use being in contact on one side thereof with flowing blood;
• the pressure port being in communication with said chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said connections of said blood flow tubing;
• said diaphragm having a central dome portion that can flip between said first position said second position;
• the diaphragm of said first pressure sensing pod, prior to use, being arranged in the first position;
• and
• the diaphragm of said second pressure sensing pod, prior to use, being arranged in the second position, wherein
• the first pressure sensing pod includes a lower compartment portion;
• and an upper compartment portion,
• the flexible diaphragm is sealing mounted between the lower compartment portion and the upper compartment portion, and
• the lower compartment portion includes a chamber wall, a blood inlet port, a blood outlet port, and a transverse channel recessed below said wall and extending between the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port.