Automatic priming of connected blood sets

Abstract

A blood processing system (e.g. a dialysis system) having a blood processing unit (e.g. a hemodialyzer) and tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets (10, 14) may be primed by temporarily connecting together the ends of the sets and then passing priming solution in a first flow direction (44) that is retrograde to the normal flow of blood. This causes the priming solution to enter an in-line chamber (64) carried by one of the sets. At the same time, air is removed through a port (62). Preferably, the chamber includes a filter (65). In another step, priming solution is passed through the sets in a second flow direction (42), opposite the first flow direction, while continuing to remove air through the port. Preferably, the solution is passed in the first flow direction by gravity and in the second flow direction with a pump (26a). The solution can also be passed in both directions simultaneously. In another method of the invention, the hemodialyzer (12) is connected to an end of each set after the sets are primed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.