In one aspect, a valve includes a valve body rotatable about a central axis of the valve body, an interior channel adjacent the valve body for permitting a fluid to flow through an axial opening of the interior channel, and a plug within the interior channel that is movable between a first axial position at the axial opening and a second axial position spaced apart from the axial opening. In the first axial position, the plug closes the axial opening to prevent the fluid from flowing through the axial opening in a first direction and to prevent the fluid from flowing through the axial opening in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. In the second axial position, the plug permits the fluid to flow through the axial opening into the interior channel in the first direction.

A method is provided for detecting leaks in a disposable medical fluid cassette that includes a base and a flexible membrane attached to the base in such a way that the base and the flexible membrane cooperate to at least partially form a fluid passageway. The method includes applying a first force to the flexible membrane, measuring a first physical property of a system that includes the medical fluid cassette a medical fluid pumping machine, removing the first force from the flexible membrane, applying a second force to the flexible membrane, measuring a second physical property of the system, and determining whether the medical fluid cassette leaks based on a comparison of the first physical property and the second physical property.

A medical treatment machine, such as a dialysis machine (e.g., a home dialysis machine, such as a home hemodialysis machine or a home peritoneal dialysis machine) can receive a digital prescription file that defines parameters of a medical treatment to be administered to a patient. The digital prescription file can be prepared and delivered in such a way that the medical treatment machine can confirm that the issuer (e.g., provider) of the digital prescription file is an authorized issuer without having any a priori knowledge of the particular issuer. The digital prescription file can be delivered irrespective of the inherent security (or lack thereof) of the transmission medium in a tamper-evident format using minimal resources necessary to verify the validity of the digital prescription file and its issuer. The digital prescription file may be delivered to the dialysis machine using a network cloud-based connected health system.

A method of controlling a medical fluid therapy machine display brightness includes: performing a medical fluid therapy using the medical fluid therapy machine, the medical fluid therapy machine including a display; sensing an amount of ambient light impinging the display without receiving light directly from the display; controlling a level of backlight brightness for the display based on the amount of ambient light sensed; and displaying information relating to the medical fluid therapy on the display using the controlled level of backlight brightness.

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a pressure sensor mounted at a proximal end of a patient line that provides PD solution to a patient through a catheter. During treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or the catheter. Elastic waves may be generated at a pump that introduces (e.g., for fill cycles) or withdraws (e.g., for drain cycles) the solution into/out of the patient line. For example, when the solution is introduced or withdrawn suddenly, elastic waves travel distally down the patient line until they encounter the occlusion, and are then reflected back (e.g., toward the pressure sensor).

Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, such as a wearable peritoneal dialysis system, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. The nanoclay sorbents are also useful for refreshing a dialysis fluid used in hemodialysis and thus reducing a quantity of the dialysis fluid needed for the hemodialysis.

A peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid line set includes a fluid line configured to carry spent dialysate to a drain receptacle and a chemical testing device disposed along the fluid line. The chemical testing device is configured to detect a presence of a substance in the spent dialysate as the spent dialysate flows past the chemical testing device, and the chemical testing device is configured to provide a visual indicator of the presence of the substance in the spent dialysate.

The present invention relates to a method of determining a system compressibility value of a medical membrane pump drive, wherein a first and second pressure level are moved to and a first and second operating parameter value of the membrane pump drive are detected; wherein the system compressibility value is determined on the basis of the detected operating parameter values; and wherein the membrane of the membrane pump drive is supported at a rigid surface during the determination of the system compressibility value.

An example renal therapy system includes a blood pressure monitor configured to output blood pressure data concerning a patient and a renal therapy machine communicatively coupled to the blood pressure monitor. The renal therapy machine is configured to generate ultrafiltration (“UF”) removed data from a prescribed renal therapy treatment performed by the renal therapy machine on the patient, and transmit the UF removed data and the blood pressure data via a network. At least one of a UF trend or a blood pressure trend from the UF removed data or the blood pressure data is determined, enabling a further determination as to at least one of (a) whether a prescribed renal therapy treatment adjustment or a new prescribed renal therapy treatment needs to be made, (b) whether the patient is complying with the prescribed renal therapy treatment, or (c) whether a condition related to an alarm or an alert exists.

An apparatus for ultrafiltration of a patient being overhydrated due to congestive heart failure, comprising a tube set including a connector for connection to a patient line for access to the peritoneal cavity of the patient. A flow pump is arranged for addition and removal outflow and inflow (recirculation) of fluid from/to the peritoneal cavity. An osmotic agent peristaltic pump is arranged for replenishment of glucose solution to the fluid added to the peritoneal cavity for promoting ultrafiltration. The glucose is replenished intermittently for keeping a concentration of glucose substantially constant in the peritoneal cavity. The flow pump comprises a pressure chamber with rigid walls and a flexible pump bag arranged therein. An air pump pressurizes the chamber for outflow of fluid from the peritoneal cavity by a sub pressure and inflow of fluid to the peritoneal cavity by an overpressure, which pressures are maintained within safe limits.