PERITONEAL DIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS EMPLOYING A LIQUID DISTRIBUTION AND PUMP CASSETTE WITH SELF-CONTAINED AIR ISOLATION AND REMOVAL

摘要

Systems and methods for peritoneal dialysis establish How communicationbetween a patient's peritoneal cavity [tube connector (35)]and a drain [tube connector (29)] through a pump chamber (P1. P2) havinggenerally vertically spaced upper and lower regions [upper ports(64), lower ports (66)] and a diaphragm (59, 61). The systems and methodsoperate the pump chamber, with the upper and lower regionsoriented generally vertically, by applying fluid pressure to the diaphragm(59, 61). The systems and methods direct liquid to the patient'speritoneal cavity only from the lower region of the pump chamber. 1n this way,the improved systems and methods collect air in the upperregion of the vertically oriented pump chamber, while isolating the patient'speritoneal cavity from air in the pump chamber.