CA2681916A1 - Cassette system integrated apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Pumping cassettes (500, 600, 700) are disclosed. Each cassette includes a housing, at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet as well as at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump (602, 604) in fluid relation to the cassette. The balancing cassette includes at least on e balancing pod (706, 708) in fluid connection. The mixing cassette includes at least one mixing chamber in fluid connection. The system includes a mixi ng cassette (500), a balancing cassette (700), and an outer or middle casset te (600) fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middl e cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly con nected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least on e pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is locat ed in an area between the cassettes.

Description

CA~ SEi iE SYS'I'EM INTEGRATED A.I'.I}ARATU I S
+t.;:'llt.OSS-REII=`ERENCE~~Y. TO R:Ih:LA'TED A'IwIE'L1ti:;A'1 IONS

.l.lais application is aC~.~ntinÃ:tation in Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial Nu.
111,8034 i-iIecl t::)ctober l2r `?0t)7, entitled C_.assett~ Sy4t:~rn I:tttegratecl Appat-att.Ãs (Att:ortiev Docket No. :[~E:KA-023X.X) which is 1ierein incorporated by reference itl ity etatirety. wli.iel-i claims prio.riÃNr f:rom the following t_;trited States .I'rov.isiozial Patent AlaplicaÃiotis, "bofh c?.l`whicli are hereby incorporated (-icreiti by referetice in their entireties:
Lt.S. Provisional Patent Application No, 60.:'904,024 entitled fIlemodlalysis System and Methods tÃl~d ora FebataÃv 27, 2U0?, a:tid U.S. 1'rovisioÃia.l Patent Ap~.-~licatioii No. 60;'92 1,._>14 entitled.5ensOr .'~~parattts filed onApri121, 2007 boti3 of wbich are hereby incorporated by refie-rence:in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present inve;ÃltiM.1 relateS tO aCEÃsSCtiC sy>ACT.11.Ã1ite4ratc;ci apparatus for pÃtÃnpin4 flt7iÃ.l.
SUMMARY OF THE iNVENTlON
In acc:.ordaÃiec wit:l-a one aspect of the cassette integrated system, the cassette iÃitegrateÃ:l syster:f-i includes a r.1uxi.n;A cassette, a balaiicitig cassette, a. midcllc ca.ss4tte. flt.tidly conr~ected to the mÃxitig cassette aÃrd t.be balanciÃig cassette axid at least otie pod. 'l"l~~
~~ rni:si.ng cassette is fltÃicliv connected to the n-Ãiddl~.Y cassett~.Y by at l~.Yast one fluid line and the Ãificldle cassette .is fluidly coa~~iec-eci to the balancing ~;z~s ettc.bwJ
aÃ1easà oÃae.tltÃicl line. The at least one pod is connected tÃ.~ at least two of the c~~set:tQs w1iereiÃi tlie pt.icl is Iuc~ated in an area between the cassettes.
Various emboclitnenÃs of this aspect of the cassette iÃiclucle oiie or more of the 15 foltowiti.g. Where the ho Ãzsing irÃclt:Ãclcs atop plate, a. midplate and a bottoan p late. Where the pod Ãiie.ludes a otirved rigi1 chamber wall having at least o.Ãie lluid it-ilet and at least one fl.uicl orÃ.tlet. Where the Ãnixing c.assette: i-nidcile cassette aÃicl said balancing cassette tiirt.li~.tÃ-iticlÃicle at least oÃ.~e valve, in scytlie embod.iments, tl~e valve is a membrane valve. Where at least oÃie of the fluid lines connecting t:lie, cassett:es is a i-igid hollow cylindrical strtiettÃre.
:30 SnÃÃ:Ãe entl:3ndimeÃit:s itielaÃcle wl-iere at least o .Ãtc of the fluid lis~~~ coÃtraecizng the cassettes contain a check valve within the cyl:iiidrieal structure. Some embodÃtrients of the :systetn iftC(Ucle. where the r.Ã-tixi.n, c:F~ssette.fÃ~.rtl~ez~ i.Ã-t~:liÃ~.~:s at.
le~~:st. ~~iie r~xet:e~~it~~~. membrane l~Ã:ÃrI-zl~
wiÃltitt the mixim, cassette ltottsi.Ã~.,~. `['he ntixÃnL, cham1~er fluidlv eoÃiflieets to tltefluid oÃitlet Iine. Som~,~ embodiments of'the system include where the balani:-ing cassette ftlnl-ier incl rirles at least oÃ-~e meteriiIg 1~~imp within the housing and.tluidly coiniectecl to afluicl TfZ~.~ rneterinca purt~p pariZps a f.-~rvdet.~.`rrnine~.f r=oltini~.a of a #luid such tttr:tt. tt.te. flu:id bypasses the balancin~g ~:.lz~~Ãx~~~~:r`s and wherein the .~~~~:t.~.~~i.Ã~.~ pt#.rnp is a ~~~embrane puanp, In accordance with orie aspect oftlie cassette integrated system, the cassette Illti:=vI'ated 4vstE'.Ill .tnClud:s a iTl#.:Y1114p cas;sette, a iniddle cassette and a balaI`1clllg CasseEic.
The mixing cassette itic~ludes a inixing cassette housing ii1clutling at least one fltiid inlet 1iiic and at lvast one fltiid outlet Iin~,~~ The r.1tixing cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure disl3iac~~~-wrià ~~~~ernbr:~iie piÃmp flLiidlv coniiected to the hoa:asili`;. ':('he 1.0 Pressurc. Pump Pt~ilips at least osic fltiict froni t.~-ic I-1vid inlet:
li.x~ie to at least cjr.te of'the fluid outlet litie. `I Iie mixira~l cassette also i'icludes at ~~east one -~~i~.i.t~. ~ c,hat3abet.~(uidly cot~~ected to the, I~ousing. "I'l~~ inÃmiltg chaniber is fluidly connected to the fltiid otitiet line. The middle cassette includes a hoasiru4~ having at least otie fltiid port and a-t l~as:t orzc air ver:ii port, the air veiit port vents a fluid soEirce outside the middle cissette }intisiiig. The ~iiicldle 1.5 cassette also i~icl~~ides at least oa~~ ~~ec.iprocatilrg'), pressure displacement membrarzc pump fluidly connected to the ~~ousim-5. The pump pti-ti.ips a fluid. "i'he ba(ancitxo cassette itiel'Lides a housing incIucli~h_at least two inlet fltiid lines andat least two okAtlet fluid ti~ies. Also, at.
least one tial.~.~.ttc.iii~~
iw pod fluidly cotiziectecl to tlie, balancing cassette I~:a~Gfls.Ã-ti~r~
~.ti~.-1 in i~.tii~
connection with the fltiid paths. The balancing pod. balances the flow of tt first fltticl aiid the 20 flow of a secoiid fluid Gucli that the voluÃite of tlte fi.Ã-st flu.Ãd equals tlie volume of the second fluid. The ~~lancing pod i~iclEides a membr~tie wherein the mertibriÃi~ forms t,,vc~ balancing claan-ibers, The bzilaticiti-; c:assette also includes at least one reciprocatiti4 pressure displacement menil~raYie fatimp f1Ãaidly connected to the balancing cassette hcltrsit3g. The pressUre ptll-llp PifMPs a fltiid from the fluid i-tllet l.ii-te to the flau~
outlet line. The mi.xii-i%
"."? cassette is fliiidlv contiected to the m.idd:[e cassette by at least o.ne fluid li.ne, and t:}~~ inidÃl(e cassette is fluidly connected to the baIancirm, ~~otl by at least onÃ.Y
11ttiÃ1 lirte. The reciprocating pressure displacement mernhrane p r-mps. aiixirlg chaÃ-iiber and balancing pod are connected to the 1-iÃ.gtisitig: ,tich thiit thereciprocaÃ.ing pressttre tli,plae:~.at~~ent t~~~rnbran~.Y
f~~imps, rnixing c;l-iai3ibe;r and bal~ii.ici.r~~.:t pod are located in aretis between the cassettes.
30 VariuiÃ.s embodiments of this aspect of the cassette iilclutde oiie or mor~.~ of th~.~
foi fowin;w:. Where the cassette t~ousirigs include atof3 plii-te, ami.c1p1aÃe zuid a bottom plate.
Where the reciprocating faresstire displ~~~rrient pump itiCludes a curved rigid c1iamber wall a~id a flexible membrane attach~.~ci to the rigi(l L.harnbur wafl.. The flexible ane.mbr<zriet:tnd tlie ra~id chamber wall clefinea pumpi.ng. c11aiiiber. Alst), in some embodi.melits, the btklatle..ing pod iiie.lti(lis a ctirvefl rigid chamber wall anda flexible, m~~~i-ihrÃar-ie attached to the rigidcliamt3er wall, '1"he flex.i'bl~ Tr~embra.xte aÃid t:lle rigid chaÃiiber wall de:('ine two balancing chara-ibers. Wherc the mixir~g cht~rnber- includes a et,rvGd ri.4FiÃ1 c:.har~aber wall bavitig at least ~~~ie fltiid inlet ancl ai least one fluid outlet. Where the nuxing cassette, mid.tll~ cassette aiid the l.~alancin<_x cassette ftyrtlier iiic,i~~de at least one s a1ve. Some ernbodirnelztS O.fi'thC V2.11WHIcl.ude where the valve.is a.Ãiwnalararte valve. Sozne en-ihodi~~-lents inc.lttde where the membrane valve is a volcano valve.
SCgTIle eYllbG}CliMODts iriclu~.le where the at least ~~~e of the flGtid lines ci~i-inr:;c;tiTig the cassettes is a rigid hollow cylindrical struct~~re. So1aie eniboclinients include w1~ere at least 1.0 oÃic of t~ic fluid lilZ~.~s Conn~.~c:ting the cassettes contain a check valve within t:h~,~ cylindrical struettrre. Soni~ enibodimerats of the system include where the.m.ixang cassette f-Lirther includes at least one i~.~teteriji;,- membrane p~~~iila withiii the mixitig cassette housÃng. `I'lie mixin9 chamber fltiiclly connects to ti-ze fluid otitlet. li.rie. Some embadirrien.ts of t}~~ sytitern itictucl.e where the balancing ea::sseÃÃe, further iiicludes at least oiie iiieteri~ig puii:tp within tlle 1.5 hc?usin.-õ and fluidly connected to a fliiid line. The metering pÃimp puzlips a predeternii.n~d voluii::te of a filti.id stich that thc fltiid bypasses tlie balancing chambers auld wliet'eizi the metering pump is a mernbrane pump, In acc:.ordatiec wit;l-a one aspect of the cassette integrated system, the cassette iiitegrated system inc:l.ttci~~s a mixing cassette, a middle cassette aiicl a.
balancing cassette.
20 The ini:Y.i~~o eassette itiel~ides a mixing cassette housing ins:.ludÃn;w at least oiie fluid inlet liiie and at least one fltticl otitlet Iirie. Also, at least oiie reCipÃ-ocatirig pressure displacement t~~en-i1~~~,ane pump fluidly con.nected to the housing. The pres-:stire pump punips at least oale flLtitl trom the fltaitl inlet Ii~ie tt.~ at least oiie of'Ãhe ~~.tzicl outlet li~ie. The mixing cassette also il-aCliicies at least ~~~ie. r.nixili<; cl.aan-iberflUidly coliliectecl to the housing. The r.11ia;,.ing chamber is -fluiclly contiected to the fluid orÃtlet lizie. A plurality of meii113rane valves ~~~~ a plurality of fluid lines aro also iaielti(letl. Tlie. control the 1l.cjwol' tluitl in the fl.t:[ifl.
lines. The mixirig cassette a_(srs ir-iclLides at least c:~~~e meteritiq r.~~enibran:e ptÃzi-il) withi.ii the niixidZ~~ ~:~.s~c~tt~. housing. The mixing chamber is fl~Ã.~i.~11~~ connected to the -tl.t:~itl outlet l.i:~~:~.
The ri-iiclclle cassette inc;lttde5 a rnidtlle ciisseÃ.Ãehous.ing having at least one fltaid 1}or-t 30 andat least one air veiit port. The ~iir vent poit vents a tltaiÃ.l soLiree outside the liousing.
Also includes are a. p1uà ality of flttid lines the middle cassette l-BoLisizi-and a phiralitV
oÃ-membraÃte valves. The valves control the flow of ~~iiid in flie t~ui& At least otie reciprocating pi-e;sEiro flisp.lacornent inembrarle pti:irip fluidly connuc;t:~.Ytl to the ltot,sing is also Ãiielu(teel. The p~imp ptimps a t7ui&
,,i The bttlaiie.ing cassette in.cttudes a bitlailc:itig cassette housing iticlÃiÃ1iiig Rat least oiiÃa inlet llriid l.iz~~ ~~~id at least orie ouEtlet fluid line. A plurality of menibrarie valves azid a plLrralit}' of fluid patbs ar~. also ii-icluiciod.. The val-,,es Ã:orit.r-c.31 the {-low of ilttiÃi in tl;ie fItiiÃ1 paths. At ls;aSt t~De. balancing pod t`luidlt connected to the bttlanciaig cassette hc7usin~~ aaici iri flttiti connection with the fluid paths is also iiiclt.iÃ1Ã:Ãl.
Tlxebalaricir~~ poclbalances the Ylow oE'a first f7ttid and the flow of a sÃ:.coud fluitl sus;li tliat tlic voluÃtiÃ: of the first..t-luiÃi Ã;Ãltia_l4 the ti-Ã.~Itttm of the secoYicl flttid. The balaÃic:Ãiirp pod ia1Ã:1uÃ1es a memlsrane which fornis trvu balancing Ã:ham1.3ers, Tl,~e balancing cassette aIsca iDi.lLzÃ1es at lc.ast oiie,~ recil?roc;.atmg pressure displac:,eznent membrane ptti-iip litÃidly connecteÃ1 to the ba1aaiciiiM cassette housing.
1.0 The pr~.~s5ttre purtip faun-~~s a luiÃ1 froni the .f-l.riiÃ( inlet: li.~-ie to thu f'It:titl ou.t.let. IinÃ.~. Also, Ã:tt least wie meieÃ'in;1ptimp Wit.lliti said ltorzsitt~anÃ.l fluidly connected to aflLiid l:itte, whe.te.ilt saicl. meteriÃig pi.tmp is included, "f lie, moteri~~~.~ ptttiif~ pumps a preÃlet~~~inineÃ1 volume of a.
fl .id staÃ:li that the fluid bypasses the balay-icitrg c1~amber;. `ly(xe metez-.ii.ig luntl) is a membrane primp.
1.5 The mix.in.-õ c:assetteis fluiÃllv c:oz~~ieÃ::ted to the m.iddfe cassette by at least orze R'Llicl line. Also, the iniddle cassette is fluidly coni3ected to t:l baiancin8l pod by at least one flui:d 1111e. ThC.' I`t`.Ctp$'Z3C~~:Jt117:~~ Prt`SSt1Y'e d151:1laci'=tllfr.'.i-i$
111f.'.riibr"cl:t1~-~. 13t3I1ips, ri711xlllg c1`?i.EFI11Jer i1lid balancing podare connected to tEic housi.ngs such that tlie-y are located inareas betweensa.id cassettes.
20 Various etnbocliments, of this aspect of tlte cassette incluc~e w1~ere at least otte of the fluid l:ines coÃiÃtectittt;- the cassettes is a rigid hollow cylÃiiÃirÃcil structure.
In accordance wif(i one aspect o.f't(ic puit.iplng cassette, tl~e cassette is a s:;assette i~iclÃ7Ãl:ing a hottsirtig havi~ig at least twc.~ inlet fluid li~ies and at least twc.~ ottt.let fltiiÃ1 lines.
At least c}rie baia]`ICUIC~ pod within the housin~ and in I-IÃiFÃ1 connection W%- it:h the fluid patl-is.
"."? The balancingf pod bala.t-ices the flow of a first 1'lui.d atid the :[1ow of a seco.nÃ1 flÃÃiÃi sÃÃc-h that the vÃxlurne (if the first tlaicl eqLtal; the vol.urne othu secc3~.~Ã1 11.ta.itl. The balancing pod also iticlueles a mernbraÃ~~e that f-c?ri-iis two balancing chambers. Also ir1Ã;ltiÃled in the cassette is at ~least tN,~,o reciprocating pressuro Ãlisp.laÃomerit membrane pti-mps. The pur.aps are ~.~~ithizl t:lle hotg.sing and tl~cy pEt.nip tl-ic fluid trc~~~ia flti_itl inlet t.k) a fluid outlet line aaid pu-ilp the secc?iid.
30 fluid from a tlttid iYilet to a fIEÃ.iÃ1 outlet.
Varioti4 embodimeiits of this aspect of'f.l~e cassette.inclucle one or t-ri.Ã~~~e ol't;l-zc toliowiÃig. Where the reciprocating pressure displacement pumps incltides a curved rigirl cIiaiUber wall..ttttl aflexil:sle tricmbrane attached to the rigid chamber wal.l. TI-io flexible membraz-ie and t:lie rigid ct~aniber wall cl.e#itie a ~~impii-iM cha.Ãi.)ber.
Also, where the cassette housing incltrt.les a top p1ate,X midplate wY~.l a bottom plate, AIso, where the cassette 1'tÃrtht;r inciucles xi. nieterin~ f~t.tÃ~zil~a i~itl~ir7 the l~c~u:~iÃ~.;.~. ':('1i~~
r~ieterir~a~.~ l~ttr~xl~.Ãs t~.t.ticlly cc~ziaiecte~l to a fluid lidZt.~ aiitl pumps a volt.tmc ot'r flttitl. :Also., where the l.~re5sta.rt.Y ptÃ:ÃrÃp and the Ã>nett'.ri.ng pt.rÃaip are pt.tnil:Ãs. Also, where the n-.ietc;r.ing prtn:tp pt.triilas a voltrfne (if aflt:tid sLtt.h that the l-Iuid bypasses tlio 1.~alaniiÃ1g chambers and the metering t.~ttnip is a nit:.Ãnbrane p~rtrxÃp. Also, w1Ãere the cassette Inc:ltttles at least oaic; -fltaiki. valve. Also, where the cassette inc.ltades at least two flt.tici valves acttÃated by one ~.~~leumittic valve.
In ac;.t<.ordanc.t' wi.th, arlotfter aspect of Ã1i~,~ t:.assette,~ is a c-asse#.te,~ iiiclttcl.irtg a 1ÃotrsiY~ig tlizit itrcla:tdes at least one izilet fltÃid line aaid at least ozie oa.ttiet fluielline. The cassette also 1.0 includes .tt least caÃio balant;irtg ~.~sorl within the housing and ir.i 11ta.itl conaÃGct:ion with the flttid patEis. `I"Iic tial.4~a~.t::Ãr~g pod balatit:e5 the flow of a first flt.tit.l wid the flow of a sec:ozid fi'ltiid such that the voltrtne of tlie, first fluid equals the volume of t}ic secoÃid fluÃd.. 'I'he bakineing pod .iÃ.teludes a Ã.net-nbà ane wfrereirt the rÃtembrane -t nrzi-i5 two cl-aambers wi.tb.in tl-ac balat-tcirlw pod. Also included in the cassette is at least cvne reciprocating pressure displacement 1.5 membrane pump witi(ii.ti. the hot.tsing- '1`I:te pressure pump laÃrmps zi fluid .ftoÃii tE-ae I-Itaici M:let line to ttie tlttÃd outlet lÃrie. A meterirtg pump is also in.cluded w.ithi.i-1 tl.Ãe(~ou5.itÃ~,a;. 'I'he metering pump is f'Itridlv cexi-inectecl toLt fltÃ:itl liiie, The metering ptÃmp pumps a pt-eclet.emiiz~~d vo:ltartte of a fluid st.it::.lt tlaat the flitid bypasses ttie balandag c,lÃambers, ati~.-1 w1=Ãert,'in the triereri.ng pttnip is a membrane ptÃ:tn1?-20 Various embocliments of this aspect of ttie cassette incluc~e otte o.t more of tlÃe following. Wb.eretb.ereciprocatingpressurec.-l:isplacemerit ptuiii~as iaiclttdesac.ut-\..ed rigid chamber wall aÃ-tcl a flexible mer.a:tkyrane zit-ttit`.}~ed tc) the ri id chatnbez- wall. The flexible membrani:. ant.l the rigid. cliamber wall dofine a pt.tinping chan-ib4r. Also, where the cassette hora.sia;~: .it.tcl.trcle5 a top plate, a midplfrte and a bottom plate. Also, where the cassette further "."? includes a at least one fl{rid vaIve. azÃrl.'or wbere the fluid val-ve Ãs actuated by, one pt-ietÃmatic v;tl~,e. Also, where the cassette incIttcles at lÃ.Yast two fluid valves <`rcÃ-tÃrtteÃ1 by oaÃG l2rtet.tmatic valve.

In accordance with another aspect oi't:l-ie:: P11Ã~1pir.~g cassette, the put~iptrtg c;:t~set.t~.a iÃIClirdt:.s a I-ao-LtsitÃg that includes zit least tw'o inlet fl-Lticl lines and at least two otrt1et.flttid 30 Iiries, Also, at least two balartciYig pods withi_ti the hotisitig atiÃ.l in tlr,ticl cuiiii~.~ctit_~n witl3 the fluid lines. I'}.te balancing pods Ejalaaice the flow o-t ptare ciiaivsÃa~e arBcl iznptxre clizilysaÃe such that ttie volume of pÃ.tre flÃ.alysate equals the volume of imtyrare dÃalvsate. At least two reciprocating pi-e;sEÃro flisp.lacornerÃ[ membr-<rrte pti:~~ips are also included in t:ht,~ hotÃsing. T.tic.
laresst:tre puÃxips pitr-i-t:ii the pitre dialysate aÃid said il;ipt:tre dialysate. A I. meÃeri1-1~ pttmp i;

also inee.ittded wltltin the botising. Tl-ic UF tneterin;~ pump ptÃ~~ips a preclet:t;rinineci vÃ?ItiÃ-ite of impure elialvsate trom the at least one flu.Ãd line stÃc11 tliait the laTec.~eterm:iilecl vo1un?e bypasses sa:i(l balancing clawnt?er.
Variot~s et?.Ãbc?4lit?.Ãents ot'tl3is fispect of the c~~~~ette.iriz:l.t:tcle <?.Ã?:t:, or more of the fn1iowing. W1iÃ.re the reciprocating pressur~, displaceti?ent pÃtnrps iÃrcltÃ.de~ a ctarved rigid rliaÃ-i?bt::r wall :tt?d allexibl.e meÃnbrane attached to the figid.
cttartilaer wa(l. 'Me flexible membrane and the rigid e.hanit?er wall dc:fÃt?c a ptÃ:mpit?g c11aml.~er.
Alsc?, w&?ere the cassette 1?otisirig includes zt top plate, a n?idplate and a, bt?ttom plate, Also, a plurality of pneumatically actuated t'ltzid valves.
1.0 In accordance with oric aspect o#`tltc purnp cassette the cassette ia?cludes housing.
The housing it?4:lttti.es at least ozie tluicl inlet lÃ~~e, andat leaSt one t"luid outlet line. Also, the cassette incla.tr~~s at least one reciprocating pressuÃ-~. displacement membrane pump withiii the (-to-tÃsitrg. 'I'he pressure 1?-ttr.a:tp pumps at least n?.le t'(tiid f-rot?-i the fluid inlet lii?e to zit ~east one of the t'lttirl outlet Iine. Also, t:lie, cassette inclttdes at least oiie ÃiiÃxing claanit?er witlzin 1.5 tl-te lac3usi.Ã-tg. The mix).t?.-; cl~amt?er is fluidly cor.?nec:t.ed to the fltiid outlet l.i.Ã?:e.
Various ~inboclimenÃs of this aspect of tl?e cassette include oiae or more of t}.?e following. Where t1?oreciprot::~ttitl.gprzSstÃrt~ dis_plat;ement pti:mt?
i.ncludt;s;.a ctir~~~drigi(l c1~~inber wall aÃid a flexible membrane a.t-tac,hed te) the .Ã-Ãr.Ãd c:IxaÃt.?l?er wall. The flexible n~embrasrt~ atrt:l the rigiel chamber wa(l cl.t'tine t~ pun-tping cl?ai?-?6er.
W'1-tere the cztsse.tte 20 housing .it.?cl.t.tdes atop plate, a ziiariplate and a bottom plate.
Whe.tethecaSsette also includes at least one valve, :ln some embodiments, the at least oiie s>alve includes a valve housing lzavi.np, a Ãt?embrz3ne. The membrane divides the l?t?tis-i~-ig into two chambers. Where the nrixing chamber inclt:tdes a ctart~feti rigid chati3ber wall having at least one flttid inlet at?d fit least ot?e fltiid outl.a Where the cassette iil.1o includes t least one metering Ã-r?ea?:?I'_?t-ar:?e lattii?~l? ~.~-~tl-ti.Ã-t. the l~.c~Ã.ts.in~~:. "~t~e metering ~~?tÃnlla~ flÃ:-icll~~ e~~ai~ne~.ts t~? the tr~ix:iÃrZ; chamber otr the lit:xttsing and t.o arneterit?g ptt-ii?p fluid .li.ne:.. T}?~ i-netering pump fl-Ltid Iir.te is :l-Ittit(iy e,ot?z-tec,ted t.o tl-teaà least c?t?e of the at least c-?nefltÃid i.Ãi:let Iines. Some et-t?l?ocl.itnent5 of the iiictering pt.tttrp inclt.tcle w1-ier-e. the fluicl line is con:Ã~ectt:d to at second -tlt.titl inlet l.ia?G.
Irt accordance with aÃiotlie.Ã- aspect of the pump cassette the ca~sette .incl.tÃtles a 30 hc?tasing iticlurling at least two t~'lt.Ãicl inlet lin~s aÃid at least onc fltÃid outlet line. Also included is at least c?.Ã?e reciF?.Ã-ocatixtg presstire ptiÃ-a?p within the hortSing. The pressttre punip punilas a filtiid from at least ot?e of the tltticl inlet line to at lease c?nc of Ãltc fluid tiÃttlot line. 'T.lic cassette also ii?elttelcs at lÃ.Yast one mixing t:hanit?Gr withir.t tl-te l?oÃ.Ãsittg, the tr?ixitrg cbamt-ler tlÃiirllv connected to ihe f'Ãu.id outlet (.ine. Also i.ncltided is at least one m~,~teÃ`ing meÃaibraÃ-ie pEr.Ã-np witl-ÃiÃi the hcarÃsitig. The metering meÃ-Ã-ibrane ptÃi-nla fluidly conrrccts to the Ãnixirrg ebambcr- on the lior:Ãsirir and to a metering pump iliaid line.
TiZ~.~ ÃncteÃ-ing purnpf-luicl line isfltÃirily c,onncc,tet~.l to thÃ.Y trt it:ast: orÃe of the at least two fluYd iril,;::t liÃ1c4.
Variotts eÃiibotliÃ~ierrts ot'ÃhÃs aspect of the cassette it7clrade c.~Ãic: or niore ol:'tl-ic -l'oliow.irÃg. W1Ãere the .Ã-ecipYocat.ir.Ãg pressure displacement 13un-Ãp iaielutles a curved r1 iÃ1 chanibc.r wall arid a flexible membrane attached to the rigid chan-Ãber wal1.
The flexible membrane and the rigid c:.liarnber- wall tielrnsõY aPrÃTYIPar~g Ctiari3bc.r.
W1Ãe,~ri.~ the cassette housing includes a top plate, a midplate -ar~~ ~bottor~i plate. Whcre the mix.Mg chamber 1.0 includes .t curved r`igicl charnbcr wa1.1 having at least oÃ-ie 41-uiÃ.i isÃlet: and at lertst one fltÃ.id orÃdet, W.1lere the cassette furtlrur includes at least one valve. In sonie enibodiments. Ã1Ãe valve :irteltÃcles a valve liousing, havirig a membrine dividing tl]o housing ixito two cliamlaers.
In rrc.c.orcla.Ãice with another aspect of tlie pÃ.Ãr.Ã-rla c:iassette iric.lr.Ãdes a bousing. The housing inc.ludes at least tliree t'luiel. inlet lines and at least oÃie tltÃid or.Ãtlct line. 'l`he cassette 1.5 also iriel-rÃdes rrt least two reciprocating pressure displacement mer.nbrane pÃrÃ-rips \.tdtl-zi.n il.{ e ltousi.iits that pliÃiip aflu.id frcarnat least one of the fluid Ãzilet lines to at lease or~e ot`t}.Ãe tlt:Ãid outlet li-re. Also, the cassette inz:luti~~sat least cÃÃ1e mixing chamber within the tiotÃsis-Ãg tl-iat is flÃ..Ãidiv connected to the iltÃid outlet liÃ-re, '1'he cassette also includes at least two meteÃ=ino mcmbrarÃc 1?urups within tb~,~ housing. The m~,'teriirg pumps are fluidly connected. to 20 respective flÃ.Ãid ittlet l.ines aÃad to the mixiÃ~g chamber c.ti tlhe housing. `l?lie metez'.irÃg purrips pump a vt?lurne of a respec.tive, tluitl from the tluid irilet lines to a fluid liÃic fluidly con:trecrecl to the mixi.Ãv charnbeÃ-.
Variotts eÃiibotliÃ~ierrts ot'ÃhÃs aspect of the cassette it7clrade c.~Ãic: or niore ol:'tlle Ebliow.iÃ.Ãg. Where t}Ãc reciptoctrÃirÃg pressure displacement pLÃmp iaiclLÃdcs a curved ti.aicl "."? cl-iariilier wall ariri aflcxik31e merrrbrane attac1~ed to the ri{.~id cl~art-aber wall. "l"lre flexible Ãnernbrane and the rià ift char ber wal.l define a puÃnpi~~g _, chamber. WffÃur~.a the cassette housing Y.Ã-rcIuries a top plate, a miriplate ar~da bottom plate. W'l-ic-re t:l-ic cassette i-acludc5 at lcast crrÃeva1ve. SoÃ-i~e orÃÃbt3dirncrÃ[5 iÃiclr3d~.a wli~.at-c the valve includes a valve housing 1Ãavim, a nienib.Ã-arl~.v the Ãnerr.Ãbrar.Ãe divid.ir.i~; the l.Ãc~~Ãsi.Ã~a~F
into two Ã:hambers.
30 In accordance wiÃli onc aspect of t1io p4ÃnlpiÃig c-assettc, the c..assc.tt~.~ incltrÃ.1es a housing. `1`I-ae housing irrcl-ude5 at least oaie Iluid port and at least f?.ae air vent poÃ-t, 'rhc air-vent port verits afluid source oEÃtsiel.e tlic horrsing. Tl~e pumping cissette also includes at least one i-eciprocrrt.irZg pressure tli,i.-~lacen-iont mc.YÃnbÃ~anu pur.ap within the hot.Ãsing. T1Z~.a puritp pr.iml3s fluid.

variotis enrbociii-n.erits of this aspect of the purnpin#= ciassette ine1titie c~i-ie or more of fl-re i=ollowing. w1.3ere t:lle reciproeating pressure displacement pump hr.cludes ~i curved r:igid chamber wzrll ai-iÃ~ a flexible ir:rernbrariÃ: attached to the rigit{
Ã:.hamber waI.I. The flexible riwnibr-ariÃ: arid tl-ie r.igiÃl: Ã:.lrzimbÃ:r wall dÃ:fine a pumpi.ng ctiarnlaer. k~.~bere the Pull.1pirrg c,asseÃti:.hotisi~ig inclttcie.s aÃof.~ plate, a midplate arrd a bottom plate.
Wlrc-re tlropÃrxril3ing ra4sette further irrClLiÃies at least oi3e: valve. Atrd. i.n some embocli.m.c;nts, the valves is C:1 nis:Ãribrane valve. Also, where the ptaiiif. ~itig cassette inÃ:ludesat least Ã.~iic: valve inclr.tditig a va1vÃ:1rGxusing having a m.err.~branÃ,~, wi'rÃ.re t~ie rrlÃ:riibrana: divides the valv'e housing iztto two e,hanrbers. Where the two c1razYrbers are -an actr:Ãatimi charrxberarrd a fluid pÃarripfir.g 1.0 c1iai-tZber. WhÃ:r~. the actuation Ã:hanr.ber frrts <rt lc.Yast or.re aperÃ-L,re witl said fluid pri:mpizig eliamber having at least orreapert.ire. 'Wbere ttre actuation c:,ktairiber .i-tielrrdes two apertures.
Also, in some embodirrietiÃs, wliere tlie valve is a volcano valve. l:ar soiire embodiments of the vrr(ve.r the flaid pLirrrping Ã;hamber i.nÃ::ludes a substantially smooth sÃrrl-iree. I.ii. sorrr.e embc?dirnegtts of ttie valve, the valve is a check vai.ve.
1.5 lr-i zrecorclarrce- with anc}ther aspect of the pti.rrrpitiw Ã:assett.e, the punrpirrg cassette iÃicludes a. housing lravirrg at least orresÃrurce fluid irr:let i''ltiFd path, at least ot-le source reservoir vent f'luiÃ~ paÃhanda.t least one source f'luid Ãxr.ttle-t path. T1-te pamping Ã:a.,sGtitc.t also irrel-Licles at least oue reeiprocatÃz~g pressure displacement membrane pump within tkre housing. The ptr~~p ptimps scxttrc:e fluid from ascTurÃ:e tank otitsicte tl:a~.~ housing Rai-id tbrotrgh 20 said source fluid iÃilet fluid pat;li. Also, the pumpi.ag cassette irrelti~.-f~s at least one valve.
The valve includes a valve horisin~ having a merakyrane dividirrg the va1N=e housing izltca tA.vo chan-ibersz a fluid c}rar.riber and at-i actuation cl~zimber-.
Various eiarbodiirierrts ot'Ãhis aspect of the pÃtmpiirg cassette inclr.t(ie olre or more of tl-ae follc}wicrg. W}.iere the ~~edproÃ:ating pressure disp1.aceti-wat puar:tp includes a curved rigid "."? cl-rairilier wa_[l and aflexik31e merrrbrane attached to the ri{.~iÃ1 charraber wall. 'l"he flexible rnÃ:rribranÃ, and the rigiÃt chamber wal.l dÃ:finc.Y a purnpirrps" chamber.
WlierÃ.a the pttrriping cassette hous.irrg i.ncIuÃles a top plate; a. midp(ate arrd a bÃ?t-torr-i pltrte. Where the piitrrp.irrky cassette includes a valv~.~ controlling a measurement syst:errr 11t:tidly connected to thÃ.a scrt,rt:.Ã:
tank vÃ:.rit fltric-1 path. in. some embodi.niÃ:.nt.s, this mÃ:t1sLir-Ã:r.3rent syster:n, naea.tiurÃ:s t:Ele volufrre 30 oi'~a source taiik. Sunic embodiments includes where the at least ot tÃ;
sotirÃ;e: resÃ'rvoÃr vent pressure. Also, some emboÃlimejrts of'Ãlre purnpa.ng cassette iaiclLrde where t:}r.e at least otre reciprocating pre;sEire Ãlisp.laà .ernen[ mernbr<rriÃ: pti:irrp puanps.flt,iÃl fron-I thÃ.a strur4.Ã: tatrk throtrgh tl-re buirsitrg <r:rrd thrc?Ãrgh a ti [ter outside the housing ~

These aspects of the invention aTe zif?t meant to be exclusive and otlier teature5, aspects, anrl atlvantagcs of the present invention will be. readily apparent to those of orc.liiiarz~ skill in tlxc aYrt when read in. cc~iji-ouctitxn with the appesxde(1 e:luniti azid.
accompanying drtxwings-BRtEF:DES+C'Rii''I"I+1v3N'Ã3:F'CHE:Di2,kW1NC4 These aaxd other features and advantages of th~,~ pr~~enà inventiolx will be better 1.0 iir-idersÃc}c}cl by r~eaclilig the t:ol:lnwing detai:[ed description, taken together with the th-awizt"FS
wlxereirx:
FIU. lA is a sectional view of one ~.atxibodir.Yient of a pcxrl-pump that is .ir.~corpo.rated iixto embodiments of Cassette;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of ari ox~.atriplary ~.ambodir3~~erit: of a pod ptimp t1l<zt is l5 inzorl3orated irit~ embc?dimerits of the cassette;

FI:Cf_ ? A isan il.ltisÃrativc sectional view o1~~onu Ã.Yrnboditxaent o-t'oaxe. type of pneumatically cc?iitrc?:lled valve that is ittcorportited itxto some eii-abotifltilezxts of the ciissette;
FIG. 2B is a sectioiial view oftxnt.~tlxer e31x1~odiixxeixt of oixe type of pneumatically controlled valve ti-iat is i~ico.rportited ixxt~~ soi-~~~ ernborliÃ-~ier.it.s o1'the caSsetto;
'0 FIG. ?(' iS a sectional view of another embodÃ~xtetit of oixe type of ~~xie~~xlxaticall~~
coa7trc3(lecl vziIve that is incorporated :ir-ito some embodiments of the c:xssetÃ:e, FI& 2D is, a sectional view of another emlaodimeÃxt of oixe type of pneumatically controlled valvo that is incorporated into soin~.a Ã.Yinbodii-nints o1`t.he cassutto;
1~IGS. 2E-2F are top wid bottom views of ettibc.dittients of the valVzllg tx~embralle:.
25 FICi. 2G shows pictorial, top and cross sectional views of'ca~ie embodiment ut't1~e val virt `M meinbrane, FIG S. 3 is a sectional view of a pod putixlx witlian a cassette;
1"IC1 4 is a sectional view of sz pod puÃrip within a cassette having a variable }0 RE:fS. 4A and 4B zrre topand section s~~ews respectively o.t"tt pod ptxaup within a cassette having a ditxxpl~d./vwx.riable, txienabrane;
FIGS, =1+'. and 4D are pictorial views of a sii1gle ri!.-~g membraii4 with a varisxbl~.~
suz`~ace:
FlCES. SA-~D aro sitle vi~.'ws of t=ai-ious i.ai3:iboditnents o-t'variab1~
rnernbra nes;

E-~H are pictorial views of vario~~s erl-ibcadiment.s of the ~~.~i'teriii;s ~~imp r~~~rnbr~ne;
FIGS. 6A ai7d 613 are pictoria:( views of:~ a djubie ring mei-iibr~~~e witii a s.Ãilootll st.tr~ace, RE:fS. 6C:; and 6D are pictorial views of a double ri.t~g membrane with a cli.Ãn1.~le 5 sr7rface;
1"ICi-S_ 6E aiic1 61?' are pi.aorial views of ciotiblet-in4~ inernkanes with variable sl:irfi:1ces;
1:`'IG. 66 is zi cross sectional view of zi doul_ale riiig i~~~~~~braiie,~
with a vRzrÃab1e surIitc.e>
F I:Cs. 7 is a scbeiiiatic showing apressru ~ actuation system that ~~iav be used to 1.0 aci-wite a pod ~~iriip>
FIG. 8 is one ei~ibodiaiiei7t of the t:luid flow-pat~~ schematic of't?ie c::assette;
FIG. 9 is aii altemaÃe embodiment fluid flow-path schemitÃc for an aIteraiate embodiment of the cassette;
1=1G S. 10 is an isonietrie ftorit view of the exemplai-v ciia.bod:irla.ent of the actuation 1.5 side of the midl>:(ate of the cassette with the valves indicated corresponding to 1-'IGS. 8:
FIGS. 1 l.A a.re froiit at-id isoÃiietric views o.f`the exernplaa-y embodiment of the Otrter top plate of the cassette;
1^ I:G S. 11 B are froiit aÃid isometric views of the exer~~~tary ei3ibod:imeiit of z(le inlier top plate ol='t(ic c:assette>
20 FIG. I lC' is a side view of ttie exenipla.Ã-y embodiment of tlle top plate o1`tE-~e cassettte:
i~;=ICf`~. t:':"~. are ~_rc~rit ar~~l isometric t:ie~~~~ ~~-1`t:he e;~:~~~1plaiy embodiment of ilietlci.icl side of the midplat:e ~.~f ttio c.assc..tte:
1-'IGS_ 12B .ire front waci isometric view.1 of't13e ea.einp(ary einbotlirnent of t~}.~e air si~le of the Ãxiidp_[ate of tl-ic cassette;

1=='I.Cf_ 12C is a side view of th~.~ exemplary orril=,odirnerlt of the initlphat.G o1='the e,assett.e..

FIGS. 1J.~ aro front and ist~i-tie[ri.c views o.1't.hÃ.Y exernplary ernbcjÃiirtienÃ; o1='the inner s.i(le of the bottoni plate of the cassette;
30 FIGS. 1:>13 are frortt and isometrit~ views of the exemplary em~.-~otlinlent of th~.' oÃiter side oi*the bc?ttnt~~i plate o1:'the cas5et:te;
FI& 13C; is a side view of the ex.emplai_y~ embodimeiit of the ÃiiÃdl~~ate ol'`the cas3ette:
HU 14xL is a Ã:c~~) view of the assetribled exemplary embodinxent of the cassette;

FIG. 141=3 is a bot#cxÃii, view of t1ic assembled ~,'xenvlarv en-ibo+:lin-ier-it of tl~c cassette;
FIG. 14C' is aÃ7 exploded view of theasser:tib(ed exemplary embodiment of tlic cassctte;
FIG . 14D is an exploded view of the assc.Ãxiblcd c.x.c:iriplary enibodianerÃt of the cctsSiÃte:
I"ICi-S. lSA-1 5C sliow cross sectional views of the excrnplary ernlaodiriic.nt of the asserT3b1i:.d ca.s5etle.
1:`'IGS. 16A sliow isoÃilet.ric:. aÃic.t top views ca1 a.Ãi alternate embc?di~~lent of the top plat.e according to an alterÃiatc embodiment of the c,assette;
1.0 FIG.`a. 1611 show 1.~ott<3rn views o.{"an alternate cr.yÃbocl:imc:rÃt: of the tfap plate according to aÃt altcruate embodiment of the cassettc:,;
FIG. 16C shows a side vÃe'%v of the alterriate eml~odimeiit ot-thc top plate;
FIGS. 17A. s1-~ow isc~inetric: atid top views ol'aÃx altcrnate ezr-ibodiment of t1ze miclplate according to an alternate embodiment of the cassette;
1.5 1= lGS 1713 show isometric ar:Ãd bottom views of an. aI.temate emlaociili-aeÃ-zt of tl-Ãc micllilat.e according to aÃi alternate embodiÃ~~en- t of the cassette;
FICi. 17C shows a side view o1`the alte-mate embodiment of the midplate;
1^ I:GS. 1SA. sliow isonietric aÃ-td top views of aÃi alternate cmbod.imerlt of the bottom plate according to an alternat~,~ embodiment of the casset.te;
20 I~IGS. 1813 show i>oÃ-t3ctric a'id bottom views of aÃi alternate embodiment of z(le bottomaccording to an alternate ez3ibodiment of the cassette;
FI:Cf. 18C" slÃnws <i side view of'thc al.terilate ezr-ibnelimeÃit of the bottoln plate;
FIG. 19A is a top view of an a.ssc..niblcdaltemat~e er~~bodinic:git of the cassette;
11G. 1913 is ati exploded view of tl-Ãc assembled a(ternat:c embodiment ut`tlÃe "."? cassette:

F1.Cf_ 19C is an exploded view ol'the asser>>ÃblÃ.Yd al.tuni.ate cmboclimetzt of the e,assett.e..

FIGS. 2GA-20B staow, a cross sectional view of'the ux:uanplary 4ntbodiment ot'tlÃe assc:niblecl cassette.
30 .1~'IG. 38A is oiic eÃn1.~odiÃwnt Ã~~f-tl'Ãe fluid flow-path schematic of the casaett~.~;
FI:E:,., 38B.is an aherr-Ãat.e embodiment the 1'lÃiid flow-path schematic of the cassette;
1~IGS. 39A and 39B are isometric and front views ot-t:lie exemplary emboclimcrit of tlie otttt.r top lal.ate of'tlÃc oxetiilalary ombodizrÃent oi't:l-is. cassette;

FIGS. 39C aiid 39D ar~,~ isÃ1nietriÃ: anki. froiit views of t1i.o exemplary er-iibocli~~ieiit ofÃhe inner top plate of tlie c:.aysette, l;"lG: 39E is a side view of th~.~ top plate of the t:xt:niplXiry embodiment of ÃItÃ.a Ãasset:iÃ.';
FIGS. 310A and 31{~B are i5c~~~ietric and ftonà views cafthe; exc.Ãl.1plary 01~1bocli-nÃ:nt of the liqttiel sido Ã.~f the midplate of the e~.~ssette;
FIGS. 3 1OC". aiicl 310D are i5oniÃ:tric a.nÃ1 fi-ont v.iews of the Ã:xeu-iplary embotliriient of the air side ot'Ãhe iiiitlpIate. of the casseÃtc.;
FIG. 31 OE is Ãi side view o1'the rtiiclplatr: according to the exemplary embc)Ãtimeilt of the cassette:.
1.0 FIGS, ;i I lA, and _; l 1B are isornetric and ii'ont views oi't3iÃ: irtner siÃie of t1;ic bottom plate accord.iu{w tt) the exeiYiplaÃ-v embodiment of the cassette;
FIGS. 31 I t:' and 31 ID are isortietr-i~ ~iid frÃ~iit views of the exemplary einbodi~~~ent of the oute.r side of the bottom plate of the Ã:zissette;
1~ IG. 311 E is asiÃle view of the bottom plate accozdÃng to tlio exemplary emboclimexit 1.5 of ehe. cassett.e, FI G. 312A isa. top view of Ã1-ic assembled exemplary embÃ?dimerit of the cassette;
FIG, :' ) 12B is a hottoan view of th~.~ assen-ihled exemplary embÃ?Ã1-i~~~ent of the c:assetite., FIG. 3 1 ?C is aii exploded view of tlae assenib(ed exemplary emboÃlime-lit of tkie Ã.asseÃte.
20 FtG. :3 l2D is an exploded view ol'the assembled ex~inplary emboÃ:timelit of the cassette;
:CI(_iS. 313 shc~w-, a cross sectional vi.ew of the exezn.plary eznbÃ?ditr~ent of tlie assembled c.assÃ.tte;
FIGS. :3) 1 4,=L and :") 1413 tire i5onickr-ic and t:rorit views of an zjl~errBate en.ibodiment of the "5 otiier top plate of the cassetÃe;

FItrrS. 31 4C anÃl :> l ~1) are isometric and ft-ont views of an aIÃernXttc,~
e.rnbcjÃlirnÃ.Ynt; of't.he ititier top 1~latc of ti-ie casseÃ-te-, F1G. 314l: is a side view of the top pla.Ã-e of an altÃ:matu embodiment of ÃhÃ.a Casset:ti;
F f G. 315 is afton.Ã view of the top plate gt1skÃ:t aÃ:c;ordi.n. g to ~n.
alternate eanbc7dÃfnÃ:r.rt 30 of the cassette;
FIGS. 316A and 3I6B are isomet:ric and fiont views oi'zui alternate embodirnent=o. 1'the liquid side of theinictplaÃe of the cassette;

FIGS, ;") I6C: aiid I 16I3 are isometric anÃ.l i i~~i-it. views of a~~i alternate GmbodiniÃ:nt of the air side of the tiiid}~~ate of t1~~e casseÃ-te I?

FIG. 316E is a si(ii view of the mitllalat~,~ tict:carcli!.ig of tan.
alti'mate i.'ii-ibodiii-ie:i-at of the casseite:

l;"ltrr. ;i 17 is a front vi~~&.- of tlae bottom pkit:c.Y gasket according to an alten-l<atG
embodiment of the c.asset.te;
FIGS. 318A aYitl 318B are ison1ctric iaa3d front views of afli alternate c-i31bodixiaeÃaà of the inner side of tl~c bot.ienn plate of t1~e casseit.c;
FIGS. ~~ I SC and 31 SD are isc.~mexric: Ãtnd front views of an alternate c:Ãaibt.~clim ~:.t3t of the otat~,'r side of tlie botloiai plate of the cassette;
FIG. 3 ) l SE is a side view of the bottom plate accc>rdin;y to axi alternate ena:bodimezaà c31".
1.0 the castotte;
1^ tG. 319A is a. Ã~~~) view of the asseÃiibl~d afte.Ã-naÃe, embodiment ot'tiae c:asseÃÃe:
F1G. 319B is a bott.oan view ot-tlae assembled altemate eaaa:bodimeaat of the cassette FIG. :3) 19(_' is aai exploded view of tt_ie assembled ziltemaÃ~ embodiment o-f`Ã:he i;rassette;
1~ IG. 31 9D is an exploded view of the assembled alternate eaa~bodia31~lià of Ãlle cassette;
1.5 FIGS. 324A.-322013 show cross sec:ticatial views of the assembled alternate embodiment of Ã1ie caSsette:
FIGS. 321A-3211=3 show cross sectional views of one embodiment of the check valve;. ~~id FIGS, 321C-321D show pictorial views of oa~e etnboctiment of the check vztlve:.
20 FIG. 48A is oue eniboe1.Ãnaent of theflaiid tlow-path schematic of the cassette;
FIG. 48B is ata alternate embod.iaaleaat of the t"liiid f'lowal?atl~
sclaematic. of tlae, casseÃte;
FIG. 49A is aa isometric bottÃ.~Ã~i vi~~~, of the exempl~~~ embociimc-l3t of the m'ae1:p(ate of the ~~ernplary ernbodia-nent ot`tl~e cassette;
""? t-;lG. 49B is an isometric top view o:f'tlae of the mi.clpl.at:e oft:lae exe111plary embodiment of the castette;
FlG. 49C.is an is~.~niet:ric bottom view of the exemplary embodiment o('t ae mi.dp1.aÃe of the cassette;
1"IC1 49D is a side view of the exeinlaltiry embodiment of the aiaitlplate of the 30 oi:lsst3td:e:
FIGS. 41 flA-41 OB are isometric and top views ol`-tlae exen-Bpl.ary eii-Blaocl.iii-ienà o.['tl-ic top plate of tlae exemplary ~iiitiodiiiaetat of the cassett:e'.

FIGS. 41OC-4 I.[#D are i,oraaeÃric vi~~~~s of the of the uxetnpl<`ary uanbodimer.at.ot'tl;ie top plzaie of tl-ac e:ti~tuplaa~~~ embodiment o1't~~e cassette;
I:.~

FIG. 41 OE is a side view of'the exem plary embodiment of the top lalztte cpf't1ie.
casseite;

FI.CfS. 41 lAatnd 411.11 are ist~i-tictri:u bottom views of the exen-.ipIa:ry Grnbod:irxwnt of btstt in plate Esl'ihe exer.npl~ry, er.ribt?ff.itrienà of the cassc::tte;
F1GS, 411 and 411 D arc.. ist.~Ã~ietric top views of the ezemplar~.~
emb(iciimetit of the t'o(torn plateot'the exemplary ~~~ibudi~~ieiit of the ctisset.te;
FIG. 411E is a side view of the exeinplarv e ~bodinicFit of the bottc~i-ir plate of tlle ~.~xempl:~~~~ emborfinient of the c:assei-te;
FI:CJ. 412:'-l is azi isometric view ol`tf.ie top of the asse.Ãribled exemplani embodimeilt 1.0 of the ca:ssett.e;
FIG. 412B is aÃ-a ison3etric view of tl~e, bottoni of t.lie. assenible~
exemplar), embodiment of the cassette;
F1Ef. 412C is ar-i exploded v.iew ol='the assembled exemplary embod.iznerzt of tl~e cassette;
1.5 1=1G. 412D.is an explocled view oCt:he t is5embled e:zen-alal.ary eii-alaociiii-aent of tl-ic eaSseÃt.e:
FIGS. 413A.-413C sbow cross sectional views of"tt~e exemplary emboclii-tioait of tl~e assembled cassette;
FIGS, 414A-=114E3 show isometric atict top views of aii altt;rt-ia.Ã~.~
embodiment of the 20 top plate according to aÃ-a alternate emboclÃmeilt o.l`t:he cassette;
FIGS. 414[;a414D s}row isometric and bottom views of m aItemat~ ~inbcadÃnierzt of the top plate accc>rclitig to <iii altemate embodiment of the cassel.te, FIG. 414E shows a side view of tl-te alternate embociimeiit of the tc?p pla:te;
11C;S. 415A-415B show i5ouietri.c and top views of an zi1terrBate e.nib dimenl of the "."? riiiclplat.~ ~iccordirig to ati alte.rirat~ embocl.imei-it of the f..assette;

FI.CfS. 41 SC-41 SD s:li.ow Ã,omctrii, atiii.bot#:L}m views of an alter7~iatG
~.'mboÃlirri~.ant of the riiidplat~ acc.ordiag to at-i alter~iate err~~~~~~~~~ent o:l't:he cassette, FIG. 41 5.1; shows a titi~.~ vi.ow of Ãhr:. alt.ernate uanfatxdiinerat. of the miÃ1p1atGi 1"If:i-S. 41 6A-41 6B show isi~I-De-ri.c and top v.iews of an alternate e.Ãi.ibodÃauent of the 30 bottom l.~late act.ordi~ig to aii aIteniat~ emboti:imeiit othc: cassette;
FIGS. 416(:'-416i;3 show isor.net.rÃc aiid 1'_3c?it.on-i vie~~s of an altemat~
ernboclfi-~~ent: of tlie bottom plate according to wi atterriat~ embodiment of tlle cassette;

FIG. 41fi.l~; shows a titi~.~ vi.ew of Ãhe alternate uanfatxdimerat. o{'1:1~ic bottom p1ate;

FIG. 417A is ai-i iscxinetric : top view of an ass~,'n-ibled a1tÃ;rtxate 4mhod~~~ie-1-it of il-it' cas se tte;

FI.Cf_ 417B isan Ãsoti-ictric bot:tora:t ~ iiw ofari assembled alternate Gmbod:iment oi't:lle ezts4ettÃ::;

FIG. 417C is an exploded view of thettssembled alt~eniate embÃ.~dimo-t3t of the f;i3:4sette.
FIG. 417D is an exploded view of the assembled alternate embodiment of the F1CJ& 41 7E slic?ws a cross sectional view of the exeniplax~~~ ~~-iibodimezit of tl~e 1.0 assernblÃ,Ã1Ã::,tssette.
I~ IGS. 41 bA-41b l3 show isoÃiietric; and top views of an alteriiate embodiment of ttie top plate accordin9 toaÃa alt~rnate ~rnboÃtizx~ent of the eassette, FIGS. 41 8C-4i 81) show isometric atid boi-ton-i vi~~~~s ot an altemat~
embrac~irnertt of tlie top plate according to an aItemate embodiment of t~ie cassette;
1.5 41 8:EH. shows a si<ie. view of the alt.emzit:~ embodiment of the top plate;

FIGS. 419:'iH419B show isoÃiietric attÃ1Ãop views of att aItet'nate, e.Ãxibocliment of tl~e mitlplat~.~ ai:Ã:ording to an alternate ernbÃaÃli~~~ent of the c.aEsette;
FIGS. 419C-4191) show isaiiietric aiid bot:toi3i views ot''.1-ri alternate ~~~~bo~,-~i~~~ent of t(ic mÃdplare according to an a(ÃE>ri-iztte. embodiiiieiZt of the cassettÃ>;
20 FIG. 41 9:E shows a side v'iew of the alternate embodimeiit ot't?le m:id-plate;
FIGS. 420Aa4201;3 sliow isometric and. top views of ati alteÃ-tiiÃe embodiment of the bottom plate ziecorclirzg to ~t-i z3lteinat~ embodim~i-ii ot'ihe Ã:a5seue;
FIGS. 420C-420D show isometric aiid bottom views of an aItemate inibodi~~~ent oY-tl-ac bottwu plate according to ttÃi alternate embodiment of the cassetio;
"."? HU 420E slic?ws a side view ot.'tt~e alternate embodifl~~~i-it of the bottom plat:e;
FI.Cf_ 421 A is a top vie~,N-- of an ~~ssÃ:rnbled alternate Ã:rn.bcjÃ(irnent of the cassÃ.att:ee F, lG.4'? I B is a"b~.~ttom view of an assembled alte.Ã:nat:e embÃ?dimerit of the c-asseÃte}
FIG. 42 1C is an. explodeÃI view of t:he asse:rnbleÃ3 altÃ:r:tr:tt.t ernbcjÃiirtxon.t of the f;i3:4sette.
30 FIG. 42 ID is, an exploded view of th~.~ assembled alternate embodiment of th~.~
cassette;
FIGS. 421,2.F3. shows a cross sectional ~~~~iN.-, of the exemplary embodiment of the assernblÃ,Ã1 e::,tssette;

FIG. 422B sl~ows a cross sec:t.ioiiat view of the 4'x<~~i-iplary i~i-ibc?dim~t-it of the assen.tbled c:.xis4eÃte.

FI.Cf_ 500A is atZ explotleci view of't:l-ic. exemplary embodiment of the mixing cassette of the cassette 4ystE'Yl"i;
FIG. 500B is aii exploded view ol'the exemplary ciii1..~ociiiiient: of the mixÃlig cassette of the cassette syste.tt.i;
FIG. 600A is an exploded view of the exemplary eml..~otiAmetit of the middle cassette of the czlssctte systerii;
FI:CJ. 600B is an exploded view ol'the exemplary cittt?ocliiitexit of Ãl~e middle cassettc 1.0 of the ca:ssett.o Systz~-111,;
FIG. 700.1..is an exploded view of t~~~ exemplan- embodiment ot'thebalanciÃI4~
cassette ol'Ãlte cassette szrstem;
FI:Ef. 700B is ar-i exploded v.iew of the exemplary emboclimei.it csl`the balancing cassette of tl~o Cassett.e system;
1.5 1=1G. 800A is a frorzt view of the assennbled e:~emphiry ezi-ibod.imerat of the cassette system;
FICi. St1OR is an isometric view ot't:he assembled exeiiiplanr emboditnent of the ef'IsseÃte svsteti-Ã, FIG. 800C is ati, isometric view of the assembled exemplary embcadimeiit of the 20 cassette system;
FIG. SOÃ?D is an exploded view of the assembled exemplary embod..in1ent of the cassette system;

FIG. SOOlr_ is an exploded view o;:'Ãhe assembled ixenlplary embodixiienà of ÃIle cassette system-, ""? t-;lU 900A.is aiz isometric view o:l`an etiempku~ ~n-lbod-M-aent of t:l~e pod of the cassette syst-elti;
F, 1G. 900B is ati isometric view of ati exemplary embodiment of the pod o:['tt~e cassette syst:c~-iii-71 1"lC1 90O(_' is a side view of an exenipltiry emk?odimen t of the pod of the c:asseÃte 30 s?r'Stem;
FI:E:,, 900D is ai7 isc?inetrYc view ot`an ex.enipl~TN, eniboclrn? ent of one hal# of t.t~e p d of tlle Ca:ssett.~ system, FIG. 900E is aÃi isometric viow of an ex~.ainplary uarit~od:iarterit of on~.a half of the pod of the easseÃte system, FIG. 1 OOt'3A is a pictorial vi.~\,,,cgf the exen-~~lar,J embodiment of the pod ~~iembrai-ac of the cassette system;

FI.Cf_ lt~~OB is a pictorial view of th~.a c.Yxernpt,:ir~,= embodiment ofthe potl.in~.ar~.ibr,:tr.te of the cassette 4ystE'Yl"i;

FIG. I 100 is an exploded view of an exeanplary ea-libodin-icgit of the pod of the f;i3:4settÃ: syste.111;

FIG. 1200 is an exploded view of ~~ic em~.~sodime:trt of a check valve fitricl line in the i%issette 4yS te11Z;
RG. 1300 is an exploded view otoi~~ embodi~~~ent of a check valvefluici lizle in the 1.0 cas3ett:C syst:c~-111;
FIG. 1400 is an ison3etric ~;aew of a~~ exeÃnp(ary embodiÃnent of a iluitl line in the cassette SNxstem;
FIEf. 1,500A is F~i-ie eta:tbod.ir.neyit o.f'th~ fliiid flow-path schema-tic ot'the cassette sy ste-iii integrated;
1.5 1=1G. 150013 is one ~inbodiment o.i='the fluid flow-path scf-aematic of the c<is5eitc system 0itegrated; and FIGS. 160OA-F are various views of tas-~~~ embodiment of the block for cc~~~i-tect1nt*
tlle pneumatic rLities to the manifold ae.cordÃtig to one eiiilaod:itiiezit of the presetit systenl.
DIl<:TA[LED Dk;SCRt.ll'TION OF S11'.~.:C'tFIC EMBODIMENTS
1 . Pumping EYa:;sefte 1. 1 Cassette ?`? The pumping cassette iiicliide..s variotis feat~res, iianic1v, pod t.~t.~i-iips, fltiid lil3es ai-ad ia~ soi-iie embodiment, valves. The cassette er.i~~ibodir.nents shown tiaid ci.escF-.ibe(i in. this clescription.include exemplary and some a:Cternate emboclim~i-it:s.
l;loNvever, anv variety o#.' cassettes havi~~~,= a siri-iilar functionality is c:ont:ernphat:ed. As well, a.ltl`.tough. t:l~e cassette eml.odimetits describ~d hereir~i are imp:[~rne.aÃ:ations of the tltiid se~~ematiE..s as sbowt-i i.n.

FItiS. SA aiid 8B, in other ~rnbotl.irnentsq the cassette may have varying fluid paths and/car.-valve ~~~ace~~ient and:`tar pod pur.~~ip plfice~~ieiits and rrumYsers and thati, is sti.ll within the scope of tlle invention.
In the exemplary ~inlx?diment, the casseite incltid~s a t:v}) plate, a ii-iiclplat:e a~ld a bottom plate. There are a variety of embodiments for each plite. L~~ ~~iieral, the top plate ?5 includes punZp cbarii1.c:~~~ antl:==. :f-luitl lirtes, th~.a niidplxit.Ã.Y
i.i-it;ltidÃ.Ys complementary fluid lines, nieterirzg pumps and valves ~i-itl tlie buttom.plate i.nclude:s actuaÃ:flon s:hwn1~ers (at-id ia some eÃribodÃÃri~,'trts. the top plate and the bottom plate inc1Ãrde, c Ãamplemerrtary, portions of zÃ
balancing cl-ramber;.

In general, the membrane; are located betz~~eerr the rtridplXÃte and the bottom pIate, I-ioweveÃa with respect to balancing cIra irrErCTs, a portion of a membrane is, located betweerr the rnidplate and the top plate. Somà embodiments incltÃde, where the niembtarrc is attached to the c:assette. e.i-Irer over.ÃÃrolded, captured, bonded, press fit, welded in or any other process or method for att<rchment, however, in the exemplary embodiments, the membr;.Ãnesme sÃ,~pzÃrzite from the top plate, Ã-n.idplate aric3 bott.oÃn Irlate,~ a.Ãrr#.il the plates zire asseriibled.
1.0 The cassettes may be Ã:t3ti.s[rttc:t:ed of a variety of rtr.ateria.ls.
Generally, iri the various eni:bodimertt, the materials LÃsecl are solÃd andnora flexible. in the pa-efert'ed emI~odiÃrient, the plates are constructed of l.rolysr.ÃlfoÃie, bÃ.rt in other embodiments, the cassettes ca.re corrstrcfcied of ar-iv otl:rer solici ri-raterial rirrcl M
exemplary embocliment, of arvy, thezmoplast:ic or fIiermoSet.
1.5 ln the exemplary embodirz~ent, the cassettes are forir:~ed by 13laÃ::irrg the rr-rembÃ-aiies in fIicÃr correct locations, assembling the plates .Ã-n order aÃrd cor.rtrectilic, the plates. In one em:bocli.rnent, the plat~~~ are connected iÃsii:Ãg a laser weldiaig gechi-tiqtÃe.
However, in other eÃrrbodiments, the plates may be rlLÃed, mechanically fastened, stÃ~apf~ed togetbet-K ultrasonically we(Ãlecfi or any other mode ol'aftaÃ;lring the plates together.
20 i:rà pr~.~4tiÃ;e, the cassette Ãira.y be used to p'ÃÃ-Ãrila aiiy ty-pe oft'lu.ad frÃ.rria:Ãry source to any location. 'I'he types Of fluid inelÃÃde nutritive, nc~-nnr:ÃtzÃtive, izxortyaÃiic. chemicals, organic chemicals, bndlly flÃÃids or aÃ:Ãv other type of fliÃi.d.
Addit.io.Ãr.ally.;1-1ÃÃid in some embodiments iÃicltrdÃ;: a gas, t1itts, in some embodiments, the cassette is rrsed to f.~t.tÃ-iip a gas.
The cassette aerves to purrip and (lirec;t the flr.Ãid.f-:rorn, arrd tf) -t}re desired locatinrÃs. In "."? some embodimerrts, outside pumps ptrrrrp the:tluid. iiito the cassette tir-iti the cassette prÃmps the fluid oÃÃt. 1=lcr~~~evc:Ã-, in tomo embodiments, the pod pumps serve to ptr.ll the flÃtid ii;Ãf:Ã:s the cassette ~i-id pump theflÃrid tatit Ã?t the cassette.

As discussed above, def~encliÃi- osi the valve locations, control of tt.te fluid f:Ã<ttlrs is iÃnpfr.Ã-tetl. Tliris, tlre valvÃ:.s being in different lc~cat.iÃ.rr.rs or additional valves are alternate 30 ~.'mbÃadiÃ~ients of this cassette. AdÃ.iitionally, thÃ.t fluid liÃic:s and patlis sla~.~~~,-n in th~.~ figures descÃ-ibed above are r~~ere examples of fluid li:Ãies azid paths. Other e.Ãnbocli.Ã-zier.Ãts n-zay Itave more, less and/or clitteteÃat fluid patlrs. [n still otlier embodiments, valves are rrcat present in the castotte.

The nÃ-r3-~ber of pod ptr.r-nps described above may also vary clil*encling, on the en-ibodinir~nt, For exaniplrw, altl-iorrgh the exenxplaxy and alternate eÃnbodi.rnents sliowrl arld described a.bove inclucle two pod ptÃ_r-tr=:ps, in otli~.ar Ã.'mbofiir-nentsw t1w cass~.ai:t:G inclt,tl.Gs, ozii.
f ri still other enrboi-limentsq the cassette iriclr.rcies rncar"e than two pod pr_ariips. The pod puÃ~lp4 can be sir~~~le puriips or wc.~r"k in taiidim tc.~ provide a mor-Q
eotrtinr_iorr.s f1ow. Either or botli riiay be rrsetl in. various erribodamenÃ5 of the cassette.
The various fltriti inlets aiici fluid Ã~~tttlets are flr.ricl ports. In practice, dopending on the va.(v~,~ airaaigemerit arici cort~rod, a i-Itriti irilet ca.r-i be aI-lrrici outlet. Thtrs, ihe designation of the fluid l3crri as a flr:Eid irrirwt or a 1lzrid outlet is orily for description purposes. The 1.0 various c.rs-rbodin-r~.`nrs have interchangeable flti.id por-ts. The fluid ports are provided to impart partieralar fluid patbs or-rto the cassette. ':['liese flr.r-id ports are not -rrecessaz':ily. all used all of tlie tinie: :inst~ad, the variety of ilrrid ports provides flexibility of tise of the cassette i11 p.ra.c.i-ize.
l." Exemlala:ry I'resstrae Pod l'r.rmp Eriiiaodiriie Ãrts (5 FIG. IA is a secti~.~mil view of ai3 exemplary pod pump 100 tbat is incorporated into a tltÃid c:ontrol or pump cassette. (seealso FIGS. 3 and 4), .Ãn accorciarrce wi.tb an exemplary embor_limetit of the r;.assetÃe. In this embodFmer1t, the pod ptimp is ft.#rmc:d from tlrree rigid laieces, narnely a "top" plc-tÃe 106, a m.iciplate 1.08q and a "bottom" plate .I10 ti.t 20 shorrld be rioted tba.t the Ãer-rns :<top"a:rld "bottom" are r-ela:t:ive and are used liere for coTrvenÃciic;.c. with r~.`ferc:rtc:e to tlio orientation shown in FIG. 1 A;.
The top and bot:t:orn plates 106 arid 140 includegrrnrvra:lly bemaspheroid portioiis that whefli asseÃnbleci together de:1-ir:ae a}rr;,rni,p}rr;.rcri.d chamber, wl-iicii is apotl ptimp I W
.A Ã-nembrar.re I 12 separates tl:re central caviiv. of: the pod prr.r-~ip .ir.rto two 25 charnbers. In orie eniE7odÃnient, these chambers ar~.: tiic i:rtumpiaig ehaxia:ber that receives the fluid to be pumped ar-rcl arr actuation chamber for receiving the ra.onÃx-o14as that pne-trniaticail~~ actuates tlie pErriip. An inlet 102 allows fluid to eritr~r t:}io. pumping ehajnber~~
arrtl an otrt:lrr.t. 104 allows llr.rid to exit the prrmpirrg s<.tiairrber_ T3ie inlet 1.02 and tit~.a outlet 104 may be fc?rmed betNvee.ri midplate 108 arid the top plate 106.
i?r.rerrmatie pressure is 30 provided t1ircxr,rgir a.larrerrmatic port 114 to either f'orce, with posigas laressrrr~.~, the membrane 1.1.2 a~
gaÃnGt r,r~e wall of the pod ptimp s.as Ãt-y to miÃxi.mize the pur~ipiziiw chaÃ~ibe.t's volume, or to draw, witia raeqwa:tive ;;a::, pressure, the meriibraÃie 112 towards the otbez wall of the pod puriip 100 cavi.t.yrn maxrra:ri.re the:p{rnlpir-Ig ch~unber"s volurne-The mem$~~rttÃ-it~ 112 is provided with a rliickei1ec1 rim 116, w1-Ãicli is held tigl-ltll~
bvaprotrusiori I l8 i1., the inidplaÃ:e 108. in ma:nu:i=aeruring, the membrane 112 can be placed iÃi aiid IZeItl by the groove 108 before t:he::bottom plat.Ã.Y 110 is connected (M the exen-iplary, embodiment) to the midplate 108.
Although not showri in FIGS. IA aiid 1B, in some em~.~ociimetits of the pod 1~~imps on. theflui.d side, ~groove is preseut on the chatriber wfill The groc?ve acts tr' prevent folds in the ~~ieml~,rarie i'roin trapping flriid in the chani~.~er when on1ptying.
Referring first to Fl~F. IA a cross suc~ti~~-ial -c,ie.w o-I'a reciproca#.in;f posit.ive-elisplae.eii-iciià puz~ip 100 inacassette is shown. "t'iie pod punip 100 i~icittcles a flexible 1.0 niersZbrane 11.2 (also ro:lerreci to as the <`Iaw-aia diaphia.s.,t~~"' moL,aitet( where the pump.iu;w clia.mber (also referred to a.sa'<li.~.-i~Lii.d c:lia:mbei" or :...liquirl pumpi~~ig cha.mbe:0 wa.il.122and tli~ actuation chamber (alsw referred to as the"pr~eumatic c.ha:inber".) wall 120 meet. The mernbrane 112 ef"iective:ly divi(le-, that inierior cavity into avariabie-VOILIMe pumping chamber {detiiiecl by the rigid interior suri=~~~ of tl]e. pumping clia:iiiber wall 122 1.5 aÃ-id asui.rti~~e of the mea-&rane 112) azid acoinplerz~entary varizible-volLime aetti<itiol:I
elia.i-~iber (defined by the rigid inÃerior surface of theactuat.Ãon chamber wall. 120 a~-id a surface of"the mernbra_ne 112), The top postic~i-i 106 iriclttcles a, tILtid inlet 102 zincl a fluid outlet 104, bc~~~~ of wliiei3 are in t'ltiici communication wi.tli the punipingg,`li.~,~ui~.-I c:l~amber.
The bottoÃn pcYi-tioii 110 includes an acmation or pn~,'Limat.ic inÃeriace 114 in fluid 20 communication w1Ãh. the a.ctuaticni c;laamber. :1s disc~~~,-,ed-i.Ã-a ,,rea:ter rlet~-ii( below., the membnax~e 112 cati be tir~ed to move back and tortli witliiÃi tl]e cavity by a.Itemately app(~~.i~.~M negative or ~~elit to attzic~sl~ii:~re aii~. ~~~~siÃ~i~,e pneumatic pressure at the 1~~.~e~.~r~~.a.Ã~i~~
iiitertace 114. As the mernbrane 112 reciprocates back aiid forth, the stÃm r.it`the voltimes of #I-aC PiiI-Irp.il~g ai-icl actuaÃ.ic~~i char-nbe.r;~ ~~enwins constant.
""? D ~~.ri.r~..~ t~;l~.ical ilitil l~i~r~~l~i~~~.~ c~~~era~:ic~~~.s, the application o2 ~~e~~ative (-).Ã ~~l-i[ to at~~~io3phore pnea.trtia.Ãic prosstir~.~ to the actuation or pnt:urnaÃic .ittterfacu 114 tends to withdraiv the r-iiembra.iie 112 toward the ac:.t-mation clla~riber ~vall 120 so as to expand the pttmping: liqtÃ.id cha.rnl~er and draw fltiid into the pumping chat3~~ber Ãhrottgli the MI~.at 102, while the appl.iCariOD 'Of Pc?Siti~~C pi3etematic pressure tends to push the ni:eaubrane 1.I.2 30 toward the ~~iml.~i~~~~ ~har~~ber wall 122 so aS to collapse thc pLimping c.ha.mb~.'r and ~.~apel fliaid in the purnpin.;w: G~I~aYi-ibe~~ through the t~~atle~. 104.
T~~.~ri~:~s;. such 1~~.~~i-Bl~i.~-~N; ~~}~e.~~z~t:iotis, the ititerior surfaces of the laumpina.~ chamber wall 122 aiid the a.ctÃ.~atÃozx ~.1~.aÃ~.~~~ea ~~~all 120 limit ~~~lovernent cit`Ãhe rric~rnl;iran~.~ 1:1.2 as it reciprocates i1ack and forth. In the ernbotlirnent sht~x-vii in :(tIG. 1A; the itiÃ:eri~.~r surfaces ot.'the pumpi.ag cha~i-iber ~Nval1 '122 alid the aLttiaÃi01.1 c(iat~bet- wall 120 are rigid, smcxoth, and txertiisplterical. In lieti of it.
rigid actuation cEa~~ber wal1.1Z0, anal.ternative rigid 1'imit structure ------ :f'or example, a portion of a bezel used fo:r providing pn~~~rn4a[ic pressLtre. and/or a set vf'ribs - may be used to limit the movement of t~ie nit:.nibrane as tl.le ~~lffnpin<p chauiber fipp~~oaches mtzximt#.t~n, val.ue. Bezels aaid rib 5trtactLtres a:re described gerierally in United States Patetrt AppItcat:loil No. 10/697;450 ei-itit.lecl B.C:c:1311 ASSEMBLY FOR l?`NEUMATICC"MThOt:. filed can C3t:tober and ptablished as Ptiblicatit.~n'~o. US 2005/00951 54 (Attor~~~~~ Dclcket No.
1062:`13: ~), and related PCT Applic<atioii No. l?CT1"US2Ã304;03595? ciit.itle,'c3 ~~ZE-I:, ASSEN1BL:"i'" 1''OP, ('NEIAIA'1"1C; Ct)N`l':l2.C)L filed oti OctciEae.E 29, 2004 a~id published as l,'ublicat.iozi No. WO
1.0 2005/04443 5 (Attorney Docket. No. .l 06''/1) :' IWO), botl:3 of wbic h ai-41~icreby iniotj)ora.tetl }tereizt. bv reterettce in their ecttiÃ-eties. Thus, theri6d limit stÃ-r.tetua-e such as the rigid actuation cha:ni1=Ser wall I20, a bezel, or a set of ribs ------ defities tlie shape of the membraile 112 w, hen the pa.tmpi.na cl3iimber is a 1.1 ts rnax.ir.i~_~~~rzi~_~ v. alae.
1:~~ zipi.-et~err~edezi.ibod.imer-it, tl-~~
~~~enibrane 112 (when -tir~ed against the rigid 1ii1iÃt structure) arid the rigid interior yurta.:e of 1.5 tl~e P MP.i1.1M cl-iamiser wall 122 define a sphericrt!.1yu~~.pi~~g c'lxwnber zRol-Lai-ae wt-zc.ii. the ptrrttpitt~ chamber volume is at a mittisiitim..

Tbtis, in th~.~ emhodim~.'nt shown in FIG. 1A., movetr7ent of the ax~.~mbr;.-~nG 112 2, is limited by ttte pun-tpi.Ã~o ebaiYiber wall .I.22 aÃid tlie, ac:tuation eltartxber wall 120. As lot3gas t(ic positiv~~~ and vent to atri:ios'phere or negat:iv~,~ pressttrizt.ttÃons prcavictect through the 20 ~~~etimaÃic port 114 are st.rojig, enough, tlte mem(3rane.112 will move from a position limited bv the actuat:iogt f:.hatnber wall. 120 to a positioÃi limited by tlie ~yumpiÃt;.y c.}~~rn1,aer wall 122.
Whera t(-ie mernbrane 1.12i.s f:orc~~ against the actuation ci-iaiiiber wall 120, -tl-ie mernbrar~~
and the pumping chamber wall 122 defiiie the maxiiiitt~~i volume of the pttmpat3g chamber.
When the r~~~inbrane isiorceci agai~ist the parnping charnbe.r wall 122, the purilp.ing cl-iaÃ-iilier is at its mininium voIui-iie.

In .tn exeniplarA` eiiZbotl.iiiierit, t1-ic pt~~~ipi~ig chartibÃ.Yr wall 122 and the actuation chamber ivall 120 both have a hemis,pheao.id shape so that the pt-mping,-ebwnber wil.l have a 3phe.roid shape wh~.`iZ it is at its iaiaxinitini vot~~rne. By using a ~.~rur~-lpi.rig e:haanbiar- that a.ttÃtilis aspl~ieroidshape------and particiilarly a spheric:Etl shape------at niaximuan vc3l.ianxc. circulating 30 flow may l.~se attaiÃretl throughout th~.~ pLin-ipinAF chan~ber. Stacll shtal3es taceurdt~igly tend to avoid stagnant pockets of -f2uid in the puinpin4w chatyiber. As dflscia~~ed further below, the orientations of the inlet 102 anc~ outlet. 104 also tend t:o 1=iati~~ an impact nai the flow of flui~.~
throttgh the puntpir~g charn1~or aritl in st~i-tiia ~~~~bodimerrts:.ruduce the 1ikGli.tifaod of st~gnant pockets offlu.id togtyti.Ã-rg. Add.ititanal:[y, compared t:ootlter volui-netric shapes, the 5phe.rical.

shapt,~ ÃmW spheroid shapes in generalg tends to create Iess shear arÃd.
ttrrhLrleÃ-ice as the f1r;Ãid circulates itrt.o, through, arzd oÃ:it of the -pur~ipi~~g chamber.
Ret'oi`rin`; riow to Fit_i-S. :}-4, a raised flow ~.~at1a 30 is sttowrr in th~.~ purnp:it~g chan-iber. This raised flow path 30 allows fcrr the fli.rid to continue flowing t.hror.rgh the px3d.
t.~ti.iÃiips after the membrane reaches thc.. etici of stroke. Thus, the raised flow patl-r 30 rriini.rnizes the chances ta.{`the r.nernbrane causing zÃir caT fluid to be trappe<i. in the pod pr.rr'rip or the membrane blockiYrg the iii1et or otttlet of the pod ptrm13 wliicli wor;Ã.Id. inhibit cotziirrtrorr:s flow. Tli~,~ raÃse~.l flow paili 30 is shoivn in the,~
exerraplary er-i~~odimi.'iit 1~avirig ~~articÃ.ilat diniensions, however, in alternate embodimetits, as seexj in :Ejit:xS. I Sn'4.r1 SE, the 1.0 raised flow path 30 is narrower, or in. still other eir:11;aod.iar:lent:5, the ra:is4d. flcjw path 30 cÃtri be aÃiy dimensions as t.l.~e pr.rtpose is to controlflr_iid tlow so as to ac:lxieve a desired flow Ã=ate or behavior of tlio tluid. Thus, the dimensions shoe~~~i arid described here witli respect to tlie raised flow pat:(i, t(ie pod puzrips, the valves or any nt.her- asl~ed zire mere ex.e.r-nt~lan, and alternate embodiments. Othe.r eml:~soc.-~imerits are readily appareÃit.
1.5 1.3 E~eniplary 13ahincin~ Pods Embodiment Re{=erring Ã~~ow toFIGS. 1 B, aii exemplary embodi.merit: o-1' a balaticirig pod is showÃi.
f('~ic balancing pod is cotistr-tacted similar to the pod pttr~~p described above witl3 respect to FIG. I.A. :Hcr~~~~~~~~~, a balancing pnti includes two fluid balancing cl.ratrxbers, F-atheÃ- than an

2 0 actuation charnber arr;da pumping chamber, and does tiÃat iÃie1tide ari actuation port.
Atldationa(Iv., each balanciiwl chaÃ-zibe.r- includes ati i.rilei: 102 adid an outlet 104. :IÃ-z the exemplary e:rnboclitnent, a groove 126 is iriclrieled ~.~~i eae~i ot-ttze balancing chamber walls 120, 122. The ~,~rtrov~.~ 126 is ti~.`4crib~.~ci iri 4-trrth~.ar t.~c.:t.ril beirtn~v, The membrane 1..12 provides a sea.[ betweert the two chaÃ-tilie.ts. '1lic balancing 25 chambers work to balance the flow of flLrid Ãiito aÃ-id out of the ehaÃ-ixbers such that bot1i cItar.libers maintain an eqr.ral vo:1time rate flow. Altltotr;>h the inlets .102 and outlets '104 for each chamber are shown. to be on the sanne side, in other embodiments, the inlets 102 and outlets 104 for each c;liambe.r- are on. dil't-ereÃ-rt sidc:.s. Also, the inlets 102 aaid outlets 104 cari be (in either" side, depeneii~ig oii the flow path in which tlxebala:ricirr~
pod is inte f~,r~Ãted.
}0 ID one embod-imen- of the bfilszns`.i~ig pod tl:re m~~iibrfine 112 ir:rclrtcles aai embcrdirrl~..Ã1t srÃ-ztilar to the oue descr-ibed below with respect tÃ) FIG. 6.A-~.~CF.
However, in alternate er-nt~odÃments, the n-rembr-tiaie 112 casi be over molded or otl1en~v ise constructed stic:h that a double-ring seal is not applicable.
I.A Meteritrg Pt.rn-rps and FltÃid Ntan.rhencre::nt SyStem.

The metering pttmp t:tisi be atty, Ptrtt-tp that is t;apiable o#'aclcti.r-ig aitv fltlict or removing arrv fla:ri.t.~. `I'he tlt.tidS include bt:tt are not limited to iornpotÃ:ntls or olenien.Ãs, organic i.ompotatitl:s or elc.Ytner.tts, nut:raccuticrtls, nutritional t:.le~~ieazts or c:ornpour.tds or soltttiOrtS, Or atly; c?il.tCTflt#itl c;~i l~ableofbc:.iitgp-Lampetl, l.rr one embodiment, the metering ptÃtnp is a membtant:, pttn11). In tlic exemplary embodiment, tl-le r~'lt:.Ãei'irig Pt.trrila is a sr.naIleY' voltame Poti: ptFnala. 1n the c.xemplany c..Ãi.ibodi.-i.iesit, the riteteririg ptunp iric.ltrdes an itilex and an ottÃlet, similar to a larger pod ptzrtip (aS Shown in FIG. l A (yr example). I-lowev~,~r., the ititet and rTtttlct are generally t-titrch st~iallor #.l-tait a pocl p-ttr~-il) aiid, irt oric exemplary embodiment, izit:.:ltzd~~ a volcano valve-like raised rirag around either tlle 1.0 iiilet or otrtlct.. Metering pt.tmps it-icltÃ_tlc a rney.ribrant:, and various crnbod.in-wrzt.s of a meter'itzg,pt.tttip membrane are shown in I^IGS. :?E_hH. The meteriztiw pump, izt, some emiaodiÃnents, punips a volume of tltritl otit of tlte filtlid. lÃne.. Once Ãlle t7tiicl is iÃi, the pod pump, a refereÃ-tce cltrrmber, located otrtsidc: the cas5eit.e, using the I-MS, determines the voli.rme that has been rer~~~~~ed.
1.5 `I'h-tis. dependi.n-; on. the emboci.imertt, tliis voftanic of f-lu.id that has beezi rerntavecl will iiot fl-ma flow to the fluid t?trÃleÃ; the bakance ol -inbei=s or to a pod }nump. 'I'htts, 111 some emboelimea-iis, the ciietericis ptÃ:~rip is use(i Ãti r~~n-iov~~~ a volume c3f'flt:aid from a fItiicl line. 1:i-t other embodimettt.s, the metering pt.tn-tp is used totemove a volume ot'.t'lu..Ãd to produce other resralts.
20 FMS ttiav be used to perft~r~ii certain fluid -managemertt sysÃemnieastr.tements, such as, for example, measuring the volume of sulaject: fluid pumped. Ãhrotlgh the parrila claait:tber cltrri.niaa stroke of the membrane o.r detecting air l.ti the l~t,~r~xl~i.Ãi, chamber, e.~., ttsing Ãechz~iqtÃi:s described in U.S. l'aterià Nos. 4,808,161 ; 4,826.4;f2;
4,976,162, 5,088,515, ai-ad 5,350,357, wh.iclt are Itcrelsy irtcorporatecl lierc:irt bN,, reference in t.lic.i~~ entircties.
"."? Metcring puni13s are also ~~~ed i.Ei. v,,rrior-s emboclime.ÃiÃs to prar1p a set:~~~-id f`luid into the fltritl line. In Sorne ~.`t l;aoditxtertts, the metering pt~~np is used to purrtp a therapeutic ora compound itit:o a fltiid linc. Otic embÃ?dimei-it uses the metering prÃii1p to ptÃti-il~ a volitÃnc of compound into a mixing t 1-ia~~ib~.ar in or'dcr't:c} t;onst:iÃ-r,te a solutiort. In soz~ic of tlic;e embod.irnents, the metering pctnips are c.onligt#.red. for I='MS v lume.nieastxrc.anent.. In 30 other embodiments, th~.~ rnt~t:.ring ptam~.~s arc not.
1="oc FMS rt-teasuretnent, a sr.nal ( fixed reference air clt'art-it~er is located outside of tlie cassette, for example, in the pneumatic maziifolcl. (riot shown). A valve isolates the reference ch~rnl;ier asitl a 5ecorttl pr~esStÃr< <~.artsor. Ttic str.olc-e volume ol't.hc tnetGrit~g purrip riiav be precisely computed kyy claar-giiig the re:t=ererlce cllarriber ~NviÃb air, measttriti,, tl~e 2 :.~

pressure, ~~id then t~penÃn~= the valv~,~ to the pumping chatrrbet=. The volume ofRair caii the cl~iami~er side ii~ziv be c oni pu4t~~ 'based oia the fixed volume o:t`ti-ic reference chambe.r and the change in, presstire when the reference c1i.amber was cc}rrnectet3 to the purtxp chamber.
-I...S Valves Tlie exemplary e3aibodi'iiettt of the cassette includes oxie ornio.re valves.
Valves are ir.sed to rega,ilate flow by opeiiing and closing ~ILtid li!.ies, The valves included in the various entbodintettts of ttte a;a.ssette include one or more oi'tlte.fo(lowizte,:
volcano valves or smooth valves. In some embodiment of the cassette, c17eckvalvt;s may be inc:lt.tcteci.
1.0 Ernbodi.r~~ents c>.{'ti-~o- vo(cEarzo valve are shown M. FIGS. 2A arrd 21:3, ~.~:.hile an ernbociirrleaià of the smf-ioÃh valve is sh~.~wii in FIG. LC Acidit:iotially, FIGS. 3 and 4 siiow cross secticYI3s of one ernbodin-ion.Ã- of a pod pirmp in. a cassette with, an iiilet tir.ld arB
outlet valve.
Uenerally speakiiig, reci~.~rocatin~ positÃve=displacea~~ent prii31ps ofttiie types.jtist described in.ty include, or may b~.~ ttseci in c:or~junct:ion wiÃ13; various valves to coi-itrol fltiid flow through t~~~e pump. Thus, lor e:a.ai-iTple, the ~~eciprocating pos1tive--dis-pl.acen1ent pti~~ip or the balancing pods rnay include, or be tisetl M. cortjunct.ion withs an inlet valve and:"or an outlet valz>.e. '~['lre vah:es i-iiaNi 'E~e passive or at.t:ive. 1n the exemplary embodiment o('the reciprocatÃn<v poaitite-displacement pump the me:.mbrane is tyrged ~ackand forth by t.~ositive arad ~~eizative p.res5unzai.ions, or by positive and vei3t toatr~~~~sphere pr~~su.ri-r..ati ns, c?.['a g~~s _0 provided through the pneumatic laort, which connects the actuation chamber toa pressr.iÃ-e actuation system. `I"l~e restiltir-ig rec.i~~z~~~~.ati~~~, a~:ti~~~~. c~~'t~xe ~.~-~erz~~~r~~iz ~~~~Z1.~. t~~~it. ir~tc3 t}.ie pumping chamber tiom the inlet (the outlet valve prevents liqr.iid from beingyt~ckecl back iiito the pr~rnping chaniber firom tl-ie outlet) <~~-id t~ieti litzshÃ.Ys the -tluid. oL,t o-t.'tllia purnping eliarzt~~er through the outlet (the iiilet valve ~~everits. flint.l froni beinw>.tc~rced ~ackfii-om the inlet).
In the exemplary embodmients, active valvescontrc.l the flu.id flow diroug~h the pu~~ip(s) and the cassetÃf:.. The active valves mztv be actuatec11~~~ a controller in sue}) a nianner as to direct fltaw.in a tfesired ~~rection. Stic:h an, arrangenieÃit wou(d. gg er.ierallt pemiit the controller to cause flow in citlier direction throrigl7 the pod ptimp. Ii3 a typical }0 systerii, the flow ~~~oulc~ 110rrrialk{ be i~ia first diz'ectio.n, ~.~., ftozri the in.fet to the otatl.et. At c:ertaiii other titiies, theflow may be directed in the opposite d.irectioxt, e g., frotn tkie oritlet to the inlet. Sa,ittr reversal of flow may be ~,'tripIoyecl, for exaiiiple, cl~iri~g primili;r of the p~imp, to cl-~eck to-r anaberrant line cc~~idition (e.g., a li~ie occlusion, blockage, drscc3nnect, or leak._), or to t;le4a~ an4t1:aerrant line condition (~.'.g.. to tri to di.sloe{~~ a blockage).

f?nct-matic actuation of~valves providcs, pressure c raÃitrol anci a.
natt.trRt1 limit tc? the rnaximLim f3gessa:Ãre that may be dc-,,elopeif ir~ ~syStem. Iti the context of'a sysÃeÃii, pn.crÃ:rsZaÃic actuation has the acitfcd I,aerÃefit of prc>vidin`.~ the opportunity to locate all the solenoid control valves 01.Ã OrÃe side ot'the sv;;teÃri away f:rcani the fluid paths.
Referring now to FI+G:$. ~? A aiicf ?13, set.t:iotiaI views of M~ c..~
enibo;fia~ielits of a volcano valve are sf.iowÃi. The volcano valves are pue-LÃnarÃtical1y cunt.rolled valves t}Ãat il:Ãay.
b~. tÃsetf in embodinicrits of the c~~~sette. A membrane 202, aloflig with the midplate 204, deiir.Ães ava1virigch.aii.Ãb~,~r2O6. Pn~,'umatic~ressu.re is proviciec{ thi-ouglt a.i?Ãti.'uÃnatic port 208 to eithcg- force, with positive ~G~s pressure, the 1aic<mbratic 202 a;.:~.illsà a valve seat 210 Ã~?
1.0 close tfÃc valve, or to draw, with i-iegati~e gas pres5LÃre, or iÃi sotn~.Y en-ibcadim~,~nÃ.s, with vent toaitno>pf~erÃc pressÃ:Ã.Ã=e, the Ã-ttembi-tMe away.front the valve seat 210 to cÃ-pett the valve. A
contro1. gas chamber 212 is defined by the membrane 202, the top plate 214, and the madplat.e. 204_ `i"l~e mi:cfpiaÃe 204 has aii indentation f:ormeri oii. it, into which the Ã:nernbr<ine 202 is placed so as to t(irm the control gas chamber 212 oÃi oiie side of the membrane 202 1.5 aÃid the val;:iciw cl-iFÃÃ-Ãibe.r 206 oai tl~~e oiher,-'ide.
`l':lle pncamatic port 208 is defined by a cl nnef.fot'me:tf in tl-ie top plate 2.1.4. By providing pnetÃmatic c:e~i-itÃ'ol of several valves in a cassette, valvt., can be ganged together so that all the v4~li~~s ganged tÃÃ=.~etlter c;a.zt be opened or clos~dai the Sartxe time by. a s.it3gle sotÃx-c~,~ of PÃ1011Ã-11.ati.c pressure. ChaÃineIs forincd on the midplate 204, c:cÃrrespc~iidiii;r witfi 20 fluirf paths aloÃ~o witl-t the bottoÃti plate 216, define the valve .i-ttlet 218 and the valve otiÃlet 720. Holes formed througf~ the midplate, 204 provide commuÃ:tication between the ztilet 218 atad tN-ie valving c.fiambcr 206 <iiicl between the valvitig chamber 206and the outlet 220.
Tlae membr~ne 202 is provided with a thickened riÃ~~ 221, whicli fits tÃg .
I'iily in a s),.,-rooa~e 224 in the m.idpIate 204. Thus, the nj.e:nit?ranc 202 can be placed in and ficicf by the "."? arooe=e 224 k3ef_og-e the top plate 214 is con.nected to the rnidplate 204. "I'hias, this valve design may impart bone:f.i[s in marÃu:f-Ãtct.uring. As shown in 11CfS. 2B anÃf -2C, t.h~.Y top plate 214 may iz-ic:lude addii.ioria1 material c:,:i~~ridiniziÃo c;ontro1 gas chaÃ-iiber 212 so as to prevent tberneraibrttne 202 fi=oÃii being ux-e.Yd too rnt.Ãch in a direction away from the groove 224, so as to f~reveÃit. the merribr{zne's thrckenccf rim 222 fÃ-ona popping ottt o.t't.he groove 30 224. 'fh~.~ location of the frii4timatic port 208 wit';i respect to ttac cot Ãtro1 gas i;haniber 212 vari~s in the two embodiments shown M F:IG4, 2A aÃxd 213.
H& 2C shows an enibodiment in wlaicli the valvi_Ãig cl]amber lacks a valve seat feat.Lrre_ Rather, in FIG. 2C, t:lic valve irà this embodiment does raot incl.uÃie arly volcano featu.re5 arid thus, t:f~e valvina chaÃ:z-ibe.r 206, i_e,, the t'(uids.ide, does ~-iot ifliclt,dc anv riiiseci ,,,~iv~ 5 f'eaÃtyres and thus Ãs smooth. This t'r.l~bocfimc.nt is t,tst,'d in casst;ttes used to ptimp flt.tir~
~ensitive to >hearirt~. FIG. '~I3 shows an embodiment iz~ ai~rhiett the -~~alvi.Ã~.t., chamber l~as a raised area to ,ti.t.f in thc soalitai g of the vaIvirtg min.tbrxtne. RefÃYtrinq now to FtGS. ?E-2Ca.
vari i14 embodiments oCthe valve nit:.nibrfine are shown. Althcsti9b st~~~ie exc.-i.rplary embodiments ha-v'e been shown a:tid described, in other embodiments, variatic7ns of the valve ~~-id valving nit;ntb.t-anr:: rnay be tase&
1.6 Exemplary Embodiments of the f't?c1. Membrane In some embodiments, tlic membrane has a variable crcass-St,'c:tiotiat t1iickn4ss, zts 1.0 shown i.tr FI:('s. 4. 'f'f.tinr.ter, t}tackex or -variable thickness membranes may be used to acc,Ã.~mmoda:te Ãhe strengÃh, fIexttraI and other properties of the olioscn menibranes materaals.
Thitmtir5 (l.iÃ~ker or variabl~.~ rriernbraa3ta wall thickness niav ahso be atiecl tc) manag~.a the mernbt'ane thereby ~~~~oitragitrg it to flex more easily in soÃrie. areas than in otherareas, thercbv ,ti.t.lin;.~= in the ntat-iagctiient o#'ptÃi-tiping action and flo~.~.~ of'st.tbjoe:t f7ti.id in th~.a pump l5 chamber. In tl-tis emboditr~~i-it the rtrembrane is slrow.Ãi.11aving its thickest cross-sectional area closest to its center. f.f<3tivever in other en-ibL}dirnenÃ-s f3stv.ittg a. trternbr<<tnt,~ with a e.at-vÃti~f cross-sectional, the thickest and thinnest areas ~i-iav be i.~~ ~~-iv location on the membrane, 1-htts, fc.`it example, Ãlic thitiner crosS-sectiotr nnay be located near the center and #lae thicker cross-sections, located closer to the perir.neter of the it-Bet-nbrane. Still o-ther 2 0 configurations are possible. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, one eiiabodi~iient of a menibrane is shtn-wÃ-t having various scirt<ice entbodiz~~~i-ifs, these include smooth (1=1G. 5A), rings (FIG.
:?D), ribs {1~`IG. :?Q, cli~n.ples or dots (FIG. 513) of variable t1iickneSS
aÃid or ~;eotnetty located at vai-iotis locations ort Ãh~.~ act-t,ation,.trttl or pt.trnping side of'th4 rnembrane. In t:srte embodiment of the met~ibrane; Ã.}~eniembratte liaas a tangential slope in at least otie section, 25 bttt in other embodiments, the membrane is completely smooth or substantially sn-tcac?th.
Referring now to:FIC:iS. 4A, 4C' and 4D, an afternate embodimeiit of the membrane is show.n.. In this etnbodi.nient, the t nenilrarane has a dimpled or dotte~.i sttrfacc..
The n~embrane may be made ol'atiy~~ ~exible mitteri.al 1~aving a tfeSireci durability and compatibility with tht;, sub~jt:ct flrtid. The niembrane can be made fromany nrater4tl that :30 ntay flex in rt:.sporise to.filÃa.itiq Iacltiid oi- gas pressure or Vacatitr~ applied tt) the actuatirni t:hatnber. The tnemb ane fiiateraal trtayalsc~ ~e chosen for particular bio-compatibility, temperature ccan:~patibili:t\" or compatibility with vtirioti:s sub~ject fluids tbat may be ptji-npt;d.
by the nnembrane or introduced to the eba.nlbe-rs tt:) facilitate mc.venxe.Ãxt of the nre.mb.tane.
fn the ~.`:~ei.rifafary ~.'mbotfimer-it_ the rnerrrbrztn~.a istnatie from high eIon~,Fai-i~.~n5ili.Ã;ono.

HoweveÃ, in other emboclrments, t1io Ãnc~rnbrani' is, made from any elasromi.'r or rttbber, inclridin~f, bÃ.Ãt iiot liinited to, silicone, Ã.Ãreffiane, mtrÃle, :E1'DM or any otlier rubberõ
~.~fastort~er or f~exibl~.~ r~~iteri.a.l_ The shape of the merÃibr{zne is (1ependent oii rÃiÃ.ÃI.t.iple variables. These variables i~iclr7di:., bttt are not limited to: the shape of the chamber; the size of the charfiber; tl-ic st.ibject -fluid characterÃstics4 tl.Ãc voltame of subjecà -fluirl pumped per stroke;
and the riicazis c).r ri:Ãotle oi'at:t:ac:hment ot'the nrem~.~rane to the hÃ~~ttsing. The size of the membrane is dependent oti multiple variables. These variables include, btÃt are not liti-iitet{ to:
Ãhe,~ stl4l?e of the chaniber; the size of the cIicui3ber; the sul.i ject fliricl characteristics; the vs~luriie of sul~ject 1.0 fluitl ptÃmpod per st.rÃ.gl:e; and the rneans or t>iotle of'att:achaÃ:lenf: of'tt.te aÃternbrarÃe to t.h~.Y
hoasing. 'Thus, depetÃclit7g oti these or otIie.r variables, tlie. sliape and size oftkÃe ÃiiembraÃÃe MaY varv in various e:mbodiments.
The meÃ.nbrar~e can 1-iave ar-iv tb.iclcr.le5& 1-fowever. iII some embodiments. the rarÃa;~pe of thickness is bezween.0021 inches tcÃ. 1.25 inches. Deperidirig oii the xia.aterial used for the 1.5 membrane, tlie dotiired t:hich.ness may vary. In oi.1~ embodiment, high elongation silicone is used Ma thickilessra.tving from .015 Ãaiclies to .050iÃiches. However i.Ã-iotlier ~.~mboei:imea-its, the thickness may vary.
In the exemplary embodiment, the membzane is p.Ã-e-formed to include a sLrbstan.tially clome-sbape in, at least part of the ar~,~a of the membrane.
Onc,~ embodirneÃrt of 20 the dome-shaped membrane is shown in F[G. 4:E a.Ãid 4F. Again, tl-ae dii3ieÃls.icÃ-ÃÃs of the clome may vary based oÃa sorÃic, or more tÃf't~ie variables described al~ove.
However, iÃi other emboclci.Ãirecits, the r-iioml':~.r<iiie r-iiay not inclur3e a pre-foraiÃed daiia.e shape.
In the exemplary cr~~~odimeriÃ, the mÃ:.Ã~ibraiie don-ic is torr~-ieci using liqttid itljec:tioti niol.cling. However, iÃ~ OttÃer eaxtbocl.ir.nerÃts, the tloÃ-ne may be torrÃxed by using compression "."? molding. Iri atter~iate embod.imerits, the Ã-iieri-ibrarieis substantially :[lat. Ili other embodiments, the doÃne sÃzc, witl[h or heigtlt inay vary.
fn various eriibodimeiits, tlie menrtira.ne ri-iav be held i.n place by -vari.otÃs means aiid nrethods, l.n oÃ-io enrbcÃdinreÃat.r th~.~ membrane is clanÃpud. bet.weerà the portions of the ra4sette, arzd ilà S101TIC O.fi IhCSe e:irÃbotl.iiz~ent;;, the.rir.r~ of the cassette rÃiiÃv McftÃde features to 30 grab ttic meml.~srarie. In others of this embodim~.tnt., ttii mci3ibrane is clamped to the cassette using at least orac bolt or another device. 111 aziot:k~er e.Ãnborli.Ãnent, the mcii-ibrarie is over-molded with a piece of plastic and theÃi tbe plastic is welded or otherwise attached to the ca.s3ette. In aÃiot.lier enil,.~oclinaerit, the nierrtbrarle is pinched bÃ.Ytweeii. tfÃe aitiÃi plate described with respect to :ftI<=iS. 1A ancl. 1B and the bott:c?rn plate. Although some embodimerits for att;Ãc(u-nent of the Ã-nernI3r~ne to the cassette are described., t~~ly methoct or ~~ieRkÃ-is for attaching the memtiraÃ.,e to tl-ze cassette can be iÃsed. The membrane, in one alÃenÃate embodiment, is, at[acfZ~.~d dircctlv to one port.ion. o.l'thÃ.Y cassuÃi:Ã.Y.
In 5oniu embodiments, the nien-ibrane is thicke.r at the edge, where -he ÃnernbÃ-tine is pinched by the plaws, t:E7an.in otheÃ-areas of the membrane. In some einbc.~ciiments, this tllic,ker area is a gasket, in sox~~e eÃnbodiÃ-nerzÃs an O-r.Hiwr, .riÃig or c-iny oÃbor sliapeci ~Faskef..
ReferrÃng again Ãc? 6A-6.~- oÃic en-ibÃadiment of the membr<aiie is shownwiÃh two ,askets 62. 64. In some of these embodiments, the gaskt.t(s" 62, 64 pr~yvities the attachment fFoittt of tlre mi.'r~~bi-alre io tlle cassette. In other embodiments. the men-ibrane irielLÃdev r-ziore than two (,askets.
1.0 M~.`rnbr,tnes witb one gasket aro alsci i~icltÃdetl M. some embodiments (see FIGS. 4A-4--D).
I:n soÃne ctiibodzciieÃ-ats of the cask:et, tlie, gasket is conii~-1Ãous wit?i tlle me.Ã11b.ta:Ãle.
However, in other embodiments, the gasket is a separate pai-t of tlio membaane. Ixi:~~~~~~
embodiments, the timsket is rnade from the sari-~e material as the membraÃ-Ãc.
flowever, in other embodiments, the gasket is made of a material ditf'erent fÃ-orii the mernlarane. In some 1.5 embodi.rÃ~ents, the gasket 1s .fio.r.med by over-rrioldi~~g a.Ã-ing around -Ãfre meii-alararre. The gasket cari be any shape riia4 or seal desired 1f? as to canipl.ement ttie pod ptÃmp housing ~.~mboelimea-it. l:n some embodiments, the gasket is a compressiorl type ga<'ket..
1 ,7 Mi:Y.iÃ~o Pods '0 Some embodiments of the cassette include a riiixitig pod. A mixing pod includes a cfaaÃ.Ã:tber foà n.Ãixirtg. irt :;nr.a:Ãe er.a:tbod.itt-ter:Ãts, the mixi.rig pod is a flexible sÃractrrz-e, and in some embodiments, at least a secÃiori of the mÃxintw pod is a flexible strLÃcttÃre. l,h~ inixing pod cata include a ~ea1, sticta as ari o-ring, or a mc.Y1nbÃ~anu_ The anixirig pod can bet:tny sli:;tp~.a desired. i:n tl~~ exemplary eÃnbodin.7ent, tl~e mix-i.no pod is similar to a pod pump except it 25 does not include a mer:f-Ãbrane;:rÃad does ~iot iÃicIÃ,tde an actuatiort port. SoÃ-ii4 eÃ-iibodim4ntis of tllis embodiment of the tiiixÃaig pod i'iclude aÃi o-.Ã-i.ag seal to seal ttie mÃx:itb~;pod cha:Ãnber.
ThÃ.Ã4: in the exemp1ary- embodimeiit: tbe. unixing pod isa splxc~ricdl 1ioliow pod witha. fli:Ãid inlet and a flitid autl.a As wiÃb -1-ie pod ptÃ.Ãups, the chamber size car:Ãbe any size desired.
> Pressure Pump Ae.tÃaaÃic~~~ SysteÃii.
}0 RE:f.. 7 is a sebematic sl.aow7n4p fiai eÃnboclim.c:.nà of a f3rCssUre actuation systeÃl.à that may be used to actuate a pod.prÃ.mp with botii positive and iiegative pÃ'essLÃre, sucli as ttie pod ptÃri-ip shown in FIG. IA. The pressure actÃÃatioÃ~ system is capable caI'itit~.'rmztteÃ-Ãtlv or alternately providing pcasiÃi.veand y-iegaÃive pressurizations to ti-ac gas Iri the achÃ.ation cfa.arÃiber of the po(l f,~~~rnp. However, M sogne embodii3:ients, FIG. 7 t3'c)es zÃoà apply ir.à Ã.he.se e~~~odirricnts, actuation of the pod pump is ai.c:caiiiplisllec1by applviiig positive pressure arid vent to atmospl-iere (again, nca-t showni~i FiG. 7). 'i~`1ie pod pump -------the flexible rnerribrane, the inlet, the oLttle[, tl~e pnc.~urwat:ic porÃ:, thÃ.Y
purnp.ittg chamber, the actuation c.hairiber, and possibly incltÃ.din.gan i.ti.lc.i check vzilve andar:~ outlet check valve or oÃlier valves ------ is part of a larger disposable system. The pneurnatic actuation system------iriClirdiazg ari aci~~iation.-c.haniberpresstrre irat~sd ticCr RI pOSitiVe-sUpply . valve, a ns sLIPP1V valve, a positive sPress EÃ:ri gas reservoir, a ncg ative ypresstÃrc gas reservoir, a pt.~sitÃve-.
pres<s ua-e-r~,~servoir press-tire transducer, a rlt:gaÃ.ive,~-prcsstzre-t-ese,'rvoir preswure transe~;uc.er, as well as aii clectro-nic controller including, iÃi sonie eraibodinients, a user intertac.e ccitisole 1.0 (such as a toÃtcIi-jaanel. screen) - ni.ay be pat't of a base [7:[7.it-Th~ positive-pre>sVire reservoir pzovÃdes to the actuation chamber the positive pressurization ral=='a control gas to tir;.ye the znembrane towards apositioti where the pumping c:hamber is at its imniinum vol.urne (i.e , t:(-zc posiÃ:ini.l where the membratae is r~gair-i5t the rigid p~~~~ipinM-cl~amiaer wall). The riegativeapressure reservoir provides to the actriatiori 1.5 cha.~~~iber tl-ie cic:gati~~e pressurization o#`the control gas to urge the iraembran:e i.ra the opposite direct:ioti, t.c?wa.rds a positica~i where the pumpino c.liamber is at its maximuln voluraie (i.e., the positio-i where the nwm~.~raaie is aggszinst the rigi(i actuation-chamber wall).
A valving mechani>in is used to control fluid cnmmtixi.Ãcat.Ãoxi betweeii each of these r~~sen,~oirs and the ac.twation chamber. As shown in FICa, 7, a. separate valve is use.d. for each 20 of the reservoirs; aposiÃive-si:ipply valve c:ontrols fluid commuzi.Ãcatiozi between tkie positive-pressure reservoir and Ãlre, actuatioÃa chamber, and a negitÃve¾supply valve. controls i=l .i~ com.nirinic:ation between the r~egatÃve-pre5qurc rese.Ã-vni.Ã- and the actuation c.haz3:iber.
These twc.~ vaIves are controlled by t1ie c:Ã~~iitroller. Alternatively, a aitis:lc three-way valve rnay be ir5ed i.n lieu of the two separate valves. The valves trflay be bi.aar3= c?ai-off valves or ~_ .
~ u~ar~ia blc-resi:rtctÃc?n valves.
:?

The controller also reccives pres;tire irlfori-nat:ion 1i-om. t:lie three pressure trii-tisdtic:ers, an actuai.ion rcc~~amber pressure tr.~isducer, a posiÃ_.ivcrpresstire-reservo.ir pre3:sure transdtic~.~r9 atZd a ~~c~~~tti.~ ~-~rc~st~t c-~ cscYrz L}ir prus5tzre transducer. As their MIrt~~.Ys Sir;=i~'c.'St, these iransduc.er', respectively ~.~~.1easure the pt-c.ssu.Ã`e i.n the ac_tuaÃ.ion. t;hanibsd..Ã-, the 30 po-sitiv~.~-pressure reservoir, aiid th~.~ nega.tive-pressttre reservoir.
The actuation-chamber-pressure transducer is located in a base Laiiit btat is iii, fl-Ltitl conimianicatic?n with the acttaatiora chwiiber tlirorigh the pod pump pnetimatic port:. TIa.e c~.~titroller moiiitors the taressrire in the t~'vo reservoirs to olZsLtre t~~~ev aro properly prc.Yssti-rired (either positively or ncgatively). .I:a one exemplary embodiment, the pC?s1tive-preSsure reservoir may be 1-ii:3111ta1:t7.e(i. iEt around 750~~im11G; w1-ii1e the rtegative-laress Lire reservoir mav be mai.Ã-itairaecl at arouÃid -450mm:1-1C.1.
St:iil. referring to FIG_ 71 a comlare;sor-tt ~e paanp or pt:trnp5 (~~iot.
,1ifawn) :ir.iav be t,sed tt) nia.incain the desired press~ires in i-l.iese reservoirs. For eaaniple, two iaadependent.

cotT3prt;ssOrs may be used to respectively service the reservoirs. Pressure in the reservoirs riiay be nialz~~geti using a sunple bang-ban4g c.otitz'ol technique M wliich the t;ori-1pressor servicing the positive-presst:tre reservoir is ttÃmeel on if the pFcsstÃ_re, ill the reservoir fall~
below zi predeterÃiiiiied ttlresbolcl artci the compressor servic;irig th4 ne~,Fativi.~-pri.~sstire reserti-oir is tiEmed ort if the pressure in, t:(ie reservoir is above a pree1etermizied tliresliold.
1.0 The aÃ~iotinà of'hyst.erosis iii:~iy be the same for both reservoirs or a~.tr:ty b~.~ difilerent:. Tighter cotztrol. of the presstare in the reservoirs can l~~ achieved bv r~ducine, the size o'~`tkie hysteresis band, although this will generally resLilt in hial~er cycling frequencies of the compressors. If very tigbt coy-it.rcfl o.f't(-ie reservoir pressures is reqtiired or otherwi.se desirable for a particular application, t:lie, ban g-1~ang t:ecla.niclrae could be replaced wÃtl~ aP:[ D
1.5 control ieel-Miclue ar-id couIcl Ãise PW:Nl signals on the compressors.
The messure provided bv the posit.iveõpress~~ire reservoir is preferalilv st_rotio er.iotic, :11 - ta nder r#orcnal. conditions ----- to urg~.~ i(xc rriembrano all the way against the rigid pusi-ipii-tg-cltantber wall. SÃtttilarly, the negative pressure, (i.e., the vas:.urtt-ti.) provided by tlie negative-pressure reservoir is preferably strosig enotrgh --- under tiorma1 coiiclitii~lis ---- to ttrg~.~ the 20 met-ztbt-a.tre all the wa~ against the a.ctuatiori-cl inber wal:l. In a further preferred emi~odirtrent,1~~~~~~ever, these, positive and negative presstires 1?rovÃded.by the, reservoirs are W-it11.ia1 szi.fe enough 1fly-li.t:s that evert w:itt-i either the po::itive-,upply d~zilve or the ne-ative-supply valve open all tlic way, the positive or ~iegative pressLi:re applied algainst the r~~~ernbraz~e is nut so st.ron;l as to tlfti-~iage the 13nci 13-Limp or create unsafe iltiid press-ures (e.g.z "."? tl-iat iiiavliiirm a patietii receivinptiriipetl blood or other fluicl).

It will be 4ata.pr~.~ciated that ot.li.or types of actuation systems anr:ty bc.~ t,se-tl to niov~.Y tl>le mernbrane back a.ndfortii irrsteal of the Ãwo-resen.-oir pr~eurrtat:ic act~jzit:i~i-i s4=stem showni1.1 F1G. 7, aIthotiglt a two-rcservc?ir prieu_s-nati.c actuation sysÃem is generally preferred. For exaiizple, alternative P1r~::tt.11"I'MiC actuation syst~nis.may include cither a siziglc posit.Ãve--30 pressur~.~ reservoir or a sing1e r~~gative-pressuri reseRoir alolig withit singIe atipply vÃ-al~~e and a single tat7k. pres4Lire serr5o.r,particul.arly in combination 4vit.li a resiliet-it ii-~ernbrarte.
Such ptteurtratic actuation wstez3is ~~~av niterm.it.tentlv t?rovÃde either a positive p gas pressure Or a flegtkt.ive ~,~~.s ~~r~.sst~.~~c to the a~~i-tiati~~ii.
c:l'~<~i~i.l~c.Y~~ ol~tl~Ã.Yj~txi.~a~L,a~:tp. Itt c.~t~~~~t~tlit~~~.alits Iravirig a s.iri-[e positivercpresstire reservoar, the ptunp ri-iav be operated by in.termi.ttent1y providing pcasitive g~:ta pressttre to the actuation c:.~amber-, c:at:tsirig the ri-ie.t-iibrs~iie to move Ãowxird fI-te ptamp.iniw chamber wall arrd expel the contents of t:lte pumping chamber, and releasing tht.~ -as pressurer causing the membrarte to rt:ttr:rii to its relaxed powiticrtt and draw fluid inÃES the ptr.iirpiÃrg ckt<arribe.r. In erribodirtr.c..Ãr.Ãs having a siarglc negaÃi~~e-presst.tre re.serrt:~oir, the ptu-np may be operated by ÃiiÃ.en3-iiÃtenÃ1y providi~ig rregaÃrve gas presst.tre to the actuation c.lzrrnrber, cfat.ts.irtg the r.nerribrarte. Ão.Ãxrove: toward Ãhe acttrati.orr c.lrttrnber wrt1.1 and draw fluid into the pumping cban1ber; and releasing the gas pressttre, causing the membrane to rettÃrti to its rela.ecf positlorr and expel fluid f~-om the pun~pzng clramber.

3. Fltrid F[acid(lr-ig As sIiowti. and described witlr respect to k''IGS. 21A-2D, a t~.itit.-1 valve izr tlle exemplary embodiment consists of a small chamber with a flexible membrane or xiiem1?Ã-atle across eli.e ce:tlt.er diviclitig the chamber into a fluid 1rKilt'z3rlri a praetrmat-ic haI-f` I'lie t`I.tlid valve: :irt the exemplary embodiment, ha:, 3 entz'y./exit ports, nvo ori the fluid half of the cltrr.rrrber and otte the pneumatic half'of the ck.lari-fber. The port oir.
the p.tr:etrt-rratic half o.t'Ãtae ehatirber cat-t sttpply eitlier positive presstrre or vac.ut:tm. (or rather than vacuum, in some ~.~rriboef:imea-iis, there is a vent tovttmosp}rere1 to the cllartiber. When a vacuum is applied to Ãlle pneumatic portion of the cliaÃirbe:t-, the me:mbnane is pulled towards the pzreumatic, side of'the chartiher, clearing the fluid pztt1i and allowing fhtid to flow it-IÃ:o arid crttà ot'Ãl-te fltricl side of the chamber. W'I-aeÃ-a positive pressure is applied to the pneuma:iit.
portion of tl3e chamber, the menibrane is 13tislr.ed towards the filtiid side of the chamber, blocking the flt.tiel path and p.revecitirzg -flzrid Ilow. In t1:te vo(caito vtilve embodimer.tÃ.
(as shcrw.Ãr. in FIt_;S. 'A-~B) on c.~tie uf'Ãhe. flÃtitl pc.~rÃ:s, that port seals off first wlrerr closirig the valve allcl the ?'~ rerriairider of ativ flLticl irr tl-tc valveis expelled flr.rou~;~k.l the port without the volcano feature.
{1eldii:lorra1ly, i.t-i c?tre erirbor3:i.t-r3etit of the valves, slloi%,rr izr FIG, 2D, Ã:kle raised teat-tire bt;tA.vt;en the two ports allows for Ãhe tticrnbt~ane to seal the t.~~~tr pcjrÃ:5 -t:rcarri Gxtclt other earlier in f1-te racttiat:iorr stroke (i_e., beffire t[ie mertrb.rarle seals the porls c.~ixet;t:1y}.

Ref:errirrgagai:ta tca FfG. 7, pressure valves are trsÃ.Ytf to operate the pur'rips located a.t drls'ete.iià points in the flow patlr. This arc.lr.iÃ.c.c.tttr-e supports pressure control by Ltsirrg twt) variable-orif'ice valves atid a presst.tre setrsor at each pttrrlp chamber which requires pressure coa7i:rolt ir~ ~ra~ er~tk3~~iir~t~ttt, t~tt~ ~ ~tl~>e is e~rrrte~tec~ ~~ ~~
hi~Yh-l~r~sst:flre ss~t.~rc~ ~tr~cl Ãlr:e ~Ãka~r valve is connected to a low-pressure sitik. A high-speed control loop ria.oriiÃors the pressure serisor atZd cortÃrtrls the val.vc faositiorts to g-n,tirtt.a.M. the necessary pressure iar t.ht.~ ptr:rnp chamber.
~1 f'Ã`esstÃr~~ sensons are useci to monitor presstÃri' in the pneumatic portion of the cl~iami~ers thcÃnselves. 1:3y alternating between positive p-ressÃ:are ziiid vacuum ozi the pn.crÃ:rnatic si(ie of the ch~~rnber, the mertÃbr-arÃe is cyclud bat:k and forth across t.h~.~ total c.hainber volttÃ3ie. Witb eac.l~ cyclc, filiÃid is drawn through the Ã.ÃpstretÃrÃ-1 valve of tl.Ãe iiilet fluitf port when the pnetrmatics pull a vet:ctittm on the pocf.S. Tlic fluid is then subseqtÃe.ntl~, expelled througjà the cniil.et ps}Y-i aÃÃcf t1~c downstTt:am. valve when the pneiarixatics clefÃ~~er positive preS~~ue tt.~ the pt.~tis.
In man.v embodiments pres4tire laLÃti1~~s ccarÃsist of a pair of c.hk~~~iber&
W1Ãezt the two chanibei-s are ruii 180 Ã1eg-rces oÃ:Ãt c?t phase from one aTiother ttle flow is essentially 1.0 c: oTÃti tl'tious.

4. Vol'Ã-me Measurement These flow rates in thc cassette are cotitrol.lc.Yd using Prus5urc ~.~rod Pumps Avlui:h c:azÃ
l5 detect etid-o-t sÃi-okc. Aii catiter cc?iiÃ:zc?:[ lool3 deÃer~i-ii.nes t:llc coff ect: pressure valÃ:tes to deliver the rcqtiiroti flÃ:gw. PrcsstÃro pumps can rtÃ_Ãi an end oi'stroku algoi-iÃhin to (3~.at:~.~cà wl=t~.ait each stroke compieÃes. While the i-iiemb:=aiie is movina, the measured pressure in.
the c:.hambeÃ-t.racks a tl.esired siiittsoitial prc..ssÃare. WheÃi the membrane contacts a chamber wall, the pressure becomes coÃist<aÃ-it, rÃcà lon.ge.r tracking the sinusoid. 'I'l.Ãfls cl-BaÃ-Ãge in the far-essÃire 20 signal is used tca detect when tho, stroke has etrded. i.e., the end9of-strol<;e.
The pressure pumps have a kr-iowÃ:Ã voltiii:ie. 17hus, atj erad of stloke indicates a kÃiowti vc?lunie of fluid is in the c1~amber. 'I'htis, using the end-of-stroke, fluid flow may be controlled usittg rat:o equatirig to voltÃ_Ã-tre.
As described above in Ã~ioÃ-e detail, FMS iiiay beused to deterttxine f(ie volume of 25 fluid pttmpet.l by the metcriiig pEti-nps. In ~~~~e, embodiments, the metering f?un~p may ptrziip fli-iid without using the, FNIiS volÃ.rÃne measurement sy%tent, however.. M
the exemplary embodiments, the FMS -,,'oltime measurement system is t~ser.i to ca'IcÃ.Ãlatc, the exact vo1umc.
of fliiiei punipeti.

:30 5, 1:;:xerÃiplary Erributiiment ot`fhe Mixing C"a~,.~.,ette .I,he ternis inlet at3d outlet as well as first f'(uÃd, ses .ondf'lu.id, third f'uid, azid the nt.imfaer designations given to valving paths (i.c, "fir.st valving path") arc,~ utsc,'cl for description purposes oiilv. IÃi other embodiments, an.inlet caÃx be aÃx outlet, as weIl., an int3:icationof a first, sGcond, third I-Itiict does not tlerÃote ttlÃ.-t they are different tltr.id:Ã or are ii3 ??

a panÃGu(ar hÃerarchy.`l==~hE' denotations simply ri'ter to separiaie entrance areas into th~.' cassette a~~id the first, seew,d, third, ete, fluids ma:y be different fluids or the sarne fluid ty-pes or coÃ~ipositi.on or two oi- more iiZa~~ be the sanic. Likewise, t:lie des,igni.ati.cjr.t of Ãlt~.a first:, seccsncl, third, etc. valving paths (~.i) i3z~t 1~a~~~. a~-~y particular tr~~:~~~.Ãxi.Ãi,g, la~it are ti:~~:c:l forr clearness of descriptic.`~n.
The des.irnalioil;s ;Fi.~~en.{o.r ihefiltiid isilets (which can also be fluid outlets},. R).r exampIe, first fltiid c.`it:ttlet, second fltiid otatlet, merely indicate that a fltiid may travel out of or Frito th~,' casSett~,' via that ~iil~,'t/outl~,'t. In seiir$e, cczses, inUre, t1ian oiie,' ~rtli.'t<'out.li.'i oi} tlre schernatic is designated wiÃ:ll Gui identical ziame. This merely describes tiat all of the 1.0 inlet;'otitlots bavinL= that designation are pL3mpetl by the sam~.Y
metering put'ap or set of pca(l punips (wiiiclt in alternate enibodin.7enÃs, can be a single pod pLi:ilip).
Referri.agnow to F1G 8, an exemplary embodiment ot-tlie fltiid scI~~inatic. of the cassette 800 is s iowti. Otber sckiematic:s are readily di5cemalal.e. 'I'1.~e cassette 800 includes at least one pod pump 828, 820 wid at least cvne mixing chamber 818. "I'lie cassette 800 also 1.5 includes a f.~.rst .{laicl i.nlet 810, wl~ere a first fluid ent.ers the cassette. The l:'=`ir5t 1ltrid includes afi'(o~.~~ rate provided bv one of the at least one pod pump 820, 828 in tht cassette 800. The cassette 800 also includes a first fltiid cgutlet S24 where fltiid exits tl-te cassette 800 having <i.
flow rate 1irovided by ai.~e of the at least one pod punip 820, 828. 'I'lte cassette 800 i..Ãt:cludes, at least one m~,~terina fluid line 812, 814, 816 that is in tlttiel.
ccaiir~ect.i~~i with the first fluitl.
20 ouil.et. `I`iie cassette also iraclueles at least oneseeond t`lrtid inlet 826 wl~ere the secon. ci f'itiel enters tlie cassette 800. In sc~~~~~ embodimeÃats of the cassette 800 a titiacl fluid izilet 825 is also itzcitidecl.
Metering puriips 822, 830 pump the sec:,otitl fltyFCI. a.iicl tlic third fltiid into the first fluid otitlet liiie. 'i;'he;;econtl flu.id ftrirl, in sorne ernbodi.nients, the third fluid, c,c?nii:ecteci to "5 tl-ie cassette 800 at the seco.nd fltiid i.t-ilet 826,a~rld third fluid iFilet 825 zesl~ectivelv, are each fluidly connected to a metering pt~rnp 822, 830 and to the first:l-ltiid outlet .liric through a ~~~eterin4~ fluid l.ir~e 842, 814, 816. `I'he metering, pui;ips 822, 830, ciescribecl it-i more detail below, iÃi the c.xernl.alaÃ-y embodiment, ini.lu~.lc:. a volume rneast:trem:unt capacity sttcli th;:tt tl>le vol-un-ic of -fluid purnpe41 by the mett::ritiu.; 1~.kumps 822, 830 is readily discernable.
30 The mixirtig chamber 818 is coniiec;ted to tlio first tIriid otatl~'t line 824 and includesa.
fliaid inlet and a flu.id n-Litlet:. I:1.1 sonie ernbodiri-wat,, setisors are locateti iipsÃF-eari-l and ~ownstrea:ni froiii the m:ixiji:;- chamber 81.8. The location of tl~~ sensors in the exemlalarg, t.rnbodinient aro s1Zowri a:tatl closcrib~.~cl below with respect to 1='1GS.
14C, 141"3 and F(CsS.
3 5B and 1:?C;.
~ .~.

The cass~,~tte 800 is capable of internally mixii1g a. solution ma-dc up of at I~.~zist two components. 'I"he cassette 800 also iiic:"(tidcs the capal3i Lity of constituting apowdcr to a fluid prior to pumping the fluid into tb~.~ n$ixir~g cl-ianibcr. These c.apab-iIiÃ-:ics w.iil be described in greater detail below.
Various valves 832-860 iinpart the various c<~pabilities r.it the cassette 800. The components Ol" the c.iisSeÃtc: 800 I-lifry be use~i.! c-liff~c::rentl.y.iri the di-f fereÃià enxbodinienÃs based t~~l various valvÃlw controls.
The flaid schematic of the cassette 800 shoavn in FIG. ;~ rnay be i.'~~ibodieti iztto o~atic?ui s cassette apparai~~~. Thus, the embodiments c~~~t:l~.e ~;~assct-~e 800 including i~~ef(uid 1.0 3chcÃt-iaÃ.ic ;bowi-i in R& 4arc riot the only ca5scÃte embsat3iment.s that may inc:orporat:c this or aaialÃerna:te cnibodzc~~enà of this fluid schematic. Additiona(1y, t?ie types ot,va1ves, the ganging of tlie valves, f1ie number of pumps and chambers may vary in various cassette embodiments of Ãh.is fl-Lii~~ schematic.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a t'1uid. tlow-patti schematic 800 is stlnw~l witll the fluid 1.5 pat:Eis indic:ated based on different valviii- I~oN~, path5. The ftii.id flow-path scheÃnatie 800 is described herein corresponding to Ãl~e va1v.ii3 , flow paths i.Ãi. ~~~e embodi.Ãx~etrt of t}.ie cazsette.
Th~.~ exemplary embodin-wnt of the rtiidplaÃ.e 900 of the cassette are shown in FICS. 10 witl-i Ãlle valves itidicatcd corr~spoaÃelizig to the respective fluid tlow-path schemat.ic 800 in l~I~.~S.
8. For t(ic~ purposes of t1io description, t(xu flttid flow paths will be ct~~scribeci based uil the 20 valvizig. 'Thc term "valving pat:Ei ' refers to a t'tu.Ãd patti that may, in some embodiments, be available based on the cotitrol of particular valves. The corresponding t'ltiid side sttucturey ot'FI:Ef_ 10 are RIznwn.in FIC:i=S_ 12.A.
Referring now to FIG:$. S and 10 tlic first valvi,i1~ paÃli includes valves 858. SW
This vaivit~g path 8,558, 864 iri.c.:(udcs the nictcrir.~~ fluid line 812, which cot-iriec.Ãs -tn the "5 scc~o-tid tlrtid 'iilet 826. ;1S Shc?wri iti tlaese FIGS., i11 some embodimclit~ of Ã_lic CassctÃc, there are Ã~~~~~ seconcl fluid inlets 826~ Iai ~.-~racÃicc.Y, thcsÃ.Y nvo second fluid iri.let.s 826 4.t:tr.~ be e,otiz-iected to the same flu.id sc?u.rce or a different fltiid source. Either wziy. the ~~ime .(Ytiid or a different fltiid r~~iy be connected to each second fluid iril.Ã.YÃ 826. Each second fl.t:tid ir.~lc:.Ã
826 is connected to a dif-Tireni meteriiig fltti.d line 812, 514.
30 The first of the two meterilig fluid lines ioniioi;tcd to th~.~ ~econd fluid inle.t. 826 isas fc)ifows. When valve 858 operi.s aiid valve 860 is closed azid nwÃerflnr pini-Bp 822 is actuated, fluid is dra-vvii trcarn the scc.onel. flrtid inlet 826 and itiÃo mcteriÃi4#
fltiid line 812. When valve 860 is opeii and valve 8,5N is closc tl:==. and t:l$c metering ~.~i.im~.~ 822 is actuated, sGcoaid f1-Llid contiz-uies on mcÃc.rim, fluid lii~e 812 into pod ptimp 82W

Reforr-iirg now to the second valving pat11 iiictÃtÃ1ii1g va1vÃ; 842t when va1v~.~ 842 is opett wicl.pocl. pLtmp 820 is actuated, #luid is piÃmpeÃl from pod pump 820 to Ã?zle ~.-~l'tlle tliiÃ'Ã1 fltfli(1 inlet 825. hi ono crriboÃlim~.`nt;, this valvi~ig path is provided to send IiÃluiÃi iaito a C011taineÃ- or source connected to third t`iiÃiil inlet 825.
Referring now to the tliirÃ1 valving path itit:lty.ding valves 832 aiid 836 this valvin.;
path 832, 835 in.Ã:.ludÃ:s the mÃ:te.t-ia3g tlxiiÃi line 816, which connects tÃa the third flÃiiÃ1 iiilÃ:t 825. As sbov,n in these l;''IGS., in some c:mbodimetits of the cassette, there are trvo tliirtl fluid inlets 825. In praclit::e, these two third ilLiiÃ1 iDlets 825 ~~~~ be c.oiiiiec:tÃ:Ã1 t:o t1le s.-~lliÃ:
flÃiid soÃirce or a different tlitiÃ1 source. Either way, tlie same:[1ui~.~ or a different fluid may 1.0 be codZtiectetl to each third ~-Iiiid iaiIÃ:t: 825. FaL.ti third flaicl inlet 825 is ioriaiGÃ:t.Ã.~d to a clitfer~iià meter.itig fluiÃ1 line 862, 868.
Wheri. valve 832 opens and valve 836 is c1oseÃI aiid metering lytaxia.l) 830 is aettiated.
fluid is drawn frntyl the third fluid izi:(et 825 and Mt:o ti-iet:ering f'1Ãiid line 830. Wl-ier-i valve 836 is opeii aÃiÃ1 valve 832 is closedarl~.~1 the moteritig pump 830 is actuated, tliirÃl 1'Yu:i~.~
1.5 contizlues on met.eri~~-, fluid (ir-ie 816.into first fluid outlet tilie 824.
Reterri.m; iiow to thefit?u.t'Ãb path, valve 846, wliezi valve 846 is, opet-t ar.id pod pu-np 82{) is actuated, #ltiiÃ$ is pti-nipeti from pod pump 820 to otxo Ã?l='t.lxe t1-tird t'(tii(l itrlet 825. In one emboÃliment., this valviirt-,. path is provided to send liquid iziÃo a c011iai.Ãie:t- or sotix-c~,~ cc~~~i-iecteci to thÃrÃ1 tlaiÃl inlet 825.
20 Referring ~~ow to the fifth valving path, when valve 850 opens at-1d pod punip 820 is actuated, fluid is pumpecl. into the cassette 800 tl~~~ougthe first t~.tiiÃ1Ãiilet 810, azicl zrito pod pump 820.
Referring now to the sixth valving patli, whe:~~i valve 838 is Ã~~enand pod 13rimp 820 is actuated, flriid is t~~LayipeÃ1 froni pod pUrr,rp 820 to theinFxi.ng chain1~er 818 and tc? the first ":? 1luiÃ1 outlet 824.

The ;c.vÃ:nth. valving path in.clt3dÃ`s valves 858, 856. This valving path 858, 856 includes f1-~~ ryieÃer.ing tlitiÃ1 lir~e 812, which c,c?n.necis ti) tIle second flu.Ãti inlet 826. As 3howtg in tbÃ.se 1TIGS_, in soti-io Ã:rri1,.3oÃlim nÃ-s oi't:he. Ã:asseÃtt:, there are two second flt:tid inlets 826. In practice, these two4ecoi3d fluld ir.ilets 826 can be connected the sa.ÃnÃ: f`IaÃd 30 sÃ.~tirc:e or a ditti'rent fluid soEÃ:rc.~.~. Either way, the samÃ.~ fluid or a ÃlitfÃ.'rÃ;iit tluiÃ1 may be eoa7necteÃI to eac}.i SecnnÃi: f`Iuid inlet 826. Each second -t'ltaid Fnl.et 826 is cc?nneeiecl to a different meteri:rig fluid line 8.12; 814.

Wheri. valve 858 op~.`ris and valve 856 is closed and rnetÃ:ri~~ig. purnp 822 :is actuated, 1luiÃ1.is cft-awnfrom tl-ie s~ecc?~id IlLiid izi:[et 826 and i~itÃ? ~i-icterFi-ig flirid liire 812. Wheri valve ih 856 is openanti valve 858 is closed, and the mÃ,'teriiig ptiiiip is actuated, seccanti tlttid continues oi-~ inetering fluic.~ linc 814ititca pod pÃtr:ti~~ 82&
ReI-t:rririÃ~ i-iÃaw to the eighth valvi~ig path, -valvÃ.Y 848.: whÃ:rt valve 848 is opÃ.Y:nt:tnÃi pod ptii-zip 828 is actuated, fluiÃi is _pteizapÃ:Ãf f:roaii pod pump 828 to oÃic Ãa.t"t.he third fluid i.nIet 825. In Ã.arie Ã:mbc,adiment, this valviiiiz path is provided to sÃ:iiÃi fluid/liquid into a container caa' SÃail.t-c.Ã: c.Ãan.nÃ;c.tÃ:d to t1ii.t-c.i flteid iialÃ:i 8:25.
keferriiis~ ~~ow to the iiiiith valving patli iticltzÃiii1g va1vÃ:. 844, ~.~hc:ll valve 844 is upexl and pod pcit.np 828 is actuated, fltiid is punapoti.ftoin pod p-ttti-ila 828 to ÃaitÃ: of the tltii-Ãi flt[id itiiet 825. In eanc enibodimctii, this vaIvi~ig path is prc>v.Ãdcd to sedid liquid ilit~.~ a container 1.0 or smr.rc.Ã: cÃan:nec:ted to t1-iia=d t1LaiÃt itale[ 825.
Referring ttow to the tejitli va1ving. patti, valve 948, when valve 848 is open atiÃ:t pod pump 828 is actÃiated, tluid is pu~~ip~d ftom pod pÃimp 828 to oiie ot-t}ie third fluid Ãiilet 825. :t.ai one embodiment, this valviit- ath is provided to send fluid/liquid iritÃ3 a s;rarzta.ir:~~~, or source connected to third fltiid itilet 825.
1.5 The eleventh valviii- patii.inclucii.n4.~ valves 854 aiid 856 is sf-acawii.. 'I`hi5 valviii4 path 854, 856 .includes tlie crieterif~9 tILaid fitie 814. wi-iich c.Ã?n_nects to tl-ie second fluid i.Ãi[et 826.
As shown iaa. these FIGS_, in scaaaic eraabÃadi.3-neaats taf t~e cassctte, there a.re two s4c;Ãaa-ad fluid itilets 826. 1n practice, these two second t:iuÃd -i~~lets 826 caÃy.be connected the satne fi'ltiid ~our-c~,~ or a different fluid sÃatirc:e. Either way, the same fILiici or a tlittc:rctit flt.tid may be 20 cotzrtectecà to each second fltiid iiilet 826. Each secondfluid inlet 826 is contiec.teÃ1 to a differeiit tnetering fluid line 812, 8:14.
The second Ãst'i}~e two ineteriz~g 1-1Li%d lines connected to tt-ie sec.o.Ãi:d I-1Ãaid iaiiet 826 is shown in FTG. 8. The twelfth valving path is as fo ilc.~ws. When va'1ve 854 capens aliÃi valve 856 is closed and frieteria;l pur~ip 822 is aÃ;Ã~~iated, fluiÃ1.is draivn.
.fro.in the second i:71.1iÃt itiiet "."? 826 and itit.o niet:ering tluid 1i.tie 814. When valve 856 i:s Ã?peti ar1c.~ vzilvc 854 is cl.osed and the rn~.~tc.ring punip, 822 is actuated, t:li< second fluid continues on niGtering tluid IiaaG 814 into pod pump 828.

Siaiulari~-,, the tbirtc~.`nth valving piit:1-i is siera when valve 854 ÃapÃ:r.ts ariÃi valve 860 is closed aDd a.a-ic.tt::r.ix~g pLar.np 822 is actuated, fluid is driiwn troni tl.ac sec.ondflxzid i.Ãflet 826 30 and into metering fltiid line 814. Wh~.'n valv~.~ 860 is c.~pca~ ~lid vaiz~~e, 854 is closed, and thÃ.~
nieLea-in"f purnp 822 is actuated, the secÃaiid -iltaid cont.iaxue;;
onnietering fluid iine 814 ittt:o pod pLimp 820, Reforriiig now to the fourteenth valvi~~ path inc:luding valve 852. When valve operis and pod laa:~rn1~ 828 is actuat:cd,17.uidis pwilped iiito the cassette 800 i1irouglr tlic first fltfli(l inlet 810, a~-id into pod ptim~.-~ 828, Referring iiow to the #.if.Ãc.enth valving path, wl.icri valvc; 840 open.
zaicl pod pturip 828 is actuated, tllÃid is ~.~t.tmpecl t'roin pod pump 828 to the mixiflig cliamber 818 itnd to the -first i=lttid ~autl.et 824. T1-ic sixteenth vfilvin~; path it~cl~~~~.i~~g =
ttlve 834, wbezi valve 834 i;~
open ttrrt.l va1ve 836 o~.~etis, anel- tlre n1cte.ring pr.in11) 830 is actuatc:ci, flriicl trom the tl3ird flt.tid inlet. 825 f1ci-ws oii iiteteri~~g fluid tirie 862 and to ~neteri~ig flrtitl litte 816.
In ti-ic c:ti~rnplaz~y 1'lLiid t`lcrwrpath embodiment shown in:FIG. 8, and corresp~.~nd:iMy.
1.0 str-tacture of t~ic cassette s1rowsa in FIG& 10, valves are opcn.
i.riÃ(ividua1ly. In the exemplary embodi~~~ent, the valves are pneurnatically opeti. Also, in tlie exemplan, embodiment, the fluid valves are volcano valves, as described in more detail in tliis specit~~cati~.~li, Re.ferTir-Ig Ã-~OW W:f"IC& l 1.A-1 113, the top plate 4.1.00 of ex.ernplar~~
embotÃimer.ii of tlie cassette is shown. 1Ãa the exemplary embodiment, tlre pod 1?ump. 820, 828 azlcl the 1.5 mixiar` c}~ani(3em 81.8 F~i-i the top p:[ate 1.100, are -l:or-i.ned in a :similzir fiashion. In the exemplary eÃ-ziliodi~iient; the pod pumps 820, 828 atid ni.Ãxi-ng chamber 818, wl-ieii asseraibl.ed witb the bottom plate, havea total volaime of capacity of 38ml. However, in otb4r ~inbodiinents, the mixing cI-aat-nber cati lia:ve a:tiy size vci(uÃiie desired.
Retorriirg r~ow to FTC-YS. 1 IB, the bottom view of the top plate 1100 is showir. Th~.~
20 fluid paths are shown in this view.Tltese t'(uÃd patlis correspond to the fluid paths shoe-vit in FIGS. 12:l-12B in the aii.dplate 1200. The top plate ].100and the top of the midplate 1200 1~orrn the 7iq-Liicl or .f1uicl slcle of the cassette ior the pod pwnps 820, 828 aticl for .ne 5ide of the tnixing charril~~er 818. ThEÃs, most ~.~i`-the liqEiid i7ow paths are cin the top 1100 a-t3d irlplate5 1200. Rcfierrin;l to FiG. 12:I3, the first t'(tiid i.ralet 810 and, thefirst fluid utlct 824 are s:llown.

Still referring to FIGS. .11 A antl 1 1 B, the pod pti:~~ips 820, 828 include a. groovc:. 1002 (in alternate ernboclinie.tits, this is a 4,~roove}. The g-roov-e 1002 is shoNNvri having a partiLul.ar 3ize aritl shape, lt<awevc:i-, in other iibodi~-nerit.5õ the size and shape of t.1~ic groove 1002 cÃtii t'e any size or shape desir<able. The size and shape shown in FIGS. I iA. and I lB is the 30 exemplary ciiil;aodinreiit. In all embodiments of the groovc 1002, the groove 1002 fonirs a pat:l:i between theflu.id inlet side and the fluid c?tat:let side o-t`t:he pod punips 820,. 82& hi alternate embodi~~~ents, the groove 1002 is a groove in the ititicr tyumpiÃr{.~ chamber wall of t:lic pod pr~t-iip_ 3i The groove 1002 provides afIriici path whereby whett. the, meri-ibraÃte is at the 4nd-ot-strciAe there is still a fluid path'laetweeri the irilet aiicl orrtlet srrs:.lx that the pocket,} of l'luid or air do not get trapped in t1-ic pod purnp. Thc.Y groovc.Y 1002 is includ:ud.
i.rr both, t.1~ie .tit.luitl/f7uid ln,.;.,,carne crabcadinients, the grc7ove.1.002 may also l..`~e inc Ittded in tlic Ãiiixi~ig ehcrÃiiber 818 (see FTCS. 13A-L"M witli respect to the actta,ttion'a.ir- side ot'the pod ptÃi-trps 820, 828 and the opposite si.de o.["the mi.xintg cliamber 818. In alt:i:_mate embodiments, tlic ~,?-roc.~ve, 1002 is either iiot iaiclucled or or3 c7nly one side of the pod ptriiips 820, 828.
In ai-r atterÃiate ernbc?diment of the cassette, the liqui~.l:'flu.Ãd side of the pod pumps 1.0 820, 828 rnay inclucl~ a feawro (raot sI:iown) whereby the inlet: s{rid or,tleà -tlow paths are continuous ~~id a t`i;lid outer ring (rtot shown) i%.mo(ded about the t:..Ã-reiri3afer~~~ice of the pumping chamber is also c.on.t-inrrous. 7I'his teatr:rre allows for theseal, toni1ed witli the F~~en:tbrane (not shown) to be maintairzed. I:.eferring to 1=1(_1 1 lEv, -t}-ie side o#`the exemplary e:ml=Socliniertt of the top plate, ~100 is sh~.~wri.
1.5 Ref:eff in.-õ ciow to FIGS. 12A-1213, the e:ceri-rplara= en-ilaodiiraent ofithe rnidplate 1200 is sliowtt. `Ã':1ie n2idplat.e J 200 is alst? 5hmv-n in. RG'S. 9A->9l'' and l.fIAn i tl:l~', where these F IC'aS. corresX3o".d with F 1G5. 12A-12B. Thtr.s, FICs`S. 9A-9F and 1i}A-1O:1;': indit:at~.~tl-ic locations of the vaa=ior:rs valvesattd valvÃzig paths. 'l'.he locations of the membranes (not shown) for the respective pod pumps 820, 828 as well as the location o#'ihe mzxi~-ig cban-tl_aer 20 S.IS are showrt.
Referri.n.g.now to FiGS. 12A, in the exemplary embodiment of the cassette, s~iisor elementsare incorporated irito t(ie casseÃte5o as to discez-ri various properties of'tl.re tlriicl beirig ptunpi:_d. In ~.~nr': embodiment, three seyi-sor cleiiietits are incluclecl. :1~owever, ir3 the eYerrzplar~~~ enibotlii-nent, six. serisar cIer3-rent; (two sets of three) rirrr inc:luded. `!l'1ie seztsor "5 elements a.t=e located in t1-ie seriscar ce:[l 1314, 13I.6. In this-embodimerit, aselisor cell. 1314, 1316 is iricltitled rts an area or-i the criSset#e for sc.Yiisor(s) eleniunÃs.
ln the ~.ax~.ar~ipl.ary embodimerit, the three ~enSCar eIemeiats of the t-~~,o se.Ãi:sor cells :1.314, 1:.~I6 zire horised in re;~~~ectpvo sensor eleni~.`r3tt h<3usingS 1,308. 131Ã}, 1.312 and 1318t 1320, 1322. In tl~;ie exenzplar'y s;iizbodil3ICDt, OVVO Ofi tl~~ sensor elements hous.inMxs 1308,1312 and 13.1.8, 1320 30 accommodate acoYidrrctivity sensor ~.'lemonts aiiti tlio tl-iird sensor elirr-ie:tits housing 1310, temperature sensor elements can be any cor~ductiv'aty, or temperature serisna elemerits iÃi the art.. In one c~t-iibodit-rierit, tl-ic conductivity sensors arÃ.Y
gr.xrph:it:Ã.Y post.s. Iri oÃliGr ~.~i-iibodimirits, tl-re conductivity sensor e_len-renÃs are posts made t'romsainless steel, titanziÃir1} platinum or aÃiy otbor niettÃl coated tc~ be c:or-rosion re4istant aitd still be electrically c:or-tcttÃt,iive. T1-ic condiÃctÃvÃty sensor eieÃ-iiezits wi1i include <iti electrical lead that trans.Ãnits the probe inibrÃnation to a controller or other device. In or.it~ embodiment, th~,Y
te~~~~eraturt.a serisor is a thert3-ustt:r potted in a stainless steel probe. However, in alternate enibodÃznent.s, a c,c.~Ã-nbiÃiatif.in temperature aÃ-id cotidt:rctiviÃy sei~sor clemetits is tysed similar to the one described M co-pt:ntiÃns; U.S. PaterÃi.Appli.cation eiititlt:.(i Sensor :~~lxÃr~:Ãt.rt;~ Syst~:i~:Ãs, Devic.esantl MeÃht.~tis filed October 12, 2007 (DE.KA-024X1), In aitt:rrÃzite t>mboil4rient4õ there are eitli~,~r Ã-ic~ seiisors M t.1-ie t:aSsOtte or oztly, a te~~iperatrire sensor, o-illv oÃ-ie or naoze coa~ductivi.q, sensors or otie or more of azloÃiier type o:i, 1.0 sensor.
Referring ttow to FIGS. 12C:'; the side vie", of the exemplary embodimettt of ti3e iiiidpiat.e 1200 is shown.
Rt?-ferTir-IM Ã-~OW W:f"I~_'rS. 1 3.A-1313. t.~ie bot.tom plate 1300 is shown.
:Reterriztg first to FIGS. 13A, the inner or inside ::sÃ.Eri`aw.e of the bottom plate 1300 is showÃi. The inner or 1.5 inside surface is the side Ãhat contacts the bot.tom. 5urf:ace of t:kÃemidplate (not showrÃ, see FIGS. 913). The bc?ttotti p:iate 1300 attaches to the air or actuation li-i.~~~ (not st.~owri). T(ie t:orrt.~4pon(ling entrance bolt.~s for the air that actuates the po(i pan-Ãps 820, 828 a:nd valves (not sliowit, see FiGS. tOA-10F) in the mÃdplate 1.300 cari be seeÃi. Holes 8.1Ø, 824 correspond to the first flaid inlet and first fluid outlet sIiowÃ:Ã Ãn. FIGS.
t2Bt 810, 824 20 re5pecttve:(y. `I`iie correspoÃ-adiÃ-t4D halves of the pod pumps $20õ 828 azid mixino chamber S1S are also shown, as are the grooves 1 002 for the fluid paths. Theactuation holes in the pumps a.re, also R}~owÃ-i. Unlike the ct~~) plate, the boÃinzi-i plate 1300 corresponding halves of the pud.ptÃnips 820, 828 aÃid mixing chamber 818 make apparent the difference betweeri tl~e pod g=ps 820. 828 Ã~~id mixing charxiber 8-18. '-I'i3e pod pLÃmps 820s 828 inchÃcie an "."? air/actuation path oti ttie bottom plate 1300, w1i.Ãle the mFxing, cbamber 818 lias identical construction to the half in the top plate. Thc.Y rrÃiling chamber 818 anixes Iiquid,:tritl tlierefc>re; does tiot: i.Ã-is:_ltic~e a merribrane (t7c?t showri) nor an ai.ÃiactuaÃ:ion pat_li. 'I'tre sensor cell 1314, 1316 with t1-ic three sensor elerne.Ynt housings 130RT 1310, 1312 and 13:18, 1320, 1.322 are also show~.Ã.

30 1ZeferriÃis~ ~~ow to FIGS. 13B, t~eactwation porta 1306 are s~iowti on the outside or outer btÃttoÃ-n. plate 1300. .1n. actuation soiarce is connected to these actuation ports 1306.
Again, tl~~ tnixing cl~amber 818 does Ãioà have an actLÃatioÃi port is it is aioà actuated by air.
Rt:ft.rrin;.~,@ t-t~ FIG. ~3)Cr a side r it.`w of [~ic exemplary embodiment ol`t.ho bottom plt:tt.~.Y 1300 is sliowrt.

5.1 MenibraÃi.es I:n the e:aeniplary erÃ3bodinient, the menxbrane is a gasket o-rirag ÃiieÃ~ibrziiÃe as shown in FIG. SA. t~~iwov~.~r, iÃi st3~~~e o~~iboditaierÃt:s, a <.~~o-~~iiis. ~
t~a~:tUl~r~Ã.a~.os having te~.t.tÃ:t~e, .. . gasket ..~ L
nicludigÃs~, bift Ã101 1Ãniited Ão, the variotas eÃribodi.Ãrients i.n FI:GS.
4l3,c?a 513-5:1:3 Ã~iav be tvsecl.
In still other eÃaibodiÃaients, the membranes shown in FIUS, 6A-6G may also be useÃ.l.
Referring ~iexi to FIGS. 1 4A and 14B, tl:Ãc assembled exemplary eÃnbociiÃnent of the cassette 1400 is sl~own. FIGS. 14C and 14I3 are a~i explod.cd view of the exemplary embodiment of tlie c:assettt. 1400. The nicÃi1brarÃes 1600 arc. 's13L}wn. As can be secÃ} 1iolri FIGS. 14' and 1 4D, there is oÃie Ãriernbrane 1602 for cacli of the pods pumps. hi tl~e 1.0 t.xeÃsZpl,try eÃnbotlirta~.`nt, the i-nembrane for the pod ptu~ips is identical. In alternate embodiments, aÃiv membrane Ãnay be tiseclõ an~1 c~~~e pod pu~~~p could LÃse o-Ãie embodiment of the membrane while the second pod pump caÃi tise a differeait embodiment of the meÃ.Ã:tbrar~~ (or each pod pÃtÃi3p can tise the saÃ-ne i-z~embrKizÃe).
"1,he various ~rnE7odÃ:anents of the membrane tÃsed. in the metering pumps 1604, in tlie 1.5 preferred embc>dim~y-it, are shown in more detail in l'1{_& 5E:.-51-1. The various embodiments of the metiibrasie Ãised in the v.alves I.2Z2 is shown in more detail. in FIGS.
2F-2G. However, in,Ã1.Ãernate embodiments, the metoring pun-Ãp membrane a.s well as the valve ÃzYembraues ciiay ccnat.ain textures for example, biÃt ziot limited to, the textures s13nwn.
on the pod purup membranes shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, 20 Otle embodimeri t of the coÃ7dÃ:zc:Civit~, sensor e (ements 13.145 1316 and the tempera:tÃire seÃisor e1~~~~ent 1310, which make tip the sensor Cell 1322, are also sliowÃl i11 'C1CI S . 14C ~i-id :1413. SÃ..ili re ferr-i.Ã:Ãc~ to F CttS. 14C and 14D, the -,e.Ã-Ãsoz-e Ienierzt.s z3xe 1-iotÃsed in scÃisor blocks (shown as 1314, 1316 in FIGS, -( 2B aÃ1c1 1:>A} whicli iflieltÃ:de areas oil tl-ic t]otti~~ii plate.1.300 aÃ-icl the niidpiate 1200. 0-rings seat the serBso.r housings -t:~-oin the fluid "5 lines located o-ii the Lipper side of the mid-plate 1200 and the in_ner side, ot`Ã1Ãe top plate :1.1.(3(1.
tlowe1~or, in other emboclimeÃ-it:s, an v-rin~,~ is trÃolt.lc.:~.l into t1-Lu sensor block or anv otlt~.ar.-~~~ethod of sealing caii be tised.

5.2 Cross Sectional V101N.'s MffrÃ.ug ~IOW ÃO ['1GS. 1SA--1 5C:`, various ~ Ã cass s~ ~~i.car:Ã~~1 views of the assembled 30 oassette are ~hown. Referring first to FlG. 15A, the meaaabranÃ;s 1602 are, sliown in a pod puÃ-Ãips 820, 82t3, As caii be seen.1;'rom the cross section, ilÃc o-rrng ol`-the meii-ibrayie 1602 is sandwiched by the midplate 1200 and. the bottom plate 1300. A valve membrane 1606 can aisc) be seem As discussed above, each valve includes .Ã muinba'sÃrÃe.

Reterring now to FIG. I 5B, t1io ta~~-o conductivity~ ~~~~~~~~~s 1308, 1312 ztiid the temperxizure seÃisor 1.310 are sliowii. As ca~~ be ~eeii t=rom the cross ~ecti~.~n. the setiso:rs 1:308, 1310, 13:1.2 aro in the fluid line 824. Thus, th~.a serisoi-s! 1:308, 1310, :13I2 ar~. in flaid COazz~ection with thelluid li~ie and can deÃernune sc:.n,.ior data of the fluid exitir.~g flind outlet (ins: 824. Still rc,terring to FIG. I513, a valve 836 cross sectaoti is sliown. As s'howti in this FfG., in the exei.nlalat-y er.nbt?c1.ir.nent, the valves are volcano vfilves si.r:Ãular tO the e~~~bodiment shown and described above with respect to FIG. 2B, However, as (iiscct~sed above, in alterrizite embocii.nient., otli~,~r valves zire used incl-uciing, bti.t ~~iot lzmiÃect, to those described arid showÃ~i above with respect tc) F1GI S. 2 A, 2C ;~~id 22:13.
1.0 Referring now to F1G. I.5C, the tNvo L.ont~.luct-vity serisor eltrnertts 1318, 1320 azid tlle temperature sensor elen3ent 1322 are shown. As can be seen from the cross section, tlle setisor elements 2318, 1.320, 13?2 are in the tlu..id lÃz~e. 824. Thus, tlio.
sexisor elements 1318, 1320, 1322 are in -f`Itiicl connection with t:(-ze fluid litie and czui be ~~~ed tf) determ.i1:le seyzti().r data of tlie #luid entering the mixing. cl~aniber (not shown in this figLit'e).
1.5 I"hus, in tl-ic exemplary embndimetit., the sen5or elements 4.3.18. 1320, 1322 are asecl to eollect data regarcling tl ziid being), pumped into tlie m.Ã1.Ã~-ig chambefl-.
Refemzngbackto.F1G.
12113, sensor elemecits 1308, 1310, 1312 are. itsed t.k3 collect data regarding flttid being puiitpecl from xlic mixing chamber aztcl to the lluit~ outlet. However, in altemaÃe ei-nbodÃm~,'nts, tio sei-isors are or only one set, or only oiie type of's~,'nsor c1emetit (i.e., either 20 temperature or conductivity sensor element) i% itsed. Any type of sensor may be used an. d additionally, any embocli~~iezit of a temperature, a coaicl~ictivÃty sensor element or a combined sezisor element.
As ilesc.ribe(l a1~ove, the exemplary embodiment is ot7o cassette c.mbociime-t3t that incorporates the exemplary fluid fl.ow-patl.i 1c:-1.~enia3tic shown in I ICa.
8. l-fc~~~ever, Ãhei~~are "5 aitertiat~ ~rnboclin-~anÃs of the cassette that incorporate z~~anv o-I'Ãl-ie sarne feaà res of ttre ~.~xeÃrilal.ary ettibocliment:,1.~Ltt in a dif'ferent: structural clesignr:tnd wit.li ,ligh.Ã:ly different fl.ow pat.lis. One of these aIterÃiate cii] bodi~~~~i-its is t:lie emboclimerlt shown Ãn FIGS. f 6A- ?0B.
Referring now to FlGS. 1 6A- f 6CY, views of an alternate emboclamerit: of the C(ap plate 1.600 are shown. The features ol'the top plEtte .1.600 are alternate c;mho~ciinlent;~ of 30 corresponding teattires in tlt~.~ ~~empl~.~r-,en~bod.iment. This alternate embodiment inclticles twornixir~g chani1_~ers 1622, .1624 and 1~tit-i3ps. Thus, this ernbocliÃ-neztt:
represexits the flexihilitNr in the ca::sseÃÃe, design. In vari~.~u.
~~iibodi~iaeiiÃs, the cassette can iiiax ariv ntiÃt-iber of fIÃifcls, as well, car~ rnet:c.'r them separately or, t:ot>eth4r. F(G. 9s.l~ow< ft fluid flmN---13ath schematic of the cassette sllc?wri in l; IGS. 16A-20B.

Retorririg now to F1GS. 17A-1 :~.::, views of an alternate emboclimer-it of Ã1-ie miciplat~.~
1.700 are s'liowri.. FI.(.IS. 1SA-t 8C.. show vie-ws of azi alternate ei-iilioc.~ii-iiezià of the bottom plate 1800, Re.t"errÃr~g now ts? :FlG. :t 9A, an sisse.Ãribled alternate e.Ãi.ibotli.a~ent of the cassette 1900 is ~howri. FlGS, I 9Ca19D shc.iw expIc.~cied views of the cassette 1900 where the pod pump rnembrane~ 1910, valve r.nembranes,l914 and met.c::rin:,;13ump membranes.1.912 are 4hc:rwn.
The three rneterÃn<g pttrii~.~s 1616, 161$, ~62Ã1 can be ~ecri as well as the respective membranes 1912. In this er.nbodsmenÃ, t1ixe~,~ fluirls cari be metered ayrct Goritrotleti volrrr-iies ol`~ac'Ii can be ri-riaetl iogetlier i11 the mia.ixi- chambers 1622, 1624.

1.0 Flt:_iS.'0:A a~id 20B s}row a cross sectional view of the rrssembletl cassette :1.900.
As this alternate e'aibodi'iiezit shows, there a:re, iiiaa riy variations of the pumping cassette and the general l-~Itrid sr:.bez3iati.c shown in FIG. 8. "I'htrs, addit:iozial inixing chambers and i.noeering purnl}s can add trddiÃ.ional capabi.lity to the laÃrmpinw cassette -to mix rrzrare il.{an ÃNvo fluids together.
1.5 ~3 I :xemplrri-y f:?mbod.Ãments of the Mixirrg Cassette In lyracÃ:ice, t.lie cassette may be used to ~~~i-i-iip ati4= t`T)e crt:
tluic( tromanv source to anv l.ot;aticrn. Tl:re ta?pes of tltrid include nLttrit:ive, nor7nutriCive, inorganzc, t:hei-nicals, organic cIiemicals, bodily fluids or any other tvpe of t"lirid. Additionally, fluid in so~~~e er-nbot.lÃm~,'nts inc:lticles a gas, rhtrs, in soniu ernbodir~~enÃE; the cassette is rtsed to pttr-iip zi gas.
20 The cassette serves to putt-~parld direct the t"luid.t:Ã-om and to the desired locations, In some embocliments, otrtSide punips ptrmp the filriid irito the cassette and the cassette pumps the fltrid r?rxÃ. However, i.ti. .otzie etzil3fscli.tnent5, the pod pumps serve tcs prill the lluid into the cassette and 1.~ttmp the tlrrid utrt of the cassette.
As discussed above, depending on the valve locations, z:ont-rol of the fluid paths i4 "."? imparted. 'l'Ilits, t:lre valves bear-ig in different locaÃ:.iotis or additional valves are altemate embodiments of this cass~.~tte. Additionally, t.hc.Y fli.tit,l tirics and paths shcjAvai irr Ãlt~.a frgtrre:.s described above are ti-rer~~ examp:1e4 ottliiid li.Ãies. azid pathv. C3t:l-ier embodiments may have Iri .-it:itl other embodiments, valves t:rre not pres~.arit izI
the cassette.
30 The nru-nber of pod ptimps described ~~ovo may also vary dep~.'nding Oil the ernboc3.iMerlt. For example, although the exeniplary zu3d aItez-riate erxBlaocl.iri-Bea-zt:; shown and described above inelrrcle, two pod ptrmps; in other eiii1?ÃadimenÃs, tlie cassette iiiclucles one.
In still other enibÃ:gclinienÃs, the cassette includes i-noru than nvo pod.
pr,ntp4. The pod pt.rmps 4?

can be sin~.~l.c. pumps or work in ttisidem to pro+Ãdo a more t;ontinuotts tlow, Eith~.'r or botli maN., be t:Esed in. various enibodin-writs of the cassette.

The various ports are provitiect to ii-npttrt pai-t.ic-ttlai fltz.id pa.t-bs onto t:l~;te cassette.
These ports are tiot necessarily al! ttsed all of the time, i.nstead, t.h.c. -Yari.c.Ã-V Of 130TI'S provide flexibility of use of the cassettc:. in practice.
The pttmping cassette ctiti be tised in a n~~~yritld ofappli.c.at-ior:ts. I-1:owever, ir.t one exc.mplary e~~~odiment:, the pumping cassette is Li.sed to mix a solutioti that includes at least two _111 the exemplary eraboditt-ie.i3t., thr4e,~ itigredieitts are iiiixed.
However, W other emboditriey:-tts, less thatz three or more tbaxi three cati be niihed by addin;., 1.0 nicterirtg pt.tttips9 mixing ctaainbc.~a-s, itilc.~tsi'otttl.c.Yt-s, valvcs and. fluid lir.tes. These variations to the cassette dcsÃ{wti are readily disc.ertlable.
As used herein, the ternis ::sotirce ingredient" ot. "sotlrces of in~~-reclients" refers to iffi~z-~c~.ier~t:~ ot(tor i}~ay~ the ~f"Itaicl l~t~~~.~~~eci iÃ~ztx~ ~.tie cassette from the first t'lt~ic~ ii.tiet.. `i"1~e~e source itigredicnts are cotitaÃt~ed in a container, t.~~, provided by a soua-c.ee connected to the 1.5 ca.ssc:tte.
ln the exemplary embol.i.ment, the pt:tt~ipÃz~g cassette includes t:}~~
ability to con.net:.t foursourt:es. of ingredients to the cassette in a(idititaj-t to the f1ti:id inlet li~ie. Irt the ~:~ xet.liplat'y ctnbod.iment, the fl-Liid itilet is connected to a water souÃ'ce. However, in otlier embodiments, the fit,tÃd inlet line is connected to a container of a.
liyt.tid."flt~id soltttzon or to 20 anothet- sourc_e of flt.titl/liqtaid.
In tlie exemplary embodinient, the four additional sources of in;.~redienty c~~ii be four ot'ih= satne source it}-redient:s, or twc) of'nr.ie soitt-cc iriw~~edici.tt azid two ofancather. Issing two of each source ingredient> or fottr of acit:, sottrce ingrediciit, pumping aiiel mixing cati be dotic in. a continuous mar.mcr witl-tn-cii having to replace tl-ac sources. 1-lo~~eve.t-, ctepeticii.tig oti the source, the i-t.t.tmbeÃ- of redtiziciaziÃ: sources of each i.Ãi(,redicnt will vary. For example, the sotga'ce cotÃ.id be a connection to a very Wo>e:: coritallicr, a smr:tl.ler cortt.a.itt~.af- or a seemir~~ly"endlcss" sottrce. 'I'htis, dependi.n.o c~ii the volume being put-npeei atld the size of the soure:cr Ãht.~ rtrtr~~ber of corttatii.ors of a scirtr-ee ingredient ly:ty varv.
C3tie of t~ie tltiiz-l paths descri:bedabove with tcspec:i: to BG 8 i.ncfudt:s a patli where 30 the pod ptim~.~s pLtmp lit.Yttid into the c.asscttc, aiid to t ro of thc sougct.~ ingredients st~~ttrc.es ~.~r containers. This available functionality of the cassette allows two of the source ii-z-sretlient:s to be, at least initially, powder that is constituted witli ttic fluÃd/liquid froÃli tlle fluid inlet Iint;. As well, there is a valving~.~sath. f-orbotl't pod pt.trtips t.h.atcan act:o~inpIis~ipt,zi.~1.)ir.tg-f-I.tlid to the ÃtiaredÃctit sources. Thus, in otic embf?dimei-it, the valves are coritro1led -lor a period 4 :.~

of timesuch that continuous ptti-npir~g of'fltrid into the tlttid. irllet aixd tc? two soarrc;~.>
irrO7-edient corria.ir.3eg-s is accor~iplisl~ed. This sa.r:tie. valvi.Ãig pa:tli cari be.irist.itr:Ãted tt) the c3tller two sotrrce irrÃ~reciient containers or tc? one o.t't:hc.Y other two ~~ittrce ittgner3ier.tt: corlt,:lm~.Yrs iz?
additiOrr tc) or in. lieu o.{`Ãl~e valving pfitl=r sl.lown in FIG 8. In other embotliÃlients- fltrid inlet Iiqtrid. is pumped to t.~nly orie sotrrt.e irigredier3t container.
Additionally, irr sonre enrbodinrerrisff flri.ici is pi.rniped into the fluid inlet and to the sÃ.~ttrc e ingredierit:s where the sutrrce ingredicrlts are fluid. This embodiment r~~ay be used in situ:a[iGxyrs wlier~,~ the fluid irlit.t i-lui~.l. .is a scir.trc:e irigre,~dier-it rtiat r~eecls to be mixed wit}r oTre of the soLir~~e ir.liYredierzts prior to pLrmpirzf-Y. `t'his:t`uncÃioriality ca.Ãi be r.iesigrzed into any 1.0 t.r-iibodi~~ierZt Ã.gt~tl:Z~.~ pr.tr~ipi~~~,* cas,et:te. I-lowÃ.Yver, M
sor-ne Ã.Yrn~~odin3ents, this valving path is tioi iriclr.iclecl=
Irr tlie exemplary embodiment, the metering pumps allow for tl~e pumping of the source ingredients i.n. kriowr-i volurries. `I'hirs, careful pum.p.ir~g allows f:or- mixing a solut..ion requiring exact concentrations of the variotis ingÃ-edients. A sia~~.rle metering plrmp could 1.5 pump rnultipl.e source i.Ã-rgr~edi.eriÃs. 1-ln~~~ever, as ar.l irlgrerizerrt: is prrm.1~ed, sr:urrl( a.rri urrtw of that ingredient rna.y be presesit in the nietering fluid l.i.ne ai-id tlirrs, corrlci conttaminate the irigr~.~d.ient arld tl:ra.ts, pr=o-,,~itie fog- aa-i incorrect assess~~.~erit of the volkrme of that swcorlcl ingredient being pur~~~ed. T-herei`ore, in the ex~~iiiila:r-y etiiliodit-rieziÃ, at least orie meter.irig ptimp is provided for ea.cb sotirce in(grediurrt, and thus, a sir1g1e metering parmp is provided 20 for two sources of>ource ingredients w1-rere those, t~Nvo sources corrtaizi identical source irtgre~.~iiexits.
in tl-rc exernplary embodiment, for eacii -,ource ir-igrerlaetit, a nzeterinM
punrp is' ~.~rravidet.l. Tlia.ts, in ernbc.`idimc..nts whe-re more tliarl two source irr,~r~.~~ierits areprescnt, additional nieteri.11.4 ptrl-aips rrlay beHicluded for eacii additional source ingredient M ttrc 2 ."? ptrrr-ipir~g cassette. In the exemplary embodimerlt, asirityle r~~~ter ir~õ Prar1p is e n-nected tc, two sotrrce irrgreciientS because in the oxeraplary ~.arrlbodimexit:, t.litse nvo sor.rrc~.~ irrgret(ient.s are the same. However, irr alt:emate erzibodi-merit:s, or-ie met.erir~(s prr~~ip cari piiÃiip more t:l-iar.i orrc source itrg-redierrt arrd be coriri.ec[ctl, to nrore. t:l-ian one source ingreÃiiGart even if tlriy are trot ttre stttrae.
30 Sensors or sensor ileÃ-nents may be included in the fluid. lines to cleterr3iir re th~.~
t:erxlpera:trr.re or other charact:eristic oi'the fluid being pLrmpeci.
17hu;.4 .ir1 embc?dinients where the source ina.aredi.ent container included a powder, water havzrrg. been pttmpetl by the cassette to the sor.tr-ce irrgretlic.Ynt container to cor.rstitu#:~.Y the powelct ill.to solution, a serrso.r corild be rrsed to ensure the correct corrcerltratioai o:('the sotirs: e ingr-~dieriÃ.

Ftzxtht,~r, sensor elements t-nay be iztclt.icie(l izt the fILtiz:t outlet line, downstrt;*tz-n from the mixing c.hagi-tber to t.~eterziiine characteristics ot`tllc nuxcd solution prior tt.) the riiixed st.xltztiola exiting the cassette tl-zrottgh the fluid ot.ttlet. Additionally, a downstream v,tlv~.Y can be provided Ãcs eristz.re bttdly.nuxed soltt-ivri is not pumped outside the cassette through the flLzid uit:tlet. Dist.ttssiozi of the exemplary embodimezit of tlic sciisor elements is incluel:c.d above.
Otic extrtai~.~le of the pumping cassette in ttse is as a mixing cassette as part of a bt:'znt?dialysis syst.eiii.Tlzt. mixing cassette would be tzss:d tcF i-iiia dialysate to lieeti a elizily,sate reservoir outside the cassette. `llztts, the cassette would be connected to two 1.0 containers of each c.itricacid and NaCl/bii:<zrbor.zat:c.Y. Two rticterirtg pumps arc pr~.asint i~~::~i the cassette, one dedicated to the citr-ic: acid aiid tfte, other to tlie NaÃ:`lr:lr3ic:arboziate.
one, metering ptzmp works u itli two source Ãngrediezit conÃaitiers.
In t(-zc exemplary embodiment, the '~aO;'Bic:arbonate is a powder and reqtzires -tlzc addition of water to create the tlttid sottrce ingredient solution. "i'lius, water is pumped itiÃo 1.5 tlze .{irsà t:ltzicl inleÃ. and izito the sot.zrce containers of Both pod ptimpw can lattmp out of pliase to rapidly aiid cazitis:trtotisly provide the necessary water to the source containers of NaCl 'Ricarhonate.
.I,o mÃx the dialysate, the citric acid is puinped by a i-zietering ptzt-zil) :itttt.-) a pod ptzmla aiid then towards the mixing chaiiiber, Water is ptampcd. itit.o the pocl pumps as well, 20 resulting .iti adesÃred concentration of citric acid. Sensor eleme-zits are located rtpstreann from tlre mixing chamber to determine if the citric acid is in tlze proper concentration and also. the pod piaz:tps can pt,.tiip additional water towards t:hemix.ing chamber i.f necessary to achieve the proper concentration.
The NaO'Bicarbot-tEztc is ptar-ti~ed by the second zi-zetcrflz.tg putrBp aiid into the f7tz.id "5 otiilet: line upst:reazn from t1-te mixing chamber. The citricacirl and tlttirl NaCI.'Bicarbonate will ciiter the mixing cltarrrl.~cr. The two source ingredients will. ttaert mix anÃi='': be pur~iped otit tl-te {laid ot;tÃ1et.

In ,m.t~e erziboclirzicnt:, sensor elements are located downstream f-i-om t.he mixi.n~>
rliaiizbc.r. These sensor clenic.r.ais can. enstAre the concentration of'thz is 30 proper. Also, in sun:ze cr~~~odirtseliÃs, a valv~.~ may be located downstream from the ~lttit:l Ot:zt:let, (zi sitztatiot~s. wliere the sensor data shows t:hei-nix.iz.iM;-has rBCrt. been ;,ztcces5ttxl or as desired, this valve can block the dialysate from flt?witigitit:o the reservoir located outside the c:assette.

In alternate embodiments of the c~~sette., addition metering pumps can be znclades to reriic~ve Mid frori-i the fluEid Iirres. Also, additional pod DUMDs may be included for additional larrrnlainà feattrr~.~t. irr altemiite embodiments of t.lais dialysaÃe in:ixirtg prcrcess, tlrree nzets;rillg Pullz Ps Zrrr4l two r.rttxi.tr.g clrarribers are used {frs shown irr. l`'1:G. 9). The citnic acid, salt, and bicarbonate are each pttÃ~~ped separately in t.liis eni~.~r.iclinicnt. Oire mixing rliairzber is sÃri-aÃlar` to the one described fibi3vea and theseco.Ãr.rl triixi.nÃF ckrarr-~ber is used to mix the salt and bicarbonate prior t~.~ flowhr.g to the otl1er mixirrg c,hamber. Nvliere ti-ic mixing beiwe~,'Ãr the citric acid, NaCt=Bi.carbonate will be acc orriplis13ed.
Vuriuus ezr.rbodinienÃs of the cassette l:or- mit.Ãng various solutions are readily 1.0 tli scerrrable. Tbe:lluicl liÃies, valving_: rneterirr;3 ptr:li3ps, t.y.lixirrg char~aberss pod ptti-irps and iÃiletr`outlet.s are inodular elements that can be rnixedand matched to impart the desired mixing functionality onto t.l~~ cassette.
In various ernbodirzierrts o.Ã'tl:~e casseite, the valve arcl-ait~eettrre var-ies irr order to al.ter tlie fli.tid flow-path. AdrliÃionally, t1ie sizes of the p~.~d.pr.rmps, mete_ria~g, pump and mixing 1.5 charnbers may also vary, as well as the T-iurriE3er of vaIve;, pod punips, metering pitmla5, sensors, mixing cIia.mbers and source ingredient contaFr-lers COtIr-lected to tlae cassette.
.ilitbou~,=h in this ocr:rbt3diment, the Valves are vtalcarro valves, in other er~-iboclin-icrits, tl-ic valves are ttot volcano valves and in some embod.Ã-ments are smooth surface , alves.

6. Exemplary Embodiment of the Middle Cassetie 20 Referring rtow to l^ [G. 38A, an exemplat-y embndÃmeiit of thefi'lLiid schenlatic of the pumpingcassette3800is shown. Other schematics are readily discoraiable azlcl onea(terrzate embodÃmerzt of the sch~rnatic is s}town.in M'r. 38A.. Still re.t=~zTing to l<"IC=F. 38A, t}.ie cassette 3800 irictudcs at least orie pocl. pump 3820, 3828 and at least one vent 3830. TIle cassette 3800 also includes at l~~ist oare tluid port. l:ri the sz:her.natflc, a plurality oi'pnrls "."? 3804, 38:10, 3824. 382fi, 3830, 3832. 3846, 3848, 3850, 3852, 3854 are shown. f-lowever, in al#-erritkte c.rnbodii-nerZtt, the non-iber- o#'ports andr'or locations can be different. Tl;ic plurality of port optio.as preser-its a riumber of possible pumpiara sc1r:elnatics :(or ariv type of fluid :i-br ariv i'r.trict:iorr..
The c.asseite additionally includes a.t lerist orie pod prrnrp 3820, 3828 to purnp fluicl 30 tlirougl`r at least orie port and into andi'or otrt of th~.~ cassette.
'Ihe~.'xor3lplury~.'r31bodiment iricludes tavo pod putups 3820, 3828. I=lc~~~~~~er, in, aI.terr3a[e embod.imeiBt.s, ozre or.mo.re pod pLrmps are, iÃie:Iuded in the cassette. In the exemplary embcrdimerlt, Mn pod panilay 3820, 3828 Ã1iay provide for continuous or- s[cady fl~~Av. The ti.eraÃ-:3830provides avGntt.o atmosl3here :tu.r a fluid reservoir iliridlv connected to, but outside of; the ciissette.

Th.e fluÃdst:hematic of t1~o cassetÃo 3800 showii in FIG. 38A rxxay be embodi~.'tl itito various cassette apparatus. `l`lxtis; the various embodiments (-,,f the cassette 3800 that include a fl uad flow path represented bv the fl.txid schematic shown M. FIG. 3 RA are riot: the only ezis4eÃte einl:xociiÃrients that ixxzxv irxcurporate this or an alternate enxboslirÃxeait~ of this flLiid schematic. Additionally, the types of valves, the order of actuation of'tlxe valves, and the r~~iml:xer of pttr3xp~,. I31 IV VarV M vciricxtis cassette embodiments of this flu.id. st:_henaaCic. Alst), additional features wtxy be present in eixxl.~~.~dimexits of the pty.mpi~g cassette that are not represcsx[ecl in. the schematic or ori the cassett~,~ cixibodiixie,'rits showrl ai3c1 described liereiii.
Still ref-cgx-irzg to FIG. 38A, in one scenario, flLÃi:cl exiters ti-ae cassette throu~wlx 'l port 1.0 3810 and is pumped to ~.`itlxera first punip fluid path 3812oa a second px.ttxxp flti.itl, path 3818, In oue emtioditx3ent, ptxzxip inlet valves 3808, 3814 afternately ol~enancl close, aix~.-1 tl~e, valve 3808, 381.4 z[xat is olaenat any giveix time allows the t~.~~ld to flow iix.Ão its respective fluid path 3812. 3818 and iiito the respective pod piimla 3820, 3828. The respective Ixurrxlx inlet valve 3808, 3814 then closes, azx~.~ the corresponding 1?amp outlet valve 3816e 3822 1.5 nl?erxs. The fluid is pumped o-Lit of't}xe pod gxEimp 3820, 3828 and t:hoti-lx .f=irst flidcl outlet 3824. However, in ot(xer ernboriitnents, bofl-i valves 3808, 3814 opei-~ and close at tlxe same tinxe, In some emkxodin-wnts, txo va1v~~~ are in the cassette.
A vetit. 3830 provides a locwx.tiail fot, a reservoir or otlxer container or fluid source to veaxt to axrriosplxere. In some embodiments, the source of the first.1=ltlicl is connected to tlle 20 vent 3830. A valve 3802 c;oÃ-at.rols the venting patlx~~~~ay.
Alt~ouglx in orxe sconar-io, t~.xlid i:, ptimped iixto port 3810, in otlxea exnbodinxetxts, fluid is purnpecl,: iixto the cassette tix.rfsugh anN; of the lxo.rts 3804, 3824, 3826, 830. 832, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854 arxci then out of the cassette ÃIxroxÃglx any of tfic pcirts 3804, 3810, 3824, 3826, 3830, 3832.:3846, 38438, 3850, 3852, 3854. Additionally, the pod }xUr.1x}xs 3820, 3828 "."? iÃi v.x.r.ic>tas er~:~td.iments lailr-il13 fluid i.tx the f?Ixfxos.Ãte direction than described above.

In general, the cassett.~.~ 3800 pravit(es. pumping power to pamp fluid as well as tluitl flow }xat.1is between ports aixd around the cassette.

In oixcx ernbÃ.gclinxonÃ, the vixe or rixore ports 3804, 3810. 3824, 3826, 3830, 3832, 3846, 3848, 3850, :3852, 3854 zxre attached. to Zi -l.~ltCr or other treatrnent area for the flt:iiÃi 30 being pctixxpet.l otit of tlio cassette. In some om~odix3xcaixts, pod pti.mps 3820, 3828 provid~.~
etiotx-l-i fxul-rxpin;w: fo.rce to _lxusl-i t:he flziid tlarough afilter or other tx~eaÃ:Bnen-t area.
In some embcxlitxxe:n.t:s, the p~~inping cassette includes additional flx.iid paths and one or ixiexre additional pod purnfxs. Additionally, the cas5et:tu in sortxo ertx.bcjÃiirtxGnts includes additioixal venting paÃlxs.
.

The varic.Ya,ts flow paths possible in the cassette, represented by one emt7odim~.'i-tt in H& 38A, are cotiiro11ed by tl-ze val~~es 3802,3808, 38,14õ 38:165 3822, 3836n 38338, 3840>
3842,3844,3856. C3pot3ia~gat-iti cIositigtl:iev,il-%,es 38fl2T ~~08, 3814, 38.1 6, 3822. 383fi, 3838, 3840. 3842v 3844, 38-.,-~C i.ndifife.rei.it o.~-de.t-s Ic:.tids tca ve.rvti.if[~erent fltiidpt.iri7piti~~ paths and options for plÃmping. Referring trÃ.~w to FICsS. 39C, ;; i Ã3A, 11 OB and 3 I OC, the various valves atid ports aY-c shown c~~i an exemplary embodiment of the casseÃte.
In some c,tiiboditiic:nts ~.~f the pumping cassette, iaiorÃ: valves are i~icltttled or additional fl.ow patl~san.tl./or ports are iiic-lticlet(. In other e.i-iibotlime,'iit.s, there are asmaller nurnber ol'vaIves, flow patlis and,'or ports. In sc-~rn~ embodiments of the cassette, the 1.0 cassette may irtcl.ude oii.~.~ or iii<3ro air traps, one or more fiIters, and`or one or nwr~.Y t:14lec:lC
valv, es.
The embodiments of the tlttid. flow-path schematic shown in I~ 1G. 38A, ora.lternate embodiments thereot', cwi be embodied iziÃo a5tz-uciure. Ira the exemplar~~
embodiment, the strtictt.lre is a three plate cassette with acttiating membranes. Alternate et31bod..itnerits of the 1.5 ca.ssett.e are also described below.
Refe.rrinu, iiow tc? FIGS. ' )9A and 39I:3, the otiter side of the top p1.aÃ~
3900 ot`t}.ie ~.~xemplat--v embodiment ot'the cassette is showi1. The tap plate 3900 int:it.tdes one half"Ã:gf Ãlle pod pumps 3820, 3828. 'I`his ba.lf is the #'luÃd.`liquitl lialf wliet'e the source fluid will flow through. The inlet ai-ici otitlit po~.l ptti-np flttid ptitlls are showti..
These fluid paths le.ad. to 20 their respective pod ptimps 3820, 3828.
The pod put~ips 3820, 3828 include a raiseti flow patl~ 3908, 3910. T1ie raised. tlc+w patli 3908, 3910 allows.foÃ- the f1uict tc) c:or.rti.nue to flow through the pod punips 3820, 3828 after the meta~~~ane (not showri) reaches Ã1i~, ~~id of sÃro'ke. Thris, the raisecl flow t.~atl3 3908, 3910 minimizes the tnembrane causin4f air or flu.icl to be trapped in the pod puÃ-np 3820, "."? 3828 or the mcÃarbra.iie blocking the itflet or outlet of the pod pt:Ãtrap 3820, 3828, which would inhibit flow. The raised flow path 3908, 3910 is stiow4i in the exGn:tphary emlodimerit having particttlar dimensions. In alÃer.nate embodiments, the rai5eel -flow pat(i 3908r 3310 is larger or t3agrt3tiver, or in still other etnbocl:inwxit:5, the ra:i54d. flow pr.tt:h 3908, 3910 caii be any dimension as the ptit.pz~se is to conii.-ol flaitl flow so as to achieve a desired 30 flow rate or bihavior of the tluid. `I'ltl.ts, the climensic.~iis showtr and described here with respect to the raised ilow path., the pod p-timljs., the valves, or any other aspect are mere exet~iplaÃ-y and alternate ot~~~odimenÃs. Other e~iiIaodi~iieÃits are readily a~~
~~aaezlt, FIt_i-.`a. 39C aÃtd:39D sl-iow the irirter side oi't:l-it: tcip plate 3900 of the GxGtapl<try ertibodirnent of the cassette. F:[G. 39E stiow1 a side view of tile top plate 3900..

Reforritig now to F1GS. 3 1OA aii(l _3 ) 1OB,. the fltrid:'lÃqÃ;Ãid side ofth4 midplate 31000 is shown. The areas c:otnp(en-aentswy to the fltr.id pat.hs on t:llc inner tola plate shown zn FIGS.
33C atgd 39D ,tre shown. These areas are slightly raist:d Ãrr.tcks that present a surface finish that is contlttcÃve to laser welcl.ir.agr whic.h is orienaode o.l'man.taf:acaÃrir:tg in the c:xen-ÃplaÃ-y embc.~~dimi:.r1t. Other modes of manufacturing the cassette are discussed ~~ove. Refc:ff itig to FfG4. :' ) I OA and 3 l OBq tl.te poTts of i-1.tc c.xt:_rnpltiÃ-y c:.mbodir.3ient of the cassette itr'e htbel.eci corres~.~t.~ridiÃig to the schematic shown and described above with respect tc, FIG. 38A. One port is rtcit 1abeled, port 3852. This port is bt,'st se,'eri ita FIG. 39C.
Referring Ã-text ioFI(iS. 3 it_tC rttid 3 :~ 1OL'+, the air side, or side -1'acinIg the bottom plate 1.0 (not s}rown, slaoo,~,ti in F1.Ci& 3 I.1 A-:31 1E} of th~.a ruidplxttÃ.Y
31000 is showai at.:ct~~-ding to the exemplary embodimettt.. 'I'l-ae aiÃ- side of the valve holes 3802, 3808, 3814.
38.16., 3822, 3836, 3838, 3840, 3842, 3844; 3856 ccrrrcspoaid to the Iioles in tlic f1t.iid side of t:lie midplate 31000(s1towr-iit~ l-'I(iS. :")IOA. arÃd :")t 0131, 31220 complete pod pumps 3820, 3828 while memlai'aries 31222 complete valves 3802, 1.5 3808, 3814, 3h16, 382~~ 3836, ~~~38, 3$40, 3842, 3844, 385fi. ':('l~e valves 3802, 3808, 3814, 3816; 3822, 3836, 3838, 3840, 3842., 3844, 3856 are actuated pneumatically, arid as the -ri~.'mbrarÃe is ptrliet.l away, from the ho(es; tiqttict/fltrid is allowed to flow. As the mer.libr'arte is pushed toward the holes, fli-zid flow is -iÃilt-ibitcd.. `IT!-ae flttid tlow is directe-d by tlic opening atid closing of'the valves 3802, 3808, 3814, 3816, 3822, 3836, 3838, 3840, 20 3842, 3844, 3856. The exet~ip:(aty en.7bodiment oi"`the valve is a volcant?
va1ve, sk~owtt in dcscribedabÃ~~e witli respect to FIGS. 'A atid 2B, t?tie embtxdiÃiietit of t:lie valve, niembrane 31222 is shown in FIG. 2E, alternate ernl3tscli.ment:s are shn~.~:~Ãi .ir.i 1"I(_FS 217-2G.
Referring next to FI+G:$. 31 lA and 31 IB, the inrii~r view of the bottom plate 3110Ã.1 is showrt. The inside view of the pod ptrÃ-tips 382.Ã1, 3828, and the valves 3802, 3808, 3814, "."? 3816: 3827, 3836, 3838, 3840, 384.2, 3844., 3856 actuat.ion;air chaniber is shown. `l'r~e pod ptrt-i-Ãps 3820, 3828, at-ift t-1~e valv~.`s 38Ã72, 3808, 3814, 3816.: 3822, 3836, 3838, 3840, 3F42>
3844, 3856 are actuated by a lsr~eurrtaÃic air sottrf.~c. Rete.Ãrina novv, to 1 IGS. ? 11 t` and :31 I.D, the orrter sit.le o:l'thc bottom plit[c 31100 is showr3.. Tl-.iescji.ir-c~,Y ofaii-is a.tt,.tc:hefl. to tlii; side of thc cassette. ln t?aic: embodin7er.tt, tubes connect to the ttÃbes on the valves and 30 ptu-np-s 1202. In some embodiments, thc val-ves are gat~geÃi, and more thati og~e, vaive is actuated by the sartte air lirÃe.
Referring now to FIGS. 3I2A aÃid 31213, anassembled cassette 31200 is shc+-vvn. An exploded vier~, o:l't:heasscmblerl cassett~.~ 31200 shown Hi RG`s. i 1''A. and 312.13 is shown izl F 1GS. + t'2C_' aÃ-td31'? 1?_ In these views, the exemplary embocli.mcaiÃ: of the pod piÃra1~

membranes 31220 is s(iowii. The eaer.1::fplstry i'mbod.iment ii1e:lGÃtles membranes shoNvn in F:tGS. 5A-51). The gasket of the m~rnbrane provide;, a seal between the liquid cha.~~ibe:r (in the top plat.o 3900) anct t~ie a.it `'act.uation cha~nber{in the l~ottoin ~.~rl.ate31 100}. Inson-w emb diment, including t1-ic?se shown M FIGS. 513-51), t.exture on the donae of the membranes 31220 prc.`~videl am~~igst other #eatvres, additional space tt.~r air and liqttid to escape the chan-iber ai the end of stroke. In alternate embodiÃnc;nts o.["the t;assett.c, the membranes shuwrti in FIGS. 6A66G inay be Ei:sed. Referring to FIGS, 6A-6G, aa discussed in ~~rea.ter detail zibov~,~, these ~~~entbrar.ie4 include a double gasket 62, 64. The cioLibti.~ ga~ket.
62, 64 teat-~ire would ~e preferred in embodinxents= where both sides of'the pod pump 1.0 inchrde l.itjuid or in applications wb.or~.~ Sca(i~ig both ctiai-nbers' sides is (3csireLi. Ir.~ thes~.Y
embodiments, a rici-Ã coinplementary to the ( ga.sket or ottie.Ã- feature (-not shown) would be added to t:'1ie :iniior bottom. pIate, 31100 for the gasket 62 to seal tlie pod pa~~~p chaniber iÃi the bottom plate 31400, Referring now to FIG. 313, a cross seetioÃial view of the pod ptimps 3828 in the 1.5 cassette i~ Shown. `Ã':Ele cieta.ils of the attachment of the ra~embrazie 31.220 can be ~~crz in this view. A;ya.in; in Ã~~~ exemplarv eÃ~ibodi.tiiejita the m mbiune 31220 ;gasket i> pias:hed bv the midplati.~ 31000 ai-id tbo bottom plrzt~.~ 31 Wtl, A ri~i-i ot7 the iiiiciplatG 31000 provides a feature foÃ- the gasket tosea:( the pod pcunp 3828 clia.mbe-r located .i-n the top plate 3900.
Reforr-iiig next to FIG. 3 13, t1iis cross sectional view shows the valves 3834, 3836 in 20 the assembled ca.ssette. `Iyl~~ ~~~~inbranes 31220 are shown assembled aiid are held in place., in t1~~ exemplary embodiment, by bein ,.y sa~~dwiclaed betweeti the 111idpla.te 31000 azld the bottom plate 34 l 00.
Still referring to FIG. 313, this cross seitioiial viewalso shows ava1ve 3822 in the ass~~~iblecl cassette. The rnernbrane 31.222 i.11hown 1-acld irfl place by being sanctw.iched "."? betoveen t.1ie ixiidp_late 31000and tlie bottom plate 3.1.100.

As describedabov~.~, the c.~x~.`tnpla:rv ~.an-t~~od:imt:nt: (iescribeti above represents Ozli eassett:~ embodiment that incorporates t[ie exx.amplary tltiid flow-paÃli schematic shown in FIG. 38A. However, ther~.~ are alternate embo~.~it~ients of thÃ.Y cassutt~.Y
that i.~~iccjr,~ac~~~;:~t~. ~3~.~Ãt~>t~~.
of the same.features of the exemplary en7bodiinent, htit in a different stritcttzaal design. t;)r.3e 30 of these alterna.ti~ embodinients is cho embodim~.'nt shown in FIGS. 314:~-32 ÃD. An is shown in. 1JCf. 38L3. n.is schezna.tic, al.though siniiha~~ tk) t.tie schematic shown in FI:G. 38A, can be viewed to show the fltiid pattis of thea.lternate t.n-ibodi~~ient showri in FIGS. 314A-32) I D.

Retorriiig now to FiGS. 314A-314E, vietvs of ait alternate imbodizt~~t-it of the top plate 31400 are showrr. The features of the toli plate 31400 are alternate embod.ÃmerrtS of tlre pod punips :3820, 3828 are ctÃ.t into the inside of the top plttte 1400.
Aaid, as can be 4eeri in F1GS. 3 14A and 3 14B, the pod pumps 3820. 3828 do r7ot:13rotrricle oii t13e otitsir.le tup plate 31400.
In this embodimerit, when tlic cassette is assembled, as shown ir3 FIGS. s 1 c)A-3 19B, the plates 31400, 31600,.. 31800 are sealc'cl from ezrch other -tisir~g gaskets Showrt in FfGS.
315 zirrd 317 as 31500 arrd 31700 respectively. Referring ric>w tc> the exploded view o:('t(ie 1.0 cassette in F1C& 319C and 319D, t:li~ pocl piurip m~.an.lbr xrnes 31220r:tr.td v<rlv in~ r3~.tc~4t~br~~.~ies 31222ar~ shown. rr"tdrliticyia,,illy, it7 soÃitee.ÃitbodiÃit~i.it>õ
ac(ieÃ:.k~~~~~~ehouSin ~ c.el1 311'14.Ã~
additionally included.
Still refer~-ir-lg to FIUlS. 33 t 9(_'-3I9D, in th.isalternt3t:e ezr-ibodizi-ier-it, t(-r~ cas5ettc 1.900 is assembled with connection hardware 31910. `['hus. tl~e, cassette 31900 is mechanically 1.5 assembled riricl held together by connection liardwrire 3.191{). [.Ã-r ihi~ embodiment, -tlre connection hardware is screws btrt in ottier emk~od.Ã~-iieiits, the corifliec:tiorl lial-tlware 31910Ãs metal posts. .r1ny connection hardware may be used in a.ltemate embodiments including, but not lintited, to rivets, sliorilder bolts, and bolt5. Izr additional aite.rÃiate embodiments, ttre plates are held together by an adhesive.
20 Stii:l referring to l''IGS. :319Carld 31 9D, check ~~~[ve5 31920 are showzt. In this embodiment, the check valves 31920 are ~:-ir~ek-laill check valves, but in other ernbcadÃnrerzts.
the chee1:~ ~~ ~lv~-, carz be atry type of e1-ieck val ve., Ir.l diz s ezr-ibori.i metit, rlie check. valves zixe held by a check valve cell 31922. Additionally, in some embodiments, mclre c13eck valves are ra.secl in the caSsette.. For example, in this embodir.nerrt, and in some embodiments of the "5 exeÃzi}~larv eixibodiri-ieriÃ: ~~scri'bel above that irielrides check valves, additional clieck valve holders 31926, 31928are shown. These provitle hL}IdÃ.Yrs for additi.oriaI
c1~ieck valves. ~r.r still other eÃnbodiÃnenÃ:s, at-i air trap 31924 m~~y be includecl as show.Ãi.
i11 this er-i1bodiraielit.
Referring now to FIGS. 321A-:3211=1, one iar>>ibotllr>>iC:nt: of t.hÃ.Y duck-bill check valv~.a is sIzcswrr. However, in otber ~~~ibocli~~iei3Ãs, ariv check valve or alternate embodiments of a 30 drrckrbill check va.lv~.~ may be rised.
KeferTÃrIg I-rnW to:(-'IGS. 320A aric13'?0B, cross sectional ~~-iews of the a5~ernbl~d cassette arid the gaskets' 31500, 31700 relation to t:lie asSeriibl~d cis.ette assembly is 3$lUwri.

In the a.lternat~,~ embodiment, the gaskets 31500, 31700 are, macte. from silicone, hlti in otlrer embo~.~inierrts, the oaskets 3.1.5Ã10. 31700 riiay be made frorix ottier rriat~Tiais. Still rei~rring to FlGS. :320A and:320B, the connection harchvarc 31910 is sltowrr.
Referring tt) .CICs. 3 ) 20B4 the cross secti~~iial view shows the cfr.rck-bil.l check vah.es 3I920 i11. the assembled cassette.
6.1 1?:-xernpIaÃ~y Ernbodi.men.Ãs o.[`tlÃeMidcfle Cassette In prat.tice, tlic cassette Ãiiav be tised to pLimp any type of flrtacf.
fror31 any st.~ttrce to any l.ocation, Tfie types of fiEÃid include nutritive, nori.nutiit.ive, inorganic chemicals, orgaÃ-rie c'Iiemicals, bodily fluids, or ariy otlier type of t`luiid.
Additionally, fluid irl some 1.0 t.rnbodirnerZts irrcltitfe a gas, thus, iti soriii crriboif.inlerit:sT the cassette is tised to put~ap a gas.
The cassette serves to puÃt~pa:rld direct the flu-id.t:Ã-om and to the desired locations, In some embociimcnts, otrtside purt~rps pump the t'lriitl irito the cassette and the cassette pumps the fltiid orxt. However, fil s.or-zle cmbodi.rnent:s, the pod far.imps serve tc) prilZ the fluid into tlie cassette and pump the tltricf. otit of the casset.te.
1.5 As cf.iscrfs:~ed atiovc, dcf~errdixra, on the valve locations, cor.it-rol ot'thc flrricf paths is impa..rtccl. `l.l-rus, t~~e valves being,in di1fereiit locations or additio-nal valves are alter.Ãla.te embodiments eYl'this ca.ss~.~tte. Additionally, the l:lr.iid lines and paths shoAvri in the tigtrre.;, described abovc a.re tilez~~ examples of fluid lines a.zid paÃfis. Other emboÃi.imeiits may ~~ave more, less, anef~'Or- diffCrerlt flui~.1 paths. In still other ~,'ri-tbocfimer-its, vki1ves are not pr=esent. in 20 the cassette.
The nunibcr of pod ptrnips described above may also vary depending ~.~il the cmbodimerzt. :It'or- example, aIthorr-1:r the exenlplary z~~id alternate embodiments shown arid described itbuve iriclrrde two pod pumps, in otlier e itiocfiriient:s, the cassette iriclttdc.s otie.
Iri still other enxlaodinicn.Ãs, the cassette inclu.cle; inore than t~vo pod pumps. Tbc: pnci pr.arrps ca.ii be single pumps or work in ta.iilei-ri to provide a more s:oixtirj riotis flow. Either or-both rnay be tised irr va:niotÃs omb<3dir-ticri[5 of the cassette.
'1'1ic telrris itilet: and outlet as well as fluid paths are tised :[=or description f~Lirposes oÃriy. In ot.fZer ernbodinientt, an inlet ca-ii. be an oritle.t. Tfat:
denotations sirtxplv r~.afil.r to JeParaiG entrance areas into the cassette.
30 The designations given for th~.~ fluid inlets (which can also be #Irraci ouifcts), for cxaniple, f:irst ilra.id outlet, secoaid fluid outlet, n-rer-c:fy ir3dicat.e that a.['lrud may travel mit. of or irito tl~e cassette via that iraletiorrtlet:. In scvme cases, mor~. ÃliaÃi oaie ifflet:'orrtiet ori the 3c1reÃtiatic is designated wiÃ.ta arr iclor}tic:<i.1 riani~.a. This niircl.y describes that all of the 5?

inletrotttlcts having that designation are laL3mped by the ~~~~-ic! metering purrl* or set c?f~pod pumps (wl-iich ir~ zi:lt:em~:~.Ãc en,bodin.7ent5, can be a shigl~ pod PLÃMP).

The various ports ~~~-c proviciect to iinpart part.ic-ttiar f1u.id pat-li;
onto t:l~;~c cassette.
These ports are ~iot necessarily a1! Lised all of the time, i.nstearl, tlle -Vari.OÃV Of 130T.1s, provide flexibility of use of the cassettc:. in practice.
Referring again to FIG. 38,:~, one er.~~~~bodir.~~~~ent provides.f r a fluid reSerVO.ir to be flr7id1v atÃacbi d to the verià port 3830 allowing fo r ttie reservoir to vent to :iÃm t~sphere.
Additiona.1iv, in sonie er~ibo(liriit.nts, aii FINIS ruiire,'rice char~~~ber is 1-1-Lzictly attached to the resez=voir and t;hrts, as flLiid is added or removed f-om the resen~c>ar, the voIuÃiie iiiav be 1.0 tlet.ea`triiÃieti risirigt.iic FMS. Some ernbodi.t-n~.ants iric:ltidÃ.Y
additional vent ports iri th~.a cassette aÃid Ãhus, sonw, embodiments cl`t:he cassette may ~~e attached to more il-aall o.Ãle flxtid rescrvt?zr.
Orie cmt}ndimcnt irzclcrcles a fluid li.tic cxt.enaling .i=ron3 port 3850 tf) port 3848 and controlled by valves 3838, 3836. In one embodiment:, port 3848 iiiav be ffi.ddiy atÃachc~.~ to 1.5 a reservoir. As such, port 38.10 may also be attached to thc same rescn.Roir. `I'-hus., in one embodiment, port 3850 provides a fluid liiie to the reservoir, and port 38 10 provides a fluid tinesut'Ir ft~it the pod pt~irips ptir~ip t7tlitl frtan:-I the r~semoir into the ca.ssett~.~. In son-lc~
en-ibodintents, valve 3858 coitÃrols a bypass fi.Ãie from tlie. reservoir to another t'lu.id lizte coa-itroll~,'ci by va(v~,~ 3842.
20 Soit:~~ emtiodiitiet7ts'it.ay include an aii, trap within ttie tluid fines and`or at least otie setrsor, The sensor can beany soiisor baving a capability to determiric any fluid or non-fluid sensor clata.. In ~i-ie cmbodÃmcr-it; tl:irce sensor clcments are iiiciLided in a -4ii41e 111iici; line.
In some c~~~~odimetits, more than one tltiid li~ie includes the thrc:e sensor c:loxlients, In the tlarec sctisnr- eicnic.nà eynbodirrrcnt; two of the sei3;or elcri-wats are c.o.ncluctiv.ity serisor "."? elements az-id the third ser] s~.~r elerrrenà is a temperature se.ii-sor element. co.n:ductivity sensor c.lernc.n[s asid te~~~ipcraÃtir~.~ sensor iI~.Ytn~.ar.it can be any coriÃ(ucf:ivit':< cjr t~.ar~-~Iperat_ure sensor in the art. In one cmk3cadimeiat, the conductivity verisors are graphite posts. 1:Ãi. ot:l-icr t.rUbodinient-s, the conductivity sensor cleni~.atits ara:. posts rnade -tron-1 st.ain.less s.t.Gel., titanium, plaÃ.in~~rii, or any other rnetfil cofited to be cozTosionrc;sistant t~tid still be 30 electrically coridtictiv~.~. The conductivity s~.'iisor elements will include an electrical lead that trasis~-nits tl-ac probe intnrr.viatic?n to a coritroller or oÃl3cr device. In vrBe eii-Bbodiii-~ent, the temperature sensor is a theranister potted in astainless steel probe. Howevere in alteÃ-naÃe t.rnbodinient-s, a combination Ãcrnpcrature and L:ont.~i.ict.ivity sensor elements is 1.is~.a(l similar.-to the orrc tliscribeci in co-pending U.S. Pstti'iit Application ert.titl4d.
Sensor ~~pantit.~~
Systems, llev.ic.es ai7t1 Methods fi led October 12, 2007 (llEKA-t~~~XX).

In alternate embodiments, t.hero are. either no::erisors M. tl`i[: c:..rss'ot-te or crrrly a.
ternpetatilrC'Serrs0Ã7, crrrly ~i-ic or more conductivity sensors or one or ar:rcrre of arrc7tlrer' type of sensor.

7. Exe.tr.rplarNf Etr.rboc.linrer.ai of the Balancing t_ keferririg trow to FTG. 448A. arr exemplary embodiment of the flttid schematic of the balancing ~~iyirpirrg ztrl(l metering cassette 4800 is shown. Other sclremzrt7c;.s zrr-e reaclily eliscerziable. 'I'he cassette 4800 includes tià least one pod pump 4828, 4820 andat least oz~e 1.0 baladZcirrg pfr(i 4822, 4811 Tlz~.~ casSett.~.~ 4800 also irreli.ities a.1-:~rsà 11uitl ir.tl.et 4810, where a first. fluid eiiters tlte a;a.ssette. `l'Iie first t:luid includes a t`ltlw rate provided outside the cassette 4800, "Flie. c:.asSeÃt.e, 4800 also includes a first fltiÃd outlet 4824 where the first tluÃd exits the cassette 4800 }uaving a f-low rate provicied by one of the at least ozre poci pr.tmp5 4828. The cassette 4800 includes a second tluid irrlet 4826 w1]ore the secoxid. ~ltiicl oriters 1.5 tl-ie cassette 48041, a~~d a second flrrid ntitlet: 481.6 wliere th~
~econd fluid exits the s;aGs'ette..
t3alarrcing pods 4822, 48.12 i.ti tlre cassette 4800 provide for a desired balazrc~ of voitrme of fluid pumped into <zaiel ot:tt of't(xu cassette 4800; i.e., l,aetNveeri the first fluid ~~i-icl tlte second tluid. 'I'lte balancing pods 4822s 4812, ltowever, .Ãt.ray be bypassed by way of tlre moteria-ig pa,knip 4830. The r:frctering pttn-il) 4830 pttmps a. vol~ime of seccttrd fltiict (or tirst.
20 flr.rid iri otlier etiibodiriierats) oi:it ol't;lae flr.iid line, bypassing tlre baIaneing pod 4822, 4812.
Thiis, a smaller or rer~~iced volEime Ãi.e.; a "new" volume) of the fluid tliat 1i~s been removed by the metering pump 4830 will z3ctually enter the balz3rieir.lg pod 4822, 4812 azrd tl-ws. the motiriaig ~.~Ltmp 4830 fttric.t:ions to provide a ' irew" voltrme of aecotrd fltrici by re.r3-ioving the desired volurrre ti-om the fltaid path befcsre the secoi3d fluid reaches the bal-ancir-~~~ pod 4822, "."? 4812 (or in ot:lret emboiliments. removing first fluid the desired volr:Ãr11e f=ro.Ãn tl~e fltti.d path be.i-brc the soccrrZd f-Itrict reaches t.lae. balancing pod 4822, 4812)rusa.alting in less f-irst fluid (or in otl-ier ernbc?dirr~~entS, secozrd fluid) being ptimped for that 1~~~t-irp cycle.

The fluid scherna[ic; of"t.lre c.as5ett:o 4800 sl~~~Nvr:t irr RCf_ 48A rnay be Ganbodi~.ad into Wk rIOUS cassette apparatus. Tlrtrs, the embodiments of the cttsset.te 4800 iaacluclir.rg the fluid 30 silrernatÃc. shown in F1G. 48A are not thc.~ onlz, cassette enibodimeaits that may incor~.,orat~.~
this or z.~~i alterr7at:e eÃrrboci.ir.neut o.f't1-iis f7trid scl.iernaÃ..ic.
Add.i-tionally, the types ot'vzl1.ves, tlie gaiigiÃig of the valves, the nuriiber ot'-pumps and chambers may v ii-v Ãn variotis c assette t.i-iibodii-iierZt-s of t:l-iis fluid schematic.

8 PCT/US2008/055168 Reforriiig still tc) FIG. 48A, a fluid flow-pat1i EcIiematii:- 4800 is shown.
The fluid f'low-patli schernat.ic 4800 is described herein corresponding to the -1'lc-~~~r laat.l~.s in c~zie embodiment of the cassette. The exemplary embodiinent: oi't:he aniÃlj~,)latu 4900 of i-1li C~1,S4CÃtC i~, slIOWD Ãll' FI(_i. 49A with tl~.~. valves corresponding to the .fli~itl fl~~~~-~~zitl~
schiÃna.tic in FIG. 48A indicatc..d. The valving sicl.i of the mad:plate 4900 shoa~vn in ~IG.
49A corresponds to the fltÃ.id side shown in FIG. 49B.
keferriirg first to FIG. 48A with FIG. 49A,, a first fluid enters the cassette at tlle fiÃst fluid inlet 4810. The first tlEÃid flows to, balancing poc.( A 4812.
Balaiici~~g pocl A 4812 is a balarzcing poci ~~ described above. Balaiaci~ig pod A 4812 initially cs.~iitaizied afirst -~iol~ime 1.0 of second fltÃid. W}ieri Ã13~.~ first fltii(i flows irit:o the balarlcing pod A 4812, the i nenabr,:tr.te forces the secoud fluid out of baIaiicirig, pod A 4812. `I'hesecc.~~~ tlt-it.t flows throcl;;li the drain patli 481.4 and oi.tà the fir::st fluid outlet 4816.
,A.t t(-ic same Ãflne, pod pump t3 4820 includes a voluzne of s~cotad flLiicl.
The volitme of second fluicl is pumped to l~alanciii4y pod B 4822. Balancing pod B 4~322 c~s~~.tai11y a ;.
1.5 vc?lunie of first -tltiid, and this volume of first filu.ici is displaced by the vol.t,trne of second fltrid. '-('lre volunie of ~~irst t7ti.iti frca~ii balandÃig pod B 4822 flows to the ~ecoflicl fltiid oittlet 4824 and exit:s, the c.assette. A VO]'.ttnle of a sect~~id ~ltiid enters tl-te cassette zit fl tii(l iti tet o"vc~
4826 atr~ flows to pod ptaiYip A 4828.
Retorrillg stil.i tc) FIG. 48A with FIG. 49A, t1io s4'c:ond fla.tid is p~~~~lpecl from pod 20 ~~~iitp A 4828 to balancing pod A 4812. The, second fluid displaces the t'irst flu:id, in balancing pod A ~SU The first fltii~:-1 trom balancing pod A 4812 flows to tlle seeolid #"(tlid outlet 4824.
First i-ltiid flt.~ws into t17o ca.sse:.tte tlirotigh the first fluid iirlet 4810 and flows to balancing pod B 4822, The :~~~t fl-laid (iispiace; the second fluid ii-i balancing ~~ ~~. B 4822-"."? forcing the secorzcl. ~~iiid to flow csLit o:i`tlae cassette thR-Yugb the :first fl:uid ouiÃlet 4816, St.coii.tl fltiid flows into the cassette through t.l~~ second fluid inlet 482.6 and to po(i put~~~~ B
~820.

The metering pttri-ip can ~.3eac:ttÃa#et( at any ti.rnu and its function is to ro-iriove fl.t:[id fi'om the fl.ind path in order to bypass the baisinc:ing pod. Thus, any vc?luzrle of flLlicl 30 removed wuiild act to decrease the volume of th~.~ other ~~tiicl tlowiarg out of tl~~ second t'ltiicl outlet 4824. The rnetering pur-tip is independent oi'the baI.aircing poki-, 4812, 4822 arid i=1~~
pod pLimps 4820; 4828. The tlttid enters Ãhrotig1i flttid i_Ãilet two 4826 au.rd is pulled by the nicteria~~g puttip 4830. The tncÃering ~.-~tim~.-~ then ~i-Ltmps t:l-it:
voluine of fluid through t.h~.Y
second tlLtid outlet 48I6.

Although Ãn. the embodiment of the fILiict schetriaCic shc~Nvn in FIG. 48A.
the moterii-ag p~imp is described w3iy with respecÃ: to secc~~~d fliricl entering ttie cassette through fluid inlet two 4826, the met:oriÃig pump c~~~i easi.ly bypas5 first flLiiti entering t.ho cassette through fluid itll,;::t Oaze. 481Ø Tl-ius, 4lopc.~idi~ig oi3 whether the desired end re5u1t is to 1iave less of thc. 1-i.rst flttid or less of the sec~.~ncl flttid, thi. Ã~ie-teritig pt:trnp and valves tliat cotitroI the flt.tid lines in the cassette c~~~-i per#orm. ac;cordi.ngly to accomplish the res-ult.
In the exem~.~lary fluid flow-path c:Ãii1.~odiiircnt: shown in FIG, 48A, and corresponding s[rtic<ture of the cassette shc}wii in FIG. 49Av valves are ganged such Mat they are actuated at the saiire time. In the preferred eniboclinic:nt, ttiere are four gangs of valves 1.0 4831- 4834, 4836, 483& In the preferr-ect iat-ribodir.>>iei-it:, the ganged valves are, act.tta.Ãe(1 by the same air lÃite. However, iÃ-à other embodiments, each valve lxas its own air (:itte. t.~att.6Ãzgt~e valves as shmvtà in the exemplary embodiment cr~.ates the flr.jid-tlow described above.
fii sorile. erriboclirrient.s. azywir:w the valves also ensures theia.ppropriate valves are opcr:icei atrd closed to clicÃate tlio, fluid path~~~ay:, as desireÃl.
1.5 I:r-i ttie e.xem1>:(ar,,.Y emboclimcr-it, tl:ie Ilitic1 0:~zilve5 are voicarro valves, as described i.ra more detail i.n tltis specification. Alfil-iough the flui~ ~~ow-pat.li scberriatic has ~eezi described witb respect to a particular flow path, in various embodiments, the flow paths c;.aai change based ozi. the a.ctuatiou of the va1ve~ and the pumps. AdditioÃxally, the ter~iis i.nIet: azid outlet as well as first fluid an.c~ secon.~.1 flriiti are tis~,'cl fcir description ptirpc~ses caiily. In otb4r 20 embodi.ments, aÃi ifilet can be an outlet, as well as, a first and sec:.on~.-l flu.id m~~be rlitTe-:reitt fluids or the same fluid types or composition.
Referring r~ow wFIG S. 4 I.O.A-4 I O:l :, the top plate 4.1.000 of the exempl az;y embodiment of the casset:te. is shuwii. Referriy-ig first to FIG5. 4 lt?A
aiitl 4 1OB, the tc~~p view of the top plate 41000.1s sliowti. In the exernl~la y ernbucliment, the pod })t_ar.1-1ps 4820, 4828 "5 and the balziticirzg pods 4812, 4822 on the top plate, are for~i-ied a similzir fiasbioli. In ttie exeÃtiplary ettibocliment, the pocl pumps 4820, 4828 and baIaxici~~g potls 48:12, 4822, w.t1:011 asseriibled witli the kaoit~.~r-ii p_(atei have a ttcita( volur;ie of capacity of 38ml. Il.owcver, i11 various c.rnbodirn~.`nÃs, the total volume capacity ct~i-i bc ~.~r'eater or less than in the cxiraplÃtry errrbodirlrerzt. ThefiY'sà fl.uic.l inlet 48.Ã0 and the second flaicl autl.et 48.I.6 are shown-30 Referring r~ow to l~ [G& 410C intl 41 0D, tlio bottom view of thc tot.~
plate 41000 is sh~owa. The f`Iuisl. pat1-rs are shown i.ri. this -view. `Il-ze,,-,e.{itiFdpaÃ.1iscc?r.respor.ititotlreiltaid paths s~owti. igt FlG. 49B in the midplate 49Ã10. The tc~p plate 41000 aÃid the top of iile nrid.plaÃei-t~~~i-ia the liquid car :f1Ãaid si.de of the.Y cassit#:c.Y for t:lit: potl. pamps 4820, 4828 arit( figr otic side of t~~~c balancing pods 4812, 4822. 'I'hits, most of tlle lflqtiid flow paÃlis are on t:l-ie topandniÃdplates.The other sttie of the balaticiiÃg1~od:s' 4812, 4822 flow p.aths is Iocatecl o-n the inner side o#'the bc?Ã-koin plate. not shown here, sliowii in BUT&
411A-41113.
Still referring to F1GS. 410C asid 410C3, the pod purtip5 4820, 4828 antl, t3r.tl.a~icit~g pods 481.2, 4822 iticlLitie zi ;FY't?ove 41.402. The groove 41002 is sliowaa ha~-ing a particular shape, howevÃ.r, in other emboclimc:nts, thc: shape of the groove 41002 can be any shape desirable. The shape shs}wn. in ls'IG& 410Carid 41 OD is the exenap1a.Ã~y enalaoclinaent. tn all e~~~bodiments c.~frhe groove 41002, the groove forms a pat.t~ betwec:ii the flÃtitl inlet side and.
the flriizl outlet sicie ot'the po~.1 ptttiips 4820, 4828 aiid balarici~ig pods 4812, 4822, '1'1.~e groove 41002 provides a fluid patli wliereby wbexi the ~~~~-iibraiie is at t(le end Ol:
1.0 stroke, there is still a fltiicl pat:h. betweeri the iiilet: and o-utlet 5~ich that t1lG pockets of'fluicl or air do riot sret trapped in the pod puaip or balaricÃng pod. The groove 41002 is izteludecl i.Ã1 botli the liqtkid and air sides o1'Ãlre pod punips 4820, 4828 aiid ba1mcing pods 4812. 4822 (see FIGS. 4t l:l.- 4111:3 with respect to the rÃir5it1.e o-t`t:he pod pa.arat~~ 4820, 4828 and tl~e oppositeside of the baiancing pods 4812, 4822).
1.5 `Ã"(le l.icluict si(l.e. of the pod pumps 4820, 4828 z3~id Nalancin:w pods 48-1 2, 4822, in the exemplary eÃiitiodi~iient, ifielud~ ~ feature whereby the i.Ãilet and outl.eÃ
flow paths are continuous while tlAe otiter ring 41004 is a14o c.ontis-iuoiis. This feature allows fix t1-te seal, t:c~rnied with the membrane (ciot show'i} to be maintained.
Reforriiig to FIG. 41OE, the side vietv of the ~~emplary embodiment ot'the top plat~.~
20 41000 is slYmvu. `l`lie ccnitin-tious outer ring 41004 of the pod puntps 4820, 4828 and balancing pods 4812, 4822 can be seen.
Refi?rririW now to:FI{_'rS. 411.A- 4(1 E, t:he bottom plate 411100 is shown.
Refet~-ing first to FIt:iS. 41 IA aiitl 411 B, the inside su:rt;rce o1`t 1e bot:toi3-i l.~late4114}0 is s'howti. The inside surt'ace is the side that contacts the bnt.tom, surface u-1`ttie niiclp(ate (not shown, ~ee "."? FIGS. 49E). ''he bottcs~~~i plate 41.100 attaches to the air lFes (riot shown). The coa`r~.~spondinÃ~ entrance li.olc.`t for the iiir that actuates t:l-ie pod pumps 482Ã1, 4928 ,:lrit( valves (not s:llowii, see F 1G. 49 E:M} iri the ilridp late can be seen 41106, Holes 41.108, 4I :1..1.('3 correspond to the second ll.iiid inlet antl second fluid outlet shown in I"IGS. 49Gt 4824, 4826 respectively. T1-ic corresponding baNes of the po(l putrips 4820, 4828 atid bahanc:i.Ãig 30 pods 4812, 4822 are also showii, as. ar~.~ the grooves 41112 for the ffltiici pat.lis. Unlike tlie top plate, the bottom plate corresponding halves of the pod pu~~ips 4820, 4828 'and balartcing, pods 4812, 4822 make, apparetit: the d1f1=er~.~~ce. betweeal tlle pod ptim1~~ 4820.:
4828 antl balancing pods 481.2i 4821 The pod pumps 4820, 4828 includu ori1.y a a:ir path t3zi tl-ie sec,c~~id ha1-f_.in tlie bottom p:(aÃej while the balancing, pod 4812.
48221~ave idetiÃic-al pocts 4812, 4822 balance coaasrÃuctioat rca the htÃlf in r1io top pltate. Agaiia, the balancing liquid, thus, botla 51des of the nwnibrane, ziot sliowxa, will include a liqt-id fluzcl patla, wl3il'e the pcxtl punips 48209 4428 ~t-c pa`essaarc pL3mlas that paa:Ã~ip l.iclaaidw thus, one s:ide iaaela.actes a liqLaitl tlttid parth.ancl the other side, shown iaa the bottom plate 41100, inclxades an air actuation chamber or air tltaitl ~. aa.rh, l:n tlae exenaplaRf e.anbodinaerai ot'tlae cassette, ser.asoa' c;leriieaits aare izat:orpoa`ated iaatc3 the cassette so as to discea`ai varioEÃs properties ofTthe fluid beiaig t.~Ãaaiipc:d. in t~~io embodiment, the tlaree seaiscir elements are iaacl-tidea.l, 1n the,~
exeanplary eanboeliarti.'iat, tl-ae seÃ-asor elenaents are located in ti-ae sensor cell 41114. The cell 411:14 accommodates three 1.0 sensor elements in the setasor element I'ac?tasitag5 41116, 41118, 41120.
In tt.te iax~.an-1ptary embodinteatt, M, o of the senscrr laousiat~g.s 41:1.16, 4V1 -18 accommodate a e~.~tacluctivity selasor element aaicl f1ie third sensor element boa_isi~ig 41.1.20 accommodates a teÃiiperature seÃiscar eleÃ:neaar. :t l~~ ~c~Ãacla~ctie ia~Y w~~~s~~.r el.~.a~a~r.ats ~~a~~
t~~aal~~r~~raar~ ~~aascar ~l~aa~~z~ts ~~~z l~~ rrrae conductivity or temlaerature, sensor e1ernents in the art. 1n oÃie embodiment, the c::onductÃvity 1.5 setasor eIenien.t.s are ti:a-ap(ure pc}sts. In catl:ae.r emlanditi-ae.axts, the conductivity sezaGCai: elera-ze.aa.r4 are posts made trofn sta.italess steel, tÃtaniÃ,am., plafi-Ãia.a~ii or ~~-iv other metal coated to be f:oarosi.ran resistant ai-acl still be clzt:tricall3> conductive. The t;oncltactivit-,r sensor cl~.~ai-aes-ats will include ~.~,Ãi. electrical lead that transmits the prolie -infca-rat.Ãation to a controller or other device. In c.xa-ac eÃa-abcaciiÃa-aent, tlic. temperature sensor is a t1ieraiiisrer pcatt.4'd, in a stainless steel 20 probe. However, iÃia.lternat.e eztiboclÃmentss a c,o.Ãxab Ãna:tion temperature and conductivity seaisor elements is used sÃnn'lar to tlio one described in co6petidiiag U.S.
I'atezlt Applzcatio11 eaatit(ed 4ea.ÃsorA1?parataa.s Systems, De-vices~ and Meihnds f-_ilecl October 12, 2007 (DEKA-024XX), l.Ta this eya~~odinientr the sensor cell 41.1.14 is a single opening to the -t`I.aaitl line or a "."? s.iaatyle e.on.t-aectiorz to tla:e fluid liDe.

In alternate ea`nbodiraaonts, there are. citla~.ar a-io ::ea'isors M. tl`a[:
c:..assorte or oaaly a.
tenil3eratu.ra~ ~ensor, o-tiIy otae or more coaarlutt.ivitv :se.Ãi:sors of or~e or more of aziotlaer type o:t, selasor.

Still aefe.r.ringto FIGS. 411A and4l. I l3, the actuation side of the zneteriaagptaaup 30 4830 is also shown as well a.s tla~.~ corresponding air caastraaic~.~ 1io1e 41106 for the air that actuates t la e paa.rnp.
Referring now to FIGS. 41 IC and 411D, tlae outer side of the bnttoxal plate 41100 is slZowÃ:a. Tlac. valve, pod pa.amps 4820, 4828 and ia.let.erir.ag paua:lp 4830 <`aia- l.i~~e connection points 41122 areslaown. Again, the balaarcing, lic:acla 4812, 4822 do .not ha-~,e aiT I.ÃtaC

coamection poinisa.s they are not actiiatcd b%y air, As well, the corresi?c?nding c~periil-igs in tl-re bottor.ri plate 41 l00 lor the seconrl tluid oittlei 4824 aarid second Nicl iziiet 4826 are shown.
Re.tcr-rÃng iiow ts? :FIG. 411 E, a side v i.e~~ of thebcatt.oÃii plate 41.1 00 is shown. 1.11 the side vrew, the rirai 41124 that sttrrc?trnds the ir3iicr bottorii platc 41100 c~~i be sc:~en. The rim 4.1. t24 is raiseci and c;onti.t~trc~r.rsr ~~rc~v i.di~~4p .[~t).~~ a c:.~~.~~.~.c:t l~oi~~.t. for t~~.~. ~~-~~.r:Ã~:l~ra.Ãl:~: (not sh(iwti). The r-iicriibrane rests ori this c.~.~ntiriuotizs ~~id raised rirli 41124 providing for a seal beiween the lizilf of ttie pod pumps 4820, 4828 a.rir.l ba.krric:ing potls 4812, 4822 in I.lie t3ottor1l piate 41100 arrd ti-ie half of the pod ptrrrips 4820, 4828and balazj cang pods 4812, 4822 in the 1.0 top pI.tte (rzot showri, sc~.~ FIGS. 41OA-410C.3).
7.1 N-lembraries Irt tlie exemplary embodinientti the membrane is a double oaririgmembrane as sizowÃi.
in FIG. 6A. :1-lnG~~ever, in some embodiments, a dor.ibie o-ring znernbrane hav irrg textrrre, iriclrrcling: but not linii.t.cd to, the variotls embodiments in 1~1GS. 6B-6F
may be r.rse~.~.

1.5 ~.~wefe.r.rIn.-; [3E?1G' t.(? FIGS. 41 2A ai.ici 41 ~-~~..13, the as,-,e3'i~ibled exemplary eTnbodITne:t3t of the cassette 4.1200 is showri. FICiS. 412Cand 412I3 are exploded views of the exempiw-y ~.~mbo(iimea-it z31'the cassette 41200. Th~.~ membranes 41210 ar.e ;howi-r. As can b4 se~~-i from FIG S. 412C and 4 121), there is one membraiie 41220.far each of the pods prflr~lps a.Ãl~.-~
balancing pods. In the exemplary embodiment, Ãh~,~ rnembrane for th~,~ pocl pumps Rar-aci the 20 balancing pods are ideririca.i. 'l`he riaeÃ~ibrarie in the exempla.Ã~
embod.imeÃit is adoitble o-ring membrane as ~~owri in FiGS. ~.~A-6B. However, in alterÃiate embncliments,any double o-ring membrane may ~e used, iticl-ricl:ir-ig, bE,t nni lin-rzt:ccl to, the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 6C-6F. However, in other enibodi ieiits, the double o-ring membrane is r.ised in the ba:lancia;l pods, btr.t a si.n.gle cr-ri.rrgi-nc:n~~ibranc, as shown in. FlGS. 4A-4D is used "."? iti the pod pitr-i-rjis.

The nieraibrane used iti t:lac metering pump 41224, irl the prefer-reti Gmt3odimerit, is sh~own.iri more detail in wit[i a1Ãerriate cr;ibodFri-i~iits shc~w.ii .Ãn FIGS
5t:, :>F and 514. Tiic membrane used iti tl-ic valves 41222 is stl~~~~i-i in more detail M.
FIG. 2E, wi.th.
aItemate enilaodirnc.rIts shc?WD. in FIGS. d:l?-~~'t:'s. I-1:owever, .irr a.lternate embradii-ric.nts, t~le 30 metering , pump mcmbranc as well as the v;:ilv~.t membranes may contain tcxtures, tt.ir exaniple, but r7oÃ: limited to, the textitres shown orr the pod pump/bal.anc.inr pod n-mrz~tiranes shown in FIGS. 5A-5D.

Otre c~-iiibratii-iiierri of the conductivity sensor elements 41214, 41216 aaid t.1;ic temperature sensor 41218. wh.ich make ~ip the serisf,r cel 141.212, are zilso shown. i1.1 FIGS.

412C ttr-ici 412D. Still referring to FIGS. 412C ~~id 412D, the sensor c:ellhcrttsing 41414 includes xi-reas on the t3critoy-zi plate 41.1.00 aiid tlie r:tiidpizite 4900.
O-rirags sezil the sellso:r housing 4_1.414 frc~rn the f1uid lines locirted oti t:l-ie: trp~er sit3e o-t'the m:idpla1:o 4900 s1~owzl irl FIG. 41 2C". and the inner side of Ãl.rc top plate 41.000 shown in 1:="I:C"F.
41 2D. 1-1owe~er, in (ither er~iboilimÃ.tits, ari oaririg is molded into the sensor cell, or any other method of sealing can be Ã~sed.
r.~. "" Cross Sr':ctiona1Views , R~ferrifrg ritrw to FIGS. 413A-413C, :~axiola.~ cross sectional views o1'the asseiribletl cassette are shc?i~,n. Reterriii4~ :1:irst toFI(:1. 41 ')A, tlie r-aie:mbratie41 220 is sliown.itia 1.0 balancing prrrd 48:1.2 aratl a pocl pttri-i1.-~ 4828. As can be ser;:r-i f:rorn the cross ser;:t.ion., the double o-riÃi;D ot'the membrane 41220 is sariclwicl~~d by the midplate 4900, tkre bottom plate, 41100 and the top 1~late 41 00W
1Ze.ferTir-IM Ã-IOW to:f"K'r. 41313,. the two conductivity sensor elemerats, 4I21.4, 41216 atiÃl the tegiiperature sonsor element 41 21.8are shown. As can be seeri 1`rorii the rvrosy 1.5 section, the secrsor- elements 41214, 41216, 4.1.218 are in the -ilriid lixae 41302. ':I'1rrrs, tlle sensor elements 41214, 41216, 41.2.18 are in fluid connection with t~ie t`~rrzid litle a~id s: all d~.'.t'.rlllriio sensor itata of the first flidd t'=TICf'r #ng the first fl#rid r131t't 4810. Referring IiC3w to FIC:i. 413C, this cross sectional vie,"r shows the meterÃzig ptimp 4830 as well as tlle structure of the vÃtl ves.
20 As described above, the ex~.ymp'trr-y embod-iment is one cassette embodiment z(iat incorporates tlie exer~ipIary fltrÃd f'~ow-1aatli sel~~~iiatÃc slicrwÃi in FIG. 48A. H~.~wever, there .ire alternate embodiments nt'thr; cassette tliat inr.o.Ã-lsorate Tila.Ãxy of 1.1-ie same features of the cxemplaÃ`~~ embodiment, bEÃt in a different structural desigi1. Additionally, there are alternate er-nboclir-r~ent t'Iriid flow pattrsr tor exar.r-rp1e, the -ftuid flow pii-th Scl-Ber-natic shown ir-r 1s 1G.
"."? 4' 813. 'I'he altrvrriaÃ:~ embc?r:limei-it cassette structure correspondin;7 to Ã:Iris schematic. is shown in FiGS. 4.1 4A- 4 1,9.
Referring r~~ow tr.~ :F1GS. 4I4Ar4141 ,views of an a(terrrate enibr3di.nlent:
of the to}) plate 41400 are sboo~,n. Theteatures of the top plate 4:I.400 are XrltGrnatri.
~.ar~abod:iment.s of iD the eXerr-113la.r7~1 crilbodiment.
3tt Riferriris~ ~~ow to FIGS. 41 5A-41 5E, views of an aIterna~~ embodiment of th~.~
ri.ridplatrr 41.500 are shnwn. _F4GS. 416A-4] 6E show views of an altemat:e er-nboclinlenà of tlie bottom plate 41600.

Reterring now to FIGS, 417A-417B, an t~~semt?led altemate iii-ibc?diÃ~~~i-it of the cassette 41713+11 is >hmvi.,. FIGS, 417(:" 4171) sllnw. exploded views of t:lie cassett~ 41700.
FlG. 417F is a cross sectional viow of the assembled cassette 41700, Re.terrÃng iiow ts? FIGS. 4I.&A-42213, another alternate enabc?tlinicat of the cassette i.s shown. In this enr1~~odimeiit* when tlio caSsette iS ;~~sernl.~led, aS
51iow1iirl FIGS, =1211A-421B., the plates 4.1800, 4.I 9fl0r 42044 are sealetl 11-c~rn each other wsi.Ãlg gaskets. Referring to FIGS, 42 1C-42 1'. D, the gaskets 42110, 42112 are shown. This embc?t.liment. adtlitionally includes Trienibran~,~s (itot sliowrt). FIG. 421-A is a. cross sectional view of the asse:rnblecl cassette, the iYasli:ets 42110, 42112 relatioii to the assembled cassette assembl4= is sliown.

1.0 7. 33 l:xernpI~~~y EtribodimcYntsol the Bat,.tr.~~:~i~~~3 t,~~s~ttG
The painpittg a;a.ssette c;ai7 be used. in amyz'iad of appl-ications. However, in one exemplary embodiment, tlie, pumping cassette is used to balatice fitii~ going iiit~.~ tlle, first fl .id i.rilet aticl out the first t7tiid c?-Litlct: wit:(-i .{iLiicl comii.lg irate? the cassette t:hrwqs,la the ~~coiid tluzd inlet and exiting the cassette throu..gl~ tlie secc?Ãid t'luid outlet (or vice versa).
1.5 The l> mpiiiw cassette additionally provides a met:eririg purilp to renlcsv~ a volume of flriid prior tk) that volLiiiie affectiix4 ttie balancing chaniberS or adds a vc?lui3ie of fluid prior to the fluid affecting the. balancing c bantbers.
.I,he 1~uniping cassette inay lae tiSecl in app(icat.Ãat wliere it is critical tliat two fl'tiiel vfialtimeS are bal~nceci. Also, t1~epur.liping cassette impar.-ts thc! extrRr functionality of 20 metering or bypassÃtig afluiti: out of ttie fluid patliõ or ad.d.Ãrig a volume ot'the Sanie fltiid or a cliffereiit flm.d into the tlt?id patli. The flow paths Shoe~-n in the schernatic are bzad:irectional, and various flow paths r-ii<iy be created by chan,-i.ng the valve locations aticl ot cc3titrn15, or adding or re~ioviÃ~g valves. Adtiitiotially, more meteririg pLimp5> pod ptrnil~s anclr'or balancing pods may be added, as well ~~- more or less fluid paths and valves.
s'1dtliÃinnal.ly, "."? itilet:s ancl. outlets may be added as well, or the number of let:s or outlets z~~av be redtiL~ed.
O~~e exariiplo is using the plimjaing G~~~set:t~.a as at3 inrit, r dirtl.ysa#.e cassGtt:c as part t?i'Ãt hemod?alysi> ;vstem. (_'Ieat-i dialysate wc?LEld er-iter the cassette throuOh the t'iBt :(luici i-alet a?id pass t.hrÃ.?-uglt the sonsor- elerricsit.s, checking i.f'tl?e dialysate is at the coai-Gct:
concentration aD(1 `o.t- temperature. This d.ialysate would ptiss throtagh the balancing 30 chambers ~nd ~~ pumped throu<Fli the first tIriicl outlet and ii1to a clialyzer. T1i~.~ second fluid ill tIlis. Case is used or.ir.nlsllre dialysatet:rt?rn the dialyzer. This ;:econd f~tiid would enter tl~roLt9lt tlie second fluid inlet aiid balance w ith tl~o cleati dialysate, sticli tliat tlle aÃ~~ount of tlial~sate that goes int<3 t1-ic dialyzer is oquat to the amo-unt that come5 out.

The nictiring pr.iÃr~p may be tiseÃ.t to remove adctit.irarral used dialy'sate prior to that vcaiuixie being accounted for in a balancira~..~ chana.lae.r, tlirts, creating a "false" taala.iicizag ihaÃriber f-hrcarigl"r arZ tilÃ:~~a filtration (.:UP) bypass. The situation is crer:tt:cd. where l.~.Yss clean dialysate by a vo1Et.ta.re eqtraled to the bypassed VcaWrTr.e Will. CrrtCr the tlialyzer.
In this eraibodirirent, the valves controlling fluid corrr7ectiogis to the balancing pca~~
shall be or~iented staclr that tbevolC~1_110 fie'Mirre o.['the valve.Ãs on the f1ui.c~ port c;mrrrected to the balancing pod. This orientation directs most of tlae, fltzicl displrice~.i by the -valve as it is thrown away froni. the balayrt::ir~~ pod.
The valves coniroilizr;, fluid connections to the UF pump shall be oriezrÃcci sucli that 1.0 the exen~plarv embocliment, the nonaina[ stroke volrtiiie, of each insi~.-~e dialysate pump chamber shall be 381111.. '-l'lae nomizial vcatriria~. of each balazacingpod.
shall be 3smi. `I'lie stroke volume of the t:JF'para3p siazall. be .l .:? ml 1-l _ 0.05 mi_ `l:"l-ac inner dialy.sz3te purnla low_ pres:sure pnouniaÃic variable valves s~ial1 verit t:o amlaÃeiat atriiosplieric presstire. This 1.5 arc.tiitecetr.re Beat.ure mi.nimize:; the chance th.at dissolved gas- will leave the dialysate while inside of the balancing chambers. Other volumes of pod punr}as, balancing pods and metering pumps are ca~sil~' cli;~~:era:~~.~al~.~ a~YÃ~:l ~;x>c~~,tlct ~~z~:r~~
~l<~1:~<~i1c1iiag on the a:~Islic:ati~a~r.
Additionally, al.tbovtoh the em'iaodiÃiiezrt described discusses venti.m= to ambient, in other applications, negative laressttr'e can be admiralst.=ci, 20 In various enibcael.Ãn~ents of the e:a.ssettes the valve architecture varies in order to alier the l`'fuid tlow patta. Additionally, the sizes of the pod pumps, mete_ria~g, pump ~ii~.-1 balancing pods rnay also vary, as well as the r.rrrrnber fst`v:~lves. pod pumps, Met.eriarg pumps a:icl balaracirig p~.~ds. Althcatrgti in this e:.nilaodimera.t, the valves are volcano valves, in otlaer errabiaclirnerrts, the valves are riot volcano valves and in, somc:
ernbvclimc.nts aresÃ-riooth surface a:alves.

8. Excr-tiplary erriboc3imcsit c?f"t:li.o Cassette System :lraÃegz~r:ttÃ.YtI

As described above, a rrai x irag cassette may Lae tivcd to mi.x dialysate, and t:l-icr-i serici the dialysat.ca to a storing vessel or res~.~rvcair. The rrridciie:, also cal lud. thc.~ outer tl.iah sate, cassette provides a VeDt for a C;43r1t'c7.1i3ef and a variety [JfflL3.Ed lines ar.l(i 13or1.:i, and the 30 balancing c.assctÃc, provides a system for l:aa~laritirrg the v~.alti.me of flLiid tlaat e:gatcrs a cassette in one directio~i with it1-~e volÃrrne that ezrters the cassette in arrot:l' ez- direction. Additi.onallyr tlie balancing cassezte Provides a metering function, wlaere a vcaltrr~~e of fluid from cane direction r-ia~~v be l.aurnped ttacti that it bypasses t:hc.Y balancing c3i<`rmlaers aaid. rloias not affect tl-re laalancim, vc?_lumes_ In some embcatlimer-it.s; these t:b.ree s:
assettes may be combi.ned irito a st%stem, Fluici lines c:wi, connect the cassettes sLic.h that a cassette system integrat~.'ci is forr~~ed. However, varior:rs l-zc~~~s can ~~e difficult to manage and also, get tang led, removed froni the poi-Ã; cai- the cor3~i-oc[ivr-i may be disrupted in one cx:l'= a.
variety of ways.
Oi-as; en-ibotiirrient of this worild be to sUnply c;onr:rect the flrrid lir.res. f-1~~~~~ever, in the exemplaÃy embodiment, the three cassette exenip1ary fluid flow-path stl'ic.matiesare ronibUied into a cxisetÃe device which i-iirtkes the system, rrits~~e co.nipact and also, there are benefits with re`Ã?:cx to manufacture.
In aii ~,'Xer~lpl.~~ ernti(-)riir~~ienÃ. of this the c~~sette,~ system integrated, the three cassettes are c;ornbirredirl cui efficaeziÃ, sÃarid alone, cassette system.
"1'1ie flrrid:flowrpath 1.0 scheÃriat:ics showri aiitl, ti~.`scrib~.~ci above wi.th. reSp~.act. to the -vt:rrior.as individual cassettes rrre combrned. 'I'hus, in Gori-re cases, fluid lÃz~~s may be In rwil dÃff'eretri cassettes to save space or efficiency, but in tact, Ã.~~e fl'tiid lines follow zx~~iiv Ãat-t:lie same patl:zs as s}iowii in the sc(-remai-ics.
.T,he fluid flow ---path for the exemplary embodÃ~~~~tit of tl:ze c i&sette system 1.5 integrated is sl-rown in FIG. 1 540A. 'I'his, fluid flow-pat:h is shc~~~~~-i wi.th. a blood czrcuit. fluid flowrpat1i also Ãrieluc1ed_ .!'-hus, in otte embtad.Ãi-iieriÃ, the cassette syste.Ãxi itxtegrate~.-~ may be titied in connection with a he3i7.od1a.1yS3s system. For description pL13"pC)SE'.$t the L;.-~~set.t('.
systeri-r .irite;Dt~ated is des~~r-ibed below with respect to a 1~eÃ~tc~dia.l~~~i: s~~te~~., i.e., a system iiic(Lrdir1~ a cassette system that mixes dialysate, tr(uisporÃs dialysate ar-ict balances the 20 voltime of clialNsate betorearad after flowing through a dialyzer. `I'he cassette system inteax;raÃ.e~l rtr~.~~ be used in ~.or~jrrnctÃorr with hemodÃalysÃs systems and ri1ethods for exarnple, similar to the beartod.ialysa> systems and methods described in the LJzi.Ãted 4taies, 1'aÃeiit A~.~plicrttiori eYiÃitled Hemodialysis Systeriis and Metl7ot~~
(AtÃorniy:Docket No.
D0570.7001 9L]SOf1), w}.iiclr i4being file(i orr even date l-aerewi.th, and is hereby ir.rcuq)c?ratecl "."? by retereiie.e in its eriÃ:irety.

Reft:rririÃ-~ r-iÃ.gw to FICi4. 50Ã3.A-50Ã313.. ~i-ie: embodimÃ.Ynt. ol"tht trlixing cassette of the cassette s_yst:em.i~ showri. Referring to Ft:GS. 600A.-600B., one ~rnbodi.nienà of Ãlie middle cassette for the cassette systerii is sl:tcrwri. Fi.i-ialtv., r'ul-er.rirtg to FIGS. 70{3A-700:1-3, one ernbodirzlerzà of the bakancirtg cassette for the cassette sysÃc::m is show.Ã1..
30 1Z~ferriiig r~ow to F[G. 1800A, ch~.~ a.ss~.'nabled cassette system ir rteg.,rateci is S1 rowtl.
The ni.Mirrg cassette 500, nudci:le cassette 600 azid Walzu3c.iu~ ~zisset.Ãe 700 are l.i.n:ked by fluid lines or conduits. The pods are between the cassettes. ReferrÃng rrow to P':[GS. 800B and 800Gr the various views show the e#'#'icferrc:;' of the cassette system integrated. TI;ietluid Ia.iies or condrrlts :1.200, 13Ã1~Ã'E, 14{30 are shown 111t~~IG. 1 20U, :I7IG.
1300 an:d:(j'lC_;. 1400 6 :.~

reslaectivcly, Tlrc fluid flows betweeii the cassettes t17rcyugh these fluid lines or conc1uits.
Referring now to F1.G'S. 1200 and 13 00: these fluid lirrcs or cc.ndu.its represent larger 1300 and srn,tl.lor 1200 chec:k. valvet1Ãaitl lirres. In t-hc.Y exernplar-y ertr.bcjÃlirtr:4nÃs th~.a cflGc}: valvos are duck bitl. valves, lrowever, i.n otlrea~ ~~~iboÃlulac:_nis, any Ã:liÃ:ck va.lvc.-r:iav be used.
Referring to l~'IG. 1400, fIEÃid l'.iric or conciuit. 1400 is a tltzfcl lirre or ccirldÃiit that does rrot rOTrta.irr achec:k valve. For pÃir:.poses of this desÃ:-rlpt.ion, the ternis "fluid line'. arid. <`Ã;ondÃrit`' are rrset.l wit.li respect to 1200, 1300 arid 1400 interchangeably.
Ret`err-irrg riow to FIGS. 800B and SOt3C, arirf FIG. 1500A, ttte f:ollowiri;f is zr elescription of oÃ-re crnbodirnent cal'the fluid:flc>w tlirouc, :lr. tlic various cassettes. For ease of 1.0 tlescrifation, the fl:tÃid flow will ~.3cgitr. with t-tr.c mix-.iras4 ctrs,,scÃ-tt: 500. R4fGrx-:ittg rra", to FlG.
SO(1B and FIG. 1500.1., the tlÃrid side of tlae m-ixiti;p cassette 500 .is sl~own. "I-lte flu.id side includes a. plurality of ports 8000, 8002, 8004, 8006, 8008 aÃid 8010¾8026 that are either flÃr.id i.rrleis or -f Itrid oÃrtleÃ.s. I.ii. the Var.i0Ãrs embociimerrts, -tlre .f'iÃiid inlets and orrtlets may iÃrclrrcl.e oÃie or riiore tlu:id inlets for reverse osmosis ("RO") water 8004, bicazbotiate. arr 1.5 acicf, arrcl aclial~~saief3tf4}6. Also, one or more fluidnÃrtl.cts, i.Ã-rc.ludin:w a drain, acid 8002 arid at least orrc air veÃit oÃrt.let as t_lic vent fior tt~e dialysate taÃil;..
:In Ã?flic: embodiment, a tube (not shcrw-r) laar1gs off the otrtlet andis the veiit (to 1~~eveni.
conta:minrttio~ni. Acltl-itiona.1 outlctis t:Ã~r watcr, bÃcarb and water Ã-rr.ixtÃire, dialysate mixture (kr~car-b with acid aii~,-1 water added) are also incltretÃ,'Ãl.
20 The dialysate flows orÃt of the mixirig cassette 500, to a dialysate taiik (not showrr>
slrowÃr as 15021 in l^ 1G . 1500A) and then through a canduÃt to the iarrier dialysate cassette 700 (pumped by tl-rc outer dialysate cassette 600 pod pÃrrnps 602 and 604 (604 not shown, shown in FIGS. 800D and 800E). The tltiid p;rths within the cassettes may ~~~ry. Tl3tts, tl-te location ot`thc various irrlct and otnlets rnay vary with various cassette fluid pat:Er&
"."? [00021 Rcferr-in9 i-row t~.~ :EtI(_;. 15041:-3, orre embod.ir~~er~at of the cassette sy:~ieÃ~~. tlrt condo cells, conductivity and tenipcratÃare serisors, are included in a separate cassette 15504 oritside of'tlie cassette sr~st.ei-rr slres.~~rr in I~`IC:r~S. 800~~~. ---8f.t~} C. 'I'Iris outside sensor cassette ~
1504 may be Ã:grrc of thoso clesc:rabed M United States PxÃtÃ.Ynt. Application Serial No.
12:038,474 entitled Sensor Apparatus Systerns, Devices anÃ1 ',\,l:etlrotls (A
tt.orr.rey Docket No.
30 F63) which is being i-ÃI~.'cl oYi even date herewith and is hereby incorporated 1ay referetit,c in its .f,hc fluid t~ow-laath for this cmbotlitrierrt is sIrowrt in F[cs. 1500B.
1n this t.rnbodirrierZt, during tl:rernixi.ng process fior.- the dialysate, the bicr:Ãrb mixt-Ã,r~.a lG,:t-'.>es thÃ.Y
rnia.irrs cassette 500 and l"lÃaws to an orrÃside serrsor cassette, and Ã:her-i flows back irito ttie mixim, cassette 50Ã). Il'ihe bicarb mixtttre meets pre-established thresholcis, acid is th~.'ii added tc) tlie blcaub mixta:tre. Next, once the b1cart3 azid acid are mixed.in the rzlixizrg chamber 5%06, the dialysate flows otit of t:l$c cassette into the sensor cassette and ÃliGrt back to ttre nr.ix.ing cassettc. 500.
Referring now to FI+G. SOOD, the mixirr.g cassette 500 inclÃtcie a ~.~ric:uma:Ãic actuation side. 111 ttre block. shown <as'54flry iher'e~~re a plurality of valves ancl two pumpi.-rg clrari~bers 8030, 8032 build into tirc cassette 500 for pttrnpiirg or metering the acid or bicarb. It3 some embodiments, additional meter-irrs~ punr.t.~s, or less t-ne.te,'r.irig p-w~ipa, ai4 irr.ctud.ed., The meterirr. pumps 8030. 8032 cay-i be aiay size desired. IÃi some embo~.~inrezrts, tlre pumps zire 1.0 tlil'ft.~~ent sizes wi[li rospcct to oarc anot.lrer, tr.owe-ver, irt other ertrbcjÃli.rtrorr.ts; t1ic pti:mps ar~.a the same sixe with respect to otte aÃ-totl-ter. For exatriple, in ox~e embodimetit, the acid pt~iiip is s~iml:ler than the bicarb ptinap. '['hi::, may be more efficient aard etfective w}ie~i usirig a higher concentration acid, as i.t may be desirable tt) iise a sri-ialler ptrmp for accuracy arici also, it may be desirable for control schemes to ~~~~~ ~ smaller tytatia.t) so as to tise ftili strokes 1.5 in the c.c3zr.t.rol rather than partial strokes.
The cortcltr.its 1200, 1300 iarclude i c.heck-s~ ~lve. These conduits 1.200, 1300 allow for z3n~.~-wav flow. 1n the exemplary ~.~tzibc3d:inlent, these t:ondaits 1.200. 1300 <i.111ead to drain. Retetrino to the flow-patb 5c1tematic :FIG. 1500A, tli~ locaÃio-tis of these ch,eck-~~~~~~~e coa-icit.iits are apparent. In the embodiment shown, ar1v fluid that is meant tor drairr flows 20 tlirotigiY the irtiXiÃ10 cassette 50W Referring at,ain to FICi. 800B, a t7t-id drain port 8006 is located on the flitid side of t.~~~ cassette 500.
Otice t(-ic d.ialys-ate is tzi.Ãxed_ azrd after the dialysate flows to the sezr.sor cassette (1504 in FIti. I500B) arid it is detennirred that the ~~ialysatc is not withi~~ set parameters,,' tlaresl:iolds, tlicil the dial.ysaie will be punipecl back~ into the mixing cassette 500, Ãl.irc?uglr. a "5 plaÃrr conduit 1400 Ãlieti tt~s the oirÃ~r dialysat:e cassette 600, then back t1r.rough s: orrd-LÃi.t a check valve conduit.1.2~~ arrtl tb~.`rr through t:hÃ.Y tni:ii.ng cassÃ.Ytte:~00 to the drain fluid outla Re{=erring Ã~~ow toFIGS. SOOD arrd SOOE, the various pods 502, 504, 506, 602, 604, 702, 704, 706, 708 are sl:iowyr. Eai.ti of the po~.~ housings are constructed identically, }rowevc.r, the inside of the pod housing is di.~"erent depending on wbc:thCr the pod is a pod 30 ptu-np 5132. 504, 602, 604, 702. 704 a. bctlancing chamber pods 706, 708 or a 13iixing chaj.nber pod 504.

Referring now to FIGS. SOt.tD aiid SOOE, together witli FIG. 1500A and 1500B, tlie various tao(ls are ;bowi-i both irr the fltÃid tlow-pat}i <r.trt.~ on the cassette system. Pod 502 is tl~~e water pod pitr-i-~ii and 504 is the bicaab water pod punrp (seard;:
wtiter to the bicazb.) of the mixim, cassette 500. Poci 506 is the mixing c.hamber, OÃic e the dialysate is mixed. in tht.~
mixing chaniber 506, aÃ-iÃ.~ Ã1iei7 flows :fizom Ã:1ie mixhig cassette 500 to the setisor ezi5sette 1504, antl it is determined [hf.tt tl-ie dialysate qualifies as acceptable, ttter.t the dia.lysat~.a flows t the tlÃaCysate taDk. 1502 throttgli the mixi.ÃÃg cassette clialysate tank c.3-LÃtlei: 1lc7weveÃ-, if the dia.lysa.te is rend_ored ttnÃtc.ceptÃÃ1~,le, then the fluid is pÃÃmpe~~ back iÃito the cassette 50Ã.1, then thrOÃÃ~;lz a 1400 cotidliit, (c) the oLÃ-eÃ- dialysate ca:ssc::tte 600 ancl tbc;r.Ã pLÃmpecl through a .I200 cIiick valve conduit, through the iiiixing c:ii:ssette 500 and out the draiÃi outlet.
ReIerririg to FIGS. SOOA.-~~OC, together with FIGS. 150OA-B, tlre outer tiia.lysati.~
cassette is shown 600 betweey-i the ~-nixing cassette 500 and tlie inner dialysate cassette 700.
1.0 Pod pLr-iii13; 602, 604, pu~~~~ the dialysate frt~in thc.Y tiialysaÃ.u t.aii.lC 1502 and s~.ari(i it to t1Z~.a balancing chambers 06,708 in the iÃ-tner d.ialysat~ cassette 700 (driving force for the cllalvsaÃe solution). The otiter dialysate cassette 600 pus1ies the dialysiÃe, iaitn the zxiiier clÃa1V.saie cassette (.i.e., the p mps in ti-ie zi-ir-ier dialySKiie cassette 700 do i.iot clra\t- the dia.tysat~ ~ii). f('hus.1'rom the outer dialysate cassette 600, the dialysiÃe is pumped from the 1.5 clialysaee, tacik 1502. t;h.Ã-ough a heater .1506 and through KizÃ
ultraffit.er .1.~?08, and then i.Ãi.to the iÃiner dialysate cassette 700.

Still referring now to F1:C'iS. SOOD and 9Ã30F;, together with FiGS. 150Ã?A-1=3, tl:-Ãe itiaY~~r dialysate cassette 700 iÃielLÃdes aÃiiete.Ã-Ã~~g pod 8038 (i.e., aÃi ultra fiiltraÃiozi meterirÃg pod) aÃit.l inÃ:.ItÃcles balancing pods 706, 708 and. pod, pumps 702, 704, The inÃier dialysate 20 cassette 700 also iÃielLitl:es fluitl oritlets a.Ãid inlets. These iniets aÃ-ad orflt(ets inc(ude the outlet to the, dialyzer 21,910, the ullet from the dialyzer 1510, atid. a d:iilvsite inlet (tl~e, ultrafilter 1508 cc3:tl.necis to a port of theIr.aner dia.1vsiit:e cassette). l"liÃid inlets z~iid outlets are also included for thc, DC:~ and DCV connections during prFmitig and disinfection.
Various conduits (1200a1300,1400) serve as fluid connections between the cassettes 500, 600y 700 and are itsed for dialysat:e flu.id flow as well as fluid to pass through i.Ãi. order to drain tha'ortgl'i the Ãnixing c'assetÃo 500. The largest check valve 1:300 (also ;htrwts :in FIG. 1300} is the largest c:1leck-valve; aÃid is ti:~ed during disi~~~~ecti.on. "t'h.is t:tÃbe is lar~-er in order to accoryu-no(l.ttc., in the 1.~~-of~.`t-r~.~cl ernboclirnent, blood clots arid 0t:31er coal Ãr.tmi~~ants tht.tt. .llow thrOÃÃ~;lz tl-as: conduits during disinfection.
30 The valves aÃitl ptiÃnt.~s of-th~.~ cassett~.~ svstimare pÃ1euÃi-Ãatically actuated in t~~~
exeÃr.iplary errlbod.iment. T1.Ãe pyÃeÃaniatics ait.ach, to the cas;;ettes via .ind.ividua1. tLÃbes, `I'l{us, each pr.imp, balancing pod., or valve includes azi individual ÃÃ.ibe eoiizxectioÃi to a prieurnatie acttg~ttic~~~ ~i.i,triiftild (noà Slaown). R.~.`:f-errir~~ ~~~~Av t:L} ~IGS. t fi0OA-F, the tubes ar~.~ connet:t:ed, iri the exemp[ary~ embodi~~~~i-it, to at least one block, 1 6()(?. IFi some embodiments, more than osie, blc.xck. is used, to cortiiect the variorÃs tubes. The block 1600 is ctr~pped. z1-ito the manifold and theri connected to the pÃaeLu"ti:a:Ã-ics actuators appropriately.
'1 liis allows :(=or easy cont~ection. of t1-ic pÃieÃar-Ã:irkt:ic t.u_be. to the manifold.
Re.terrÃr~g aga.ir.Ã to FI:C~8SI3ODn the cassette syst.c::rn irielueies springs 8034, ir.Ã one embodiment, to aid in holding the systein togetlie:r. The springs 8034 hook or3to the mixiÃig cassette 500 aÃ-icI inner diaI~sc-ite cfi4setÃe 700 via cziiches 8036.
l:tt~~~~~ever, i.n otlier, eÃi-ibÃadiÃ~ieÃits, any ot-.~ier means or apparatus to assist in maintaining the system in appropÃ-iate orientation r~~ay, b~,~ r.ts~.'ci inclucl.ing,bÃ,tt riot limited to, latching Ãueans or elastic mearzs, fo~r embrzple.
1.0 Referring now to FrGS. 900A-~-~00C-, the exemplary er.rÃbot3:it~-lerrt: of t:h~.~ pod is shown. The pod includes two fluid ports 902,904 (a:xi -inlet and an olÃtlet) aztd tile pod may be cc?nstÃ~icted clifferently in t~io, various embodiments. A variety of embr}diments of coa7stÃ-Ãactaori are described in perÃd:ir-ig US priierrt. ~p.plicaÃ-i.on Serial No. 11.`787,212, fi.led April l:i, 2007 and entitled Fluid Pumping Systems, ~evices, and:Lieth~.~cly (:E78), w}iie1l is 1.5 hereby incorporated 1-reÃ-eM by refereziee in its er.iti.rety.
Retir.Ã-ri.m; riow to FIGS. 90Ã31'1, 900D and 900E tlie ~.,roove 906 in the cl~am:ber is shown. A groove 906 is incIt:tdedo:Ã3 each half of the pod bousin& In other ernbodirnents, a_ groove is uot included aÃ-ad ira soÃtae eÃt.7boc1Ãments, a groove is only iÃ-ac(uded ozt one half of t(ic pod.
20 Referring rtow to I~ IGS. z0U0Aand I OOOBõ the exemp(atN, embcrdimerit of iile membÃ-,axre used in the pod punips 502. 504> 602. 604> 702. 704 is s1~~~~~ii.
This membrane is, sh-in-waar.Ãd described above with r~spect to FI(=r., :?A. Ir-i other embodiments, any of the membranes shown in FIG& 5Ba5L3 Ã~~av be ty.sed. An exploded vie,~v of a pod ptÃ:r~p according to the exemplarv embodiment is st-rown. FIG. l. 100.
"."? `Ã':1-re meÃaibra.Ã-ie LÃsed irr Ã:~~ebal-anciÃii, chanaber pods 706, 708 111 the preferred embodiments is shown and described above witI'à res~.~t:cà to FIGS. 6A.-6<"F.
Tlre mixing e~iamber pod 504 does.not irrclude a membrane 111 the exemplary emboclimer-ii.
However, in the exemplary ernbÃ.gclirnenÃ, the rnixirtg chamber pod 504 inc(t,des r:t o-ri:ng to s~.a'al the 111iXirzl charnbeÃ`.
30 In the exemplary cÃii~.~odiÃ-iientw the membrane valve membrane is showri in FIG. 2E, 1~~~\vever, alt:emkite erÃ-rt3odirÃ-rents-as shown irr F1{:iS. ?Fand: Ã_i may also be used. The metering pumps, :irt the exemplary embodiment, riiav tÃse any of the ria.eÃiibÃ-aares shown in ~IGS. S1~.'-5I1 Wbiie ttic prin.cipl.e~ of th~.~ invention Iiav~ been described herein, it is tc) be trnderst.c~od by those skal:led.in the -ari that this descriptinri is i3iar~e, only by way of exmple a.~id zioc as a tirnitation as to the scope of t.lio invotition. Other ~.at>>~bocii.rri.unts are conternpIat:Gd witlun the scope ol"che present invent.it?r.i ia~ ~~(kIitivn to tti~. exemplary eiribodi.ments sbawn and described herein. Modifications and substituti~.~ns, 1~~y one of ordinary s>ti,<ill in the arÃale, considered to be W.itlli.n tlle scope o.f`the pre~;~nt ialventioll.

Claims (37)

What is claimed is:

1. A pumping cassette comprising:
a housing comprising at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines:
at least one balancing pod within said housing and in fluid connection with said fluid paths, whereby said balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of said first fluid equals the volume of said second fluid and wherein said balancing pod comprising a membrane wherein said membrane forming two balancing chambers; and at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps within said housing wherein said pressure pump pumps said fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and said second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

2. The cassette claimed in claim 1 wherein said reciprocating pressure displacement pumps comprising:
a curved rigid chamber wall; and a flexible membrane attached to said rigid chamber wall, whereby sad flexible membrane and said rigid chamber wall define a pumping chamber.

3. The cassette claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing further comprising:
a top plate;
a midplate; and a bottom plate.

4. The cassette claimed in claim 1 further comprising a metering pump within said housing and fluidly connected to a fluid line, wherein said metering pump pumps a volume of a fluid.

5. The cassette of claim 4 wherein said pressure pump and said metering pump are pneumatically actuated pumps.

6. The cassette claimed in claim 1 further comprising a metering pump within said housing and fluidly connected to a fluid line, wherein said metering pump pumps a volume of a fluid such that said fluid bypasses said balancing chambers and wherein said metering pump is a membrane pump.

7. The cassette of claim 1 further comprising at least one fluid valve.

8. The cassette of claim 7 wherein said cassette comprising at least two fluid valves wherein said at least two fluid valves are actuated by one pneumatic valve.

9. A pump cassette comprising:
a housing comprising at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line;
at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within said housing wherein said pressure pump pumps at least one fluid from said fluid inlet line to at least one of said fluid outlet line; and at least one mixing chamber within said housing, said mixing chamber fluidly connected to said fluid outlet line.

10. The cassette claimed in claim 9 wherein said reciprocating pressure displacement pump comprising:
a curved rigid chamber wall; and a flexible membrane attached to said rigid chamber wall, whereby said flexible membrane and said rigid chamber wall define a pumping chamber.

11. The cassette claimed in claim 9 wherein said cassette housing comprising:
a top plate;
a midplate; and a bottom plate.

12. The cassette claimed in claim 9 further comprising at least one valve.

13. The cassette claimed in claim 12 wherein said at least one valve comprising a valve housing having a membrane, said membrane dividing said housing into two chambers.

14. The cassette claimed in claim 9 wherein said mixing chamber comprising a curved rigid chamber wall having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet.

15. The cassette claimed in claim 9 further comprising at least one-metering membrane pump within said hosting, said metering pump fluidly connected to said mixing chamber on said housing, and to a metering pump fluid line, wherein said metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to said at least one of said at least one fluid inlet lines.

16. The cassette claimed in claim 15 further comprising wherein said metering pump fluid line connected to at second fluid inlet line.

17. A pumping cassette comprising:
a housing, having at least one fluid port and at least one air vent port wherein said air vent port vents a fluid source outside said housing and at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within said housing wherein said pump pumps a fluid.

18. The cassette claimed in claim 17 wherein said reciprocating pressure displacement pump comprising:
a curved rigid chamber wall; and a flexible membrane attached to said rigid chamber wall, whereby said flexible membrane and said rigid chamber wall define a pumping chamber.

19. The cassette claimed in claim 17 wherein said cassette housing, comprising:
a top plate;
a midplate; and a bottom plate.

20. The pumping cassette claimed in claim 17 further comprising at least one valve.

21. The pumping cassette claimed in claim 20 wherein said valve is a membrane valve.

22. The cassette claimed in claim 21 wherein said at least one valve comprising a valve housing having a membrane, said membrane dividing said housing into two chambers.

23. The cassette claimed in claim 22 wherein one of said two chambers is an actuation chamber and one of said two chambers is a fluid pumping chamber.

24. The cassette claimed in claim 23 wherein said actuation chamber having at least one aperture and said fluid pumping chamber having at least one aperture.

25. The cassette claimed in claim 24 wherein said actuation chamber comprising two apertures.

26. The cassette claimed in claim 25 wherein said valve is a volcano valve.

27. The cassette claimed in claim 26 wherein said fluid pumping chamber comprising a substantially smooth surface.

28. The pumping cassette claimed in claim 17 wherein said valve is a check valve.

29. The cassette integrated system comprising:
a mixing cassette;
a balancing cassette;
a middle cassette fluidly connected to said mixing cassette acid said balancing cassette; and at least one pod, wherein said mixing, cassette is fluidly connected to said middle cassette by at least one fluid line and wherein said middle cassette is fluidly connected to said balancing cassette by at least one fluid line and whereby each of said at least one pod is connected to at least two of said cassettes wherein said pod is located in an areas between said cassettes.

30. The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein said cassette housings a top plate;
a midplate; and a bottom plate.

31, The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein said pod comprising a curved rigid chamber wall having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet.

32. The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein said mixing cassette, middle cassette and said balancing cassette further comprising at least one valve.

33. The cassette integrated system claims in claim 32 wherein said at least one valve is a membrane valve.

34. The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein at least one of said fluid lines connecting said cassettes is a rigid hollow cylindrical structure.

35. The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein at least one of said fluid lines connecting said cassettes contain a check valve within said cylindrical structure.

36. The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein said mixing cassette further comprising at least one metering membrane pump within said mixing cassette housing, said mixing chamber fluidly connected to said, fluid outlet line.

37. The cassette integrated system claimed in claim 29 wherein said balancing cassette further comprising at least one metering pump within said housing and fluidly connected to a fluid line, wherein said metering pump pumps a predetermine volume of a fluid such that said fluid by passes the balancing chambers and wherein said metering pump is a membrane pump.