Development of a high-precision continuous extracorporeal hemodiafiltration system.

A high-precision hemofiltration system appropriate for use in neonatal, pediatric, or adult patients has been developed. The system incorporates computer-monitored and -regulated pumps for control of blood, dialysate, and drain solutions and weighing scales for measurement of fluid infused into and removed from the patient. The overall accuracy of the fluid infusion and withdrawal is +/- 3.5 grams. The system incorporates four pressure transducers to monitor pressures. It includes alarm limits for pressure, solution volumes versus time, temperature, air leak, and blood detection in the drain effluent. The computer stops all pumps in alarm conditions. The system also can be easily adapted for other extracorporeal procedures such as hemofiltration, ultrafiltration, plasmapheresis, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.