Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cassette (e.g., a disposable cassette) positionable within a port formed in the dialysis machine. The dialysis system may also include a cleaning cartridge insertable into the port. The cleaning cartridge may be arranged and configured to collect, remove, etc. any foreign material or debris from the port.

A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a cycler having a micropump actuator, a pressure transducer, and at least one valve actuator; a disposable set including a micropump head sized and shaped for mating with and being driven by the micropump actuator, a pressure sensor configured to operably communicate with the pressure transducer, and at least one fluid valve portion or a portion of at least one fluid line for interfacing with the at least one valve actuator; and a control unit, wherein the disposable set may be arranged to allow, and the control unit may be programmed to operate the micropump actuator and the at least one valve actuator, so that fresh and used dialysis fluid flows through the micropump head in a same direction. The system may also dampen pressure fluctuations via pressure pods, and may analyze the outputs from the pressure pods for patient empty and occlusion detection.

Improvements in fluid volume measurement systems are disclosed for a pneumatically actuated diaphragm pump in general, and a peritoneal dialysis cycler using a pump cassette in particular. Pump fluid volume measurements are based on pressure measurements in a pump control chamber and a reference chamber in a two-chamber model, with different sections being modeled using a combination of adiabatic, isothermal and polytropic processes. Real time or instantaneous fluid flow measurements in a pump chamber of the diaphragm pump are also disclosed, in this case using a one-chamber ideal gas model and using a high speed processor to obtain and process pump control chamber pressures during fluid flow into or out of the pump chamber. Improved heater control circuitry is also disclosed, to provide added or redundant safety measures, or to reduce current leakage from a heater element during pulse width modulation control of the heater element. Improvements are also disclosed in an application of negative pressure during a drain phase in peritoneal dialysis therapy, and to control an amount of intraperitoneal fluid accumulation during the therapy. Improvements in efficiency are also disclosed in movement of fluid into and out of a two-pump cassette and a heater bag of the peritoneal dialysis cycler, and in synchronization of operation of two or more pumps in the peritoneal dialysis cycler or other fluid handling devices using a multi-pump arrangement.

A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a patient line that provides dialysate solution to a patient and removes effluent dialysate from the patient through a catheter. During a drain phase of a PD treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or catheter. A pressure sensor can detect a change in pressure of the fluid at the proximal end of the patient line to infer a potential occlusion in the patient line. Prior to setting an alarm to alert the patient of the blockage in the patient line, operating parameters of the PD machine can be changed to attempt to correct the issue. In an embodiment, the pump mechanism can be cycled at a reduced speed or a reduced rate in order to confirm the occlusion or attempt to alleviate the low fluid flow condition before the alarm is set.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.

A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.

A fluid handling cassette, such as that useable with an automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cycler device or other infusion apparatus, may include a generally planar body having at least one pump chamber formed as a depression in a first side of the body and a plurality of flowpaths for a fluid that includes a channel. A patient line port may be arranged for connection to a patient line and be in fluid communication with the at least one pump chamber via at least a first one of said flowpaths, and an optional membrane may be attached to the first side of the body over the at least one pump chamber. In one embodiment, the membrane may have a pump chamber portion with an unstressed shape that generally conforms to the depression of the at least one pump chamber in the body and is arranged to be movable for movement of the fluid in a useable space of the at least one pump chamber. One or more spacers may be provided in the at least one pump chamber to prevent the membrane from contacting an inner wall of the at least one pump chamber. The patient line, a drain line, and/or a heater bag line may be positioned to be separately occludable in relation to one or more solution lines that are connectable to the cassette.