Dialysis system and methods

Abstract

Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of priming a tubing set and a dialyzer of a dialysis system, comprising the steps of:
 operating a blood pump of the dialysis system to flow saline from a saline source into the tubing set and into a blood-side of the dialyzer; and   periodically actuating one or more valves of the dialysis system with an electronic controller to open and close the tubing set to create a pulsing effect that dislodges air bubbles from the tubing set and dialyzer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring a fluid level of the saline in a venous drip chamber of the tubing set; and   stopping operation of the blood pump when the fluid level in the venous drip chamber stabilizes.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring the tubing set for the presence of air; and   stopping operation of the blood pump when air no longer circulates through the tubing set.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating a dialysate pump to flow dialysate from a dialysate source into a dialysate-side of the dialyzer to remove air from the dialysate-side of the dialyzer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein air is removed from the dialysate-side of the dialyzer without physically manipulating an orientation of the dialyzer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein air is removed from the dialysate-side of the dialyzer without physically adjusting an orientation of the dialyzer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, during the operating step, opening one or more valves of the dialysis system with the electronic controller to allow the saline to flow from the saline source into the tubing set. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the operating steps further comprise operating the blood pump with an electronic controller of the dialysis system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the saline flows out of the tubing set through a union joint that attaches a venous line of the tubing set to an arterial line of the tubing set. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a predetermined volume of saline flows through the union joint before the dialysis therapy can begin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating step comprises operating the blood pump of the dialysis system in a first direction, the method further comprising:
 connecting the tubing set to a patient; and   operating the blood pump of the dialysis system in a second direction opposite to the first direction to flow saline from the tubing set into the patient.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein saline flows into the venous drip chamber and out of the venous drip through connections located at a bottom of the venous drip chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the air bubbles from the tubing set and dialyzer. 
     
     
         14 . A dialysis system, comprising:
 a housing;   a plurality of valves disposed on the housing;   a pump disposed on the housing;   a tubing set configured to be mounted on the housing to place the tubing set in contact with the plurality of valves and the pump;   a dialyzer connected to the tubing set;   a saline source in fluid communication with the tubing set; and   an electronic controller operatively coupled to the plurality of valves and the pump, the electronic controller being configured to operate the pump to flow saline from the saline source into the tubing set and into a blood-side of the dialyzer, the controller being also configured to periodically actuate one or more of the plurality of valves to open and close the tubing set to create a pulsing effect that dislodges air bubbles from the tubing set and dialyzer.