Network communication and message protocol for a medical perfusion system

A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.