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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for increasing the accuracy of ultrafiltration in a dialysis machine and decreasing the time required for dialysis. The machine inclused a substantially non-compliant tank for mixing and storing a batch of dialsyate. In a preferred form, the tank is a hollow vessel made from a lightweight and chemically inert material, such as polypropylene, reinforced on its exterior. The machine further includes an ultrafiltration pump for pumping fluid from an extracorporeal circuit to an ultrafiltration tank commensurate with the removal of water from the patient. The pump is calibrated with the volume of fluid in the tank. The reduction in the time to conduct hemodialysis of the patient is achieved by introducing the patient's blood into the arterial line and conducting the blood to the blood pump, measuring the pressure of the blood in the arterial line, increasing the pump rate of the blood pump, and in the event that the pressure measured in the arterial line drops below a predetermined threshold value, slowing the pump rate of the blood pump.

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First Claim