Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysis fluid solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy.

The invention relates to an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment, comprising a blood treatment unit 1 that comprises at least one compartment 3. The invention further relates to an apparatus 15A, 15B for collecting blood clots for a blood line 5, 7 for supplying blood to or removing blood from a blood treatment unit 1 of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, and to a method for determining a hemodynamic parameter during extracorporeal blood treatment using an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus. In order to determine the hemodynamic parameter, the conveying direction of the blood pump 10 is reversed from a “normal” blood flow to a “reversed” blood flow. It has been found in practice that, in the event of a reversal in the conveying direction of the blood pump in order to carry out a measurement for determining a hemodynamic parameter, there is a risk of blood clots reaching the patients, although the dialyser traps blood clots. The apparatus according to the invention provides an apparatus 15A for catching blood clots, at least in the blood line of the extracorporeal blood circuit I that leads to the blood treatment unit 1 during a “normal blood flow”. The blood treatment unit traps blood clots during blood treatment having a “normal” blood flow. In the case of a “reversed” blood flow, the apparatus for catching blood clots in the blood line that leads to the blood treatment unit 1 during a “normal blood flow” traps blood clots that may have previously accumulated at the inlet of the blood treatment unit.

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. In one set of embodiments, a hemodialysis system may include a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path, where the dialysate flow path includes one or more of a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. Preparation of dialysate by the preparation circuit, in some instances, may be decoupled from patient dialysis. In some cases, the circuits are defined, at least partially, within one or more cassettes, optionally interconnected with conduits, pumps, or the like. In one embodiment, the fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the hemodialysis system. In some cases, a gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate to pass through the dialyzer and urge blood in the blood flow path back to the patient. Such a system may be useful, for example, in certain emergency situations (e.g., a power failure) where it is desirable to return as much blood to the patient as possible. The hemodialysis system may also include, in another aspect of the invention, one or more fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, or the like, which can be actuated using a control fluid, such as air. In some cases, the control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using an external pump or other device, which may be detachable in certain instances. In one embodiment, one or more of the fluid handling devices may be generally rigid (e.g., having a spheroid shape), optionally with a diaphragm contained within the device, dividing it into first and second compartments.

Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands.

A dialyzer for an extracorporeal blood treatment includes an elongated, preferably cylindrical dialyzer housing, and at least one dialysis membrane that separates an internal space of the dialyzer housing into a dialysis liquid chamber and a blood chamber. The dialysis liquid chamber has a dialysis liquid supply port and a dialysis liquid discharge port. The blood chamber has a blood supply port and a blood discharge port. The dialyzer includes an additional ventilation outlet for ventilating the blood chamber. The additional ventilation outlet is located with respect to a blood flow direction in the blood discharge port between an exit area of the blood discharge port and the dialysis liquid supply port. A corresponding dialysis device includes a ventilation outlet on a dialyzer housing or on a hose connected to a blood discharge port.

The present disclosure relates to an effluent bag for collecting accumulated blood treatment effluent. The effluent bag comprises a closeable effluent opening or connection to an exterior of the effluent bag. The disclosure further relates to methods, a blood treatment apparatus, and a discharge hose system.

This application provides methods, compositions, and kits for use in removing kinks in tubing.

Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.

The present teachings include techniques for securing a connection to a dialyzer or the like—e.g., securing the junction between a dialyzer port and a connector (e.g., a DIN connector) that couples the port to tubing of an extracorporeal circuit of a hemodialysis system. To this end, a locking device may engage both a DIN connector and a portion of the dialyzer, such as the cap or an adapter engaged therewith. The locking device may include an interior void sized and shaped to accommodate winged portions (or other portions) of the DIN connector to mitigate rotation thereof relative to the port to which it is engaged. Further, the locking device may be used to ensure that coupling between the DIN connector and the port is proper and secure. In this manner, a locking device can mitigate leaks, which can be catastrophic during a hemodialysis treatment or the like.

A dialysis treatment facility wall-box apparatus is disclosed. The dialysis treatment facility wall-box comprises a main body having a first portion and a second portion. Further, the dialysis treatment facility wall-box apparatus comprises a tether line connected to the first portion of the main body of the dialysis treatment facility wall-box apparatus via an anchor fitting. The anchor fitting is tightened through the dialysis treatment facility wall-box apparatus. A plurality of fly loop lines is positioned at inner portion and outer portion of the wall-box. A tea fitting is coupled to the anchor fitting through the plurality of fly loop lines at the inner portion. Further, the dialysis treatment facility wall-box apparatus comprises a first plurality of loops and a second plurality of loops.