System, method, and apparatus for utilizing a pumping cassette

1. A fluid handling system for pumping fluid to and from a patient configured to perform a dry cartridge integrity test, the system comprising:

a reusable component comprising:

a processor;

a control chamber; and

a pressure transducer configured to measure a gas pressure associated with the control chamber; and

a disposable pumping cartridge comprising:

a flexible membrane;

a rigid portion comprising a pump chamber, the flexible membrane overlying the pump chamber;

an inlet and an outline line; and

a valve configured to isolate the pump chamber of the disposable pumping cartridge,

wherein the disposable pumping cartridge is configured to mate with the reusable component, wherein the control chamber of the reusable component mates with the pump chamber of the disposable pumping cartridge, and

wherein the processor is configured to:

supply the control chamber with a gas at a predetermined pressure;

open the valve such that the pump chamber of the disposable pumping cartridge is not isolated from the surroundings;

with the valve open, monitor the gas pressure associated with the control chamber using the pressure transducer over a predetermined period of time; and

determine if the change in gas pressure associated with the control chamber exceeds a maximum allowable predetermined limit.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein if the change in gas pressure associated with the control chamber exceeds the maximum allowable predetermined limit, the processor will indicate a fault condition.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the reusable component is configured to terminate operation of the pumping cartridge if the change in gas pressure associated within the control chamber exceeds the maximum allowable predetermined limit.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein if the change in gas pressure associated with the control chamber fails to exceed the maximum allowable predetermined limit, the processor will commence operation of the system.

5. The fluid handling system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to: supply the control chamber with a gas at a predetermined pressure before introducing liquid into the pumping cartridge.

6. A fluid handling apparatus for pumping fluid to and from a patient comprising:

a control chamber configured to mate with a pump chamber of a pumping cartridge;

a pressure transducer configured to measure a gas pressure associated with the control chamber; and

a processor, the processor configured to:

supply the control chamber with a gas at a predetermined pressure before liquid enters the pumping cartridge;

monitor the gas pressure associated with the control chamber with using the pressure transducer over a predetermined period of time; and

determine if a change in gas pressure associated with the control chamber exceeds a maximum allowable predetermined limit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein if the change in the gas pressure exceeds the maximum allowable predetermined limit, the processor will indicate a fault condition.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the processor will also terminate operation of the pumping cartridge.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to close at least one valve to the control chamber to isolate the control chamber.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to open at least one inlet valve of the pumping cartridge, the at least one inlet valve being in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the pumping cartridge is disposable.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to isolate the pump chamber of the pumping cartridge using at least one valve.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the fluid handling apparatus is reusable.

14. A method for using a reusable component of a fluid handling system for pumping fluid to and from a patient to test the integrity of a pumping cartridge having a pump chamber, the system comprising a reusable component comprising a control chamber configured to mate with the pump chamber of the pumping cartridge, the method comprising:

mating the pumping cartridge to the reusable component;

supplying the control chamber of the reusable component with a gas at a predetermined pressure before liquid enters the pumping cartridge;

monitoring the gas pressure associated with the control chamber using a pressure transducer configured to measure a gas pressure associated with the control chamber over a predetermined period of time; and

determining if a change in the gas pressure associated with the control chamber exceeds a maximum allowable predetermined limit.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising determining if the change in the gas pressure exceeds a maximum fault condition by determining if the change in gas pressure associated with the control chamber exceeds a maximum allowable predetermined limit.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising terminating operation of the pumping cartridge if it is determined that the gas pressure exceeds the maximum allowable predetermined limit.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising opening at least one valve, wherein the at least one valve in fluid communication with the pumping cartridge.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the pumping cartridge comprises a flexible membrane and a rigid portion forming the pump chamber, further comprising a step of opening the pump chamber to the surroundings.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein opening the pump chamber to the surroundings comprises opening at least one valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber.