Systems and methods for priming sorbent-based hemodialysis using dialysis fluid

1. A method for priming a hemodialysis treatment comprising:

providing a sorbent cartridge for cleaning spent dialysate fluid returning from a dialyzer;

preparing a batch of dialysate in a quantity commensurate with being recycled through the sorbent cartridge multiple times;

priming a dialysate circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate; and

priming a blood circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate and reversing a blood pump at least one time to pump dialysate from the batch of dialysate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes reversing the blood pump after a drip chamber is filled with fluid.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein preparing the batch of dialysate includes mixing water and concentrate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein preparing the batch of dialysate includes using five liters of water to mix the dialysate.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes venting air through a vent.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes connecting the ends of arterial and venous lines of the blood circuit together.

7. The method of claim 1 , which includes closing and opening at least one valve or line clamp in the blood circuit to prime the blood circuit.

8. The method of claim 1 , which includes purifying the dialysate for priming the blood circuit.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes directing the dialysate at one time in a first direction towards an air trap located in the blood circuit and at another time in a second direction towards the dialyzer.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes directing the dialysate at one time in a treatment operation direction and at another time in a reverse of the treatment operation direction.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes back-filtering dialysate through the dialyzer.

12. A method for priming a hemodialysis treatment comprising:

providing a sorbent cartridge for cleaning spent dialysate fluid returning from a dialyzer;

preparing a batch of dialysate in a quantity commensurate with being recycled through the sorbent cartridge multiple times;

priming a dialysate circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch dialysate; and

priming a blood circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate while operating a valve that is in a fluid line connected to the blood circuit.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein priming the blood circuit additionally includes using a biologically safe fluid other than dialysate to prime the blood circuit, the valve enabling the biologically safe fluid to enter the blood circuit.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes opening and closing the valve to flow dialysate in different directions within the blood circuit.

15. The method of claim 12 , which includes using the valve to flow dialysate directly to the blood circuit, bypassing the dialyzer.

16. The method of claim 12 , which includes using the valve to flow dialysate into the blood circuit between the dialyzer and an arterial line access connector.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein priming the blood circuit includes back-filtering dialysate through the dialyzer.

18. A dialysis machine configured and arranged to perform the method of claim 12 .

19. A dialysis system comprising:

a batch container;

a sorbent cartridge;

first and second dialysate pumps;

a blood pump;

a dialyzer;

a dialysate circuit (i) in fluid communication with the batch container, the sorbent cartridge, and the dialyzer and (ii) in operable communication with the first and second dialysate pumps;

a blood circuit (i) in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) in operable communication with the blood pump; and

at least one processor configured to operate a priming sequence in which dialysate prepared in the batch container is flowed to prime both the dialysate and blood circuits, and wherein the blood circuit is primed by reversing the blood pump at least one time.

20. The dialysis system of claim 19 , which includes a valve, and wherein the at least one processor is configured and arranged to further operate the valve to enable dialysate to flow to the blood circuit, bypassing the dialyzer.

21. The dialysis system of claim 19 , which includes a valve used by the processor to operate the priming sequence, the valve controlling a fluid line that connects to the blood circuit upstream of the dialyzer.

22. The dialysis system of claim 19 , which includes a valve used by the processor to operate the priming sequence, the valve controlling a fluid line that connects to the blood circuit between the dialyzer and an arterial line access connector.

23. A dialysis system comprising:

a batch container;

a sorbent cartridge;

first and second dialysate pumps;

a blood pump;

a dialyzer;

a dialysate circuit (i) in fluid communication with the batch container, the sorbent cartridge, and the dialyzer and (ii) in operable communication with the first and second dialysate pumps;

a blood circuit (i) in fluid communication with the dialyzer, and (ii) in operable communication with the blood pump;

a fluid line connected to an arterial line of the blood circuit upstream of the dialyzer;

a valve in the fluid line; and

at least one processor configured to operate a sequence in which the valve is opened to enable dialysate to enter the blood circuit upstream of the dialyzer to prime the blood circuit.

24. A method for priming a hemodialysis treatment comprising:

providing a sorbent cartridge for cleaning spent dialysate fluid returning from a dialyzer;

preparing a batch of dialysate in a quantity commensurate with being recycled through the sorbent cartridge multiple times;

priming a dialysate circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate; and

priming a blood circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate and by connecting the ends of arterial and venous lines of the blood circuit together.