Patent classifications
A61M1/155
Measuring fluid flow associated with a dialysis machine
A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a control unit configured to monitor an amount of fluid withdrawn from a heater bag line during a PD treatment. A processor in the control unit is configured to operate a first pump to draw fluid into a first pump chamber and measure a first fluid volume in the first pump chamber. The processor is further configured to operate the first pump and a second pump to transfer fluid from the first pump chamber to a second pump chamber, measure a second fluid volume in the second pump chamber, and determine a measured fluid volume for a single pump cycle based on the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume. The first fluid volume is correlated to the second fluid volume and, therefore, the multiple independent measurements increase an accuracy of the fluid volume measurement.
Fluid line autoconnect apparatus and methods for medical treatment system
A medical infusion fluid handling system, such as an automated peritoneal dialysis system, may be arranged to de-cap and connect one or more lines (such as solution lines) with one or more spikes or other connection ports on a fluid handling cassette. This feature may reduce a likelihood of contamination since no human interaction is required to de-cap and connect the one or more lines and the one or more spikes. For example, the automated peritoneal dialysis system may include a carriage arranged to receive the one or more lines each having a connector end and a cap. The carriage may move along a first direction so as to move the connector ends of the one or more lines along the first direction, and a cap stripper may be arranged to engage with the caps on the the one or more lines on the carriage. The cap stripper may move in a second direction transverse to the first direction, as well as to move with the carriage along the first direction.
BLOOD TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump. In another aspect, a system for monitoring the adequacy of blood flow in a blood line of the hemodialysis apparatus allows a controller to suspend dialysate pumping operations if the adequacy of blood flow in the blood line is sub-optimal, and to present information on a display on the quality of blood flow in the blood line.
PRESSURE CONTROL GASKETS FOR OPERATING PUMP CASSETTE MEMBRANES
A pump cassette comprising an outer flexible membrane covering flowpaths, valve chambers and pump chambers of the cassette is designed to be actuated by a control gasket on a base unit arranged to move designated valve and pump portions of the cassette membrane. The performance of a cassette valve may improved by optimizing the configuration of the valve control region of the control gasket overlying the cassette valve. This may improve both fluid flow through the valve and reduce the amount of vibratory noise associated with opening the valve. The gasket valve control or actuation region is at least partially bounded by a vacuum channel facing the outside of the gasket so that a constant vacuum can be applied between the gasket valve control or actuation region and the adjacent portion of the cassette membrane. An improved version of the vacuum channel comprises a flexible inner wall (contiguous with the valve control region) so that the inner wall flexes or partially collapses away from the cassette valve seat, while still maintaining patency of the vacuum channel during the application of negative pressure on the gasket valve actuation region to open the cassette valve.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERITONEAL DIALYSIS HAVING POINT OF USE DIALYSIS FLUID PREPARATION INCLUDING MIXING AND HEATING THEREFORE
A peritoneal dialysis system includes a cycler including a pump actuator, a heater and a heating pan operable with the heater, and a disposable set operable with the cycler. The heating pan includes a sidewall forming a slot. The disposable set includes a pumping cassette and a heater/mixing container. The pumping cassette includes a pump chamber configured to be actuated by the pump actuator. Additionally, the heater/mixing container is in fluid communication with the pumping cassette and is sized to be received at the heating pan. The heater/mixing container includes a port configured such that when the port is slid into the slot of the heater pan sidewall, the port is prevented from rotating about an axis transverse to a direction of flow through the port.
Systems and methods for performing dialysis
A regenerative peritoneal dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid loop; a filter located in the dialysis fluid loop, a first portion of the dialysis fluid sent to the filter rejected by the filter and returned upstream of the filter, a second portion of the dialysis fluid sent to the filter forming permeate, the permeate being rich in urea; and a urea removing apparatus located in the dialysis fluid loop downstream from the filter to receive the permeate and absorb urea from the permeate.
Methods and Systems of Generating Rapidly Varying Pressure Amplitudes in Fluidic Circuits in a Dialysis Treatment System
The present specification describes a modular, portable hemofiltration system, for providing improved clearance levels of blood toxins, which includes at least one roller pump that is designed and operated to generate a rapidly varying pressure profile of fluid within at least a blood circuit of the hemofiltration system.
DIALYSIS MACHINE
A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine has a blood flow path for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyser and a dialysate flow path, isolated from the blood flow path, for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through the dialyser. The cartridge is received in an engine section of the machine. The engine section has first and second platens which close when the cartridge is inserted to retain the cartridge. Actuators and sensors arranged on the second platen control operation of the cartridge.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION OF REMOTE PERITONEAL DIALYSIS EXCHANGES
A system is provided for operation with a facility providing peritoneal dialysis exchanges for multiple peritoneal dialysis patients. The system can include a peritoneal dialysis solution supply, peritoneal dialysis sets to deliver peritoneal dialysis solution to the peritoneal dialysis patients at the facility, a computer, and a treatment station. The computer can electronically read a prescription for a patient, electronically identify a quantity of the peritoneal dialysis solution from the prescription, and electronically identify a peritoneal dialysis set from the peritoneal dialysis sets for use with the identified quantity of the peritoneal dialysis solution. The treatment station can allow an identified peritoneal dialysis set to be fluidly connected to the peritoneal dialysis solution supply so that the identified quantity of the peritoneal dialysis solution may be metered from the dialysis solution supply to the patient to perform a peritoneal dialysis treatment at the facility and according to the prescription.
Fluid preparation and treatment devices methods and systems
Methods, device, and systems for preparing peritoneal dialysis fluid and/or administering a peritoneal dialysis treatment are disclosed. In embodiments, peritoneal dialysis fluid is prepared at a point of use automatically using a daily sterile disposable fluid circuit and one or more long-term concentrate containers that are changed only after multiple days (e.g. weekly). The daily disposable may have concentrate containers that are initially empty and are filled from the long-term concentrate containers once per day at the beginning of a treatment.