Hemodialysis and/or ultrafiltration apparatus

Claim 1

In a portable dialysis apparatus, of the type comprising a first circuit for blood and a second circuit for ultrafiltration and dialysis liquid, the exchange between the blood and the dialysis liquid taking place through a semipermeable membrane, the improvement comprising (a) a pump means in each of said first and second circuits, each said pump means having a head and being of the type in which a flexible tube is intermittently throttled by at least one element of said pump head, said pump head being maintained in throttling engagement with said tube for at least a length thereof; (b) means for selectively connecting the output side of the pump means for said dialysis liquid either with the inlet of said dialyzer or with an ultrafiltrate collection station; (c) means for selectively connecting the input side of pump means for said dialysis liquid with the outlet of the dialyzer either through a supply tank of dialysis liquid or directly via a shunt line; (d) whereby ultrafiltration and dialysis are performable as first and second steps in sequence; (e) a pressure meter being arranged in said shunt line upstream of the pump means for said dialysis liquid; and (f) said supply tank for said dialysis liquid being provided with temperature control and adjustment means, and a filter for the absorption of toxic substances from the dialysis liquid being mounted between said outlet of said dialyzer and said supply tank.