Importance

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Abstract

A hydraulic system and method are provided for breaking-up, dislodging, removing, and preventing the build-up of biofilm in a dialysate pathway of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The dialysate pathway can include a dialyzer discharge line, a drain line, a dialyzer feed line, and a bypass system. At least one ultrasonic device can be positioned and configured to generate ultrasonic waves in the dialysate pathway and to propagate the ultrasonic waves along at least a portion of the dialysate pathway. The ultrasonic waves can be used to break-up biofilm. An ionizing electrode pair can also, or instead, be implemented to break-up, dislodge, remove, and prevent a build-up of biofilm. The system and method can particularly be implemented and useful in non-disposable portions of a hydraulic system of an extracorporeal blood treatment device.

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First Claim