Filter integrity test method for dialysis machines

摘要

A method is described for automatically testing the integrity of a dialyzer filter within a dialysis machine. The method consists of substantially removing fluids which may be present from the blood side of the dialyzer filter, pumping air into the blood side of the dialyzer filter with a blood pump to pressurize the dialyzer filter, and measuring the pressurization of the dialyzer filter. If the dialyzer filter pressurizes, the rate of decay of pressurization is measured. The pressurization and rate of decay are indicative of the integrity of the membrane of the dialyzer filter.