Abstract

A fully automated method and apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting blood dialyzers for reuse having multiple stations simultaneously capable of cleaning a plurality of dialyzers. The dialyzer, the station cleaning the dialyzer, and the patient are identified and the identifications are stored in memory. A predetermined sequence of cleaning procedures tailored to the type of dialyzer to be cleaned are provided. The cleaning procedures are automatically machined sequenced, and the sequence is selectively controlled in response to automatic test procedures measuring indicia of dialyzer reusability. The tests performed on the dialyzer include a blood presence test, a pressure leakage test, and an ultrafiltration rate test. If it is determined that the dialyzer is not reusable, it is either cleaned further to make it reusable or machine sequencing of subsequent cleaning procedures is inhibited.