Access disconnection systems and methods using conductive contacts

An extracorporeal blood system comprising:

• an extracorporeal blood machine including an extracorporeal blood circuit that defines a lumen through which blood of a patient can flow;
• an access device enabling the extracorporeal blood circuit to be connected to the patient;
• first and second electrodes located within the lumen so as to contact blood flowing through the extracorporeal blood circuit, the first and second electrodes enabling an electrical signal to be injected into the extracorporeal blood circuit;
• first and second coupling devices holding the first and second electrodes, respectively;
• first and second contact members extending into the first and second coupling devices, respectively, to contact the first and second electrodes;
• and
• electronics coupled operably to the first and second contact members outside the lumen, the electronics configured to apply a signal to the blood for monitoring the access device.

An extracorporeal blood system comprising:

• an extracorporeal blood machine including an extracorporeal blood circuit;
• an access device enabling the extracorporeal blood circuit to be connected to a patient;
• first and second coupling devices for connecting respectively to first and second tubes of the extracorporeal circuit, the first and second coupling devices each including an opening;
• first and second electrodes held by the first and second coupling devices so as to contact blood flowing through the extracorporeal blood circuit, the first and second electrodes enabling an electrical signal to be injected into the extracorporeal blood circuit;
• first and second contact members contacting the first and second electrodes through the respective openings of the first and second coupling devices;
• and
• electronics coupled operably to the first and second contact members for applying the electrical signal, the signal used to monitor the access device.