Reducing biofilm build-up in a dialysate pathway by using ultrasonication and ionization

A hydraulic system for an extracorporeal blood treatment device comprising:

• a dialysate pathway comprising a dialyzer discharge line configured to connect to an outlet of a dialyzer, and a drain line;
• at least one pump operationally configured to move a cleaning liquid through the dialysate pathway from the dialyzer discharge line to the drain line;
• at least one ultrasonic device configured to generate ultrasonic waves and positioned along the dialysate pathway so as to propagate the ultrasonic waves along at least a portion of the dialysate pathway;
• and
• a controller electrically connected to the at least one pump and to the at least one ultrasonic device, wherein
• the controller is configured to activate the at least one pump to direct a flow of cleaning liquid in the dialysate pathway from the dialyzer discharge line to the drain line, during a cleaning mode, and
• the controller is further configured to activate the at least one ultrasonic device during the cleaning mode.