Systems and methods for performing blood processing and/or fluid exchange procedures

Abstract

A flow management system comprising a first panel having a fluid pathway and a second panel having a fluid pathway for passing a second fluid. The fluid pathway of the first panel passes a first fluid. The first panel includes a first compartment to receive a volume of the first fluid. The second panel includes a second compartment to receive a volume of the second fluid. The first and second panels are aligned so that the first compartment overlays the second compartment. The flow management system may be placed within a gap defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first and second compartments are disposed within the gap so that the second compartment bears against the second surface as the second fluid fills the second compartment and forces the first fluid out from the first compartment as the first compartment bears against the first surface.

1 . A fluid circuit assembly for blood treatment systems comprising: a first fluid pathway, a second fluid pathway, and an element to hold the first and second fluid paths in overlapping alignment such that one can exert a force on the other.  
   
   
       2 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways is defined between sheets of flexible material.  
   
   
       3 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways is formed by radio frequency sealing of flexible material.  
   
   
       4 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid pathway includes an inlet to receive a first fluid, and wherein the second fluid pathway includes an inlet to receive a second fluid that is different than the first fluid.  
   
   
       5 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes an in-line valve region.  
   
   
       6 . An assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the in-line valve region is formed to present a channel width of no greater than about 0.4 inch.  
   
   
       7 . An assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the in-line valve region is defined between heat-sealed seams.  
   
   
       8 . An assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat-sealed seams present a channel width for the in-line valve region of no greater than about 0.4 inch.  
   
   
       9 . An assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat sealed seams are formed between sheets of flexible material having wall thickness, and wherein melted material adjacent the heat-sealed seams is generally less than twice the wall thickness of the flexible sheets.  
   
   
       10 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes an in-line pump region.  
   
   
       11 . An assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the pump region includes a peristaltic pumping element.  
   
   
       12 . An assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes more than one in-line pump region.  
   
   
       13 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes an in-line fluid-receiving chamber.  
   
   
       14 . An assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the in-line fluid receiving chamber has a height of no greater than about 5 inches and a width of no greater than about 2.75 inches.  
   
   
       15 . An assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the in-line fluid receiving chamber has a height of about 3.6 inches and a width of about 1.2 inches.  
   
   
       16 . An assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one first and second fluid pathway includes a flow bypass region communicating with the in-line fluid receiving chamber.  
   
   
       17 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the flow bypass region includes a pressure relief valve.  
   
   
       18 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the flow bypass region has an inlet formed to present a channel width of no greater than about 0.6 inch.  
   
   
       19 . An assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes more than one in-line fluid-receiving chamber.  
   
   
       20 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes a region for sensing presence of blood.  
   
   
       21 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes a region for sensing temperature.  
   
   
       22 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes a region for sensing pressure.  
   
   
       23 . An assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the region for sensing pressure has an interior diameter that is greater than about 0.4 inch.  
   
   
       24 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways is free of an air-fluid interface.  
   
   
       25 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes a pressure relief valve.  
   
   
       26 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluid pathways includes a flow bypass region.  
   
   
       27 . An assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the flow bypass region has an inlet formed to present a channel width of no greater than about 0.6 inch.  
   
   
       28 . An assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the flow bypass region includes a pressure relief valve.  
   
   
       29 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid pathway includes a first in-line valve region that closes in response to exterior force, wherein the second fluid pathway includes a second in-line valve region that closes in response to exterior force, and wherein the element holds the first and second in-line valve regions in overlapping alignment for concurrent closure by external force.  
   
   
       30 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid pathway includes a first in-line peristaltic pumping region, wherein the first fluid pathway includes a second in-line peristaltic pumping region, and wherein the element holds the first and second in-line peristaltic pumping regions in alignment for concurrent operative engagement with peristaltic pump rotors.  
   
   
       31 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid pathway includes a first in-line fluid-receiving chamber, wherein the first fluid pathway includes a second in-line fluid-receiving chamber, and wherein the element holds the first and second in-line fluid-receiving chambers in overlapping alignment so that fluid received in the first in-line fluid-receiving chamber displaces fluid from the second in-line fluid-receiving chamber, and vice versa.  
   
   
       32 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , further including at least one external tubing communicating with at least one of the first and second fluid pathways.  
   
   
       33 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the element comprises a frame holding the first and second fluid pathways.  
   
   
       34 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the element comprises a cartridge holding the first and second pathways in overlapping alignment for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine.  
   
   
       35 . An assembly according to  claim 34 , further including at least one external tubing communicating with at least one of the first and second fluid pathways, and wherein the cartridge holds the tubing in alignment with the at least one first and second fluid pathway.  
   
   
       36 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a blood processing procedure.  
   
   
       37 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a fluid exchange procedure.  
   
   
       38 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a fluid balancing procedure.  
   
   
       39 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a hemofiltration procedure.  
   
   
       40 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a hemodialysis procedure.  
   
   
       41 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a hemodialysis with hemofiltration procedure.  
   
   
       42 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid pathways are configured to support a peritoneal dialysis procedure.  
   
   
       43 . A method of processing fluid to and from an animal body comprising the steps of: providing a fluid circuit assembly as defined in  claim 1 , conveying incoming fluid removed from the animal body through the first fluid pathway, and conveying a replacement fluid for the incoming fluid through the second fluid pathway, and conveying the replacement fluid from the second fluid pathway to the animal body.  
   
   
       44 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the conveyance of fluids through the first and second fluid pathways occurs concurrently.  
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the return of replacement fluid to the animal body from the second fluid pathway occurs, at least for a time period, in volumetric balance with the conveyance of incoming fluid from the animal body through the first fluid pathway.  
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the incoming fluid conveyed through the first fluid pathway is removed from the animal body using hemofiltration.  
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the incoming fluid conveyed through the first fluid pathway is removed from the animal body using hemodialysis.  
   
   
       48 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the incoming fluid conveyed through the first fluid pathway is removed from the animal body using hemodialysis and hemofiltration.  
   
   
       49 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the incoming fluid comprises spent peritoneal dialysis solution, and wherein the replacement fluid comprising fresh peritoneal dialysis solution.  
   
   
       50 . A method of processing blood comprising the steps of: providing a fluid circuit assembly as defined in  claim 1 , separating a targeted material from the blood, conveying the targeted material into the first fluid pathway for processing, and processing a replacement fluid for the targeted material in the second fluid pathway.  
   
   
       51 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein the separating step includes hemofiltration.  
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein the separating step includes dialysis.  
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein the separating step includes hemofiltration and hemodialysis.  
   
   
       54 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein the processing in the first and second fluid pathways occurs concurrently.  
   
   
       55 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein the processing of the targeted material in the first fluid pathway occurs, at least for a time period, in volumetric balance with the processing of replacement fluid in the second fluid pathway.