A processor of a medical device configured to communicate with a remote server can be programmed to protect the medical device from exposure to unauthorized or malicious software. A system or method to implement this form of protection can include, for example, at least one processor on the medical device, a control software module that controls the operation of the medical device and is executable on the processor, a data management module that manages data flow to and from the control software module from sources external to the medical device, and an agent module that has access to a limited number of designated memory locations in the medical device. In addition, a hemodialysis apparatus can be configured to operate in conjunction with an apparatus for providing purified water from a source such as a municipal water supply or a well. A system for controlling delivery of purified water to the hemodialysis apparatus can comprise a therapy controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with a controller of a water purification device, and a user interface controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with the therapy controller, and to send data to and receive data from a user interface.

Systems and methods suitable for extracorporeal lung support are provided that expose blood, across a semipermeable membrane, to a dialysis liquid. The dialysis liquid features a buffering agent and has a high buffering capacity for H.sup.+ ions. Carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and hydrogen cations are transported across a semipermeable membrane into the dialysis liquid. The dialysis fluid may be recycled and repeatedly used, and its pH may be adjusted, and other fluids added to it. Certain substances may be removed from the blood, and the amount of these substances removed from the blood may be substantially automatically or substantially continuously monitored or quantified. The systems and methods are suitable for treating or preventing respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis, and diseases featuring lung malfunction, kidney malfunction, or liver malfunction.

The invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for recharging zirconium phosphate and/or zirconium oxide in reusable sorbent modules. The devices, systems, and methods provide for precision recharging of the zirconium phosphate and/or zirconium oxide to avoid the need of excess recharge solutions. The devices systems and methods also provide for calculation of the volumes of recharge solution needed for fully recharging the zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide modules.

A CRRT apparatus comprising a control unit configured to execute a flow-rate setup procedure by receiving a patient prescription comprising clinical prescription parameters, by allowing entry of a set value for a prescribed dialysis dose (D.sub.set) to be delivered, and of a target value for a parameter (nNBL; Cp.sub.HCO3_pat) indicative of a steady state acid-base balance in the blood of the patient who has to undergo a CRRT blood treatment, and by determining operating parameters calculating a set value of relevant fluid flow rates including one or more of a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.cit) through the anticoagulant infusion line, a fluid flow rate (.sub.QPBP) through the PBP infusion line, a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.rep_pre) through the pre-dilution infusion line, a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.rep_post) through the post-dilution infusion line, a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.HCO3) through the post-dilution bicarbonate infusion line, a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.ca) through the ion balancing infusion line, a blood fluid flow rate (Q.sub.b) through the extracorporeal blood circuit, a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.dial) through the dialysis liquid supply line, and a fluid flow rate (Q.sub.eff) through the effluent fluid line, wherein calculating the set value of the fluid flow rates is based at least on the set value of the prescribed dialysis dose (D.sub.set) and on the target value for the parameter (nNBL; Cp.sub.HCO3_pat) indicative of a steady state acid-base balance in the blood.

A method of preparing a solution for use during a dialysis, hemodialysis, or Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) treatment of a patient is provided. An antibiotic or other drug is added (48, 50, 52) to a solution and the concentration or dosing of the antibiotic or other drug within the solution is adjusted (72) as required based on a determination (64) of serum level of the antibiotic in a blood sample of a patient.

A system for blood treatment can include a dialysis machine and an ultrasonic authentication device connected to the blood treatment machine, the ultrasonic authentication device configured to scan a label and send signals containing label information to the dialysis machine.

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a disposable cartridge and a reused dialysis machine. The disposable cartridge includes a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path and a blood flow path which flow in opposing directions through the dialyzer. The disposable cartridge includes pressure and fluid flow sensors for measuring the pressure and fluid flow in the dialysate flow path and blood flow path. In addition, the disposable cartridge possesses pump actuators (but not pump motors) for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths. Preferably, the disposable cartridge includes a filter for removing waste products from dialysate.

The dialysate for hemodialysis has a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 30-550 ppb. This dialysate can eliminate active oxygen and reduce oxidative stress.

Hemodialysis systems are described. A hemodialysis system may include a dialysate flow path through which dialysate is passed from a dialysate reservoir, which includes a valved vent to atmosphere, to an ultrafilter. The dialysate flow path includes a pneumatically actuated diaphragm-based dialysate pump for pumping fluid from the dialysate reservoir to the ultrafilter. The hemodialysis system may include a controller for controlling pneumatic actuation pressure delivered to the dialysate pump and at least one valve connecting the dialysate reservoir vent to the atmosphere. The hemodialysis system may be configured to actuate the dialysate pump and the at least one valve to introduce air into the dialysate flow path and expel liquid from the dialysate flow path to a drain.

A method, related system and apparatus are disclosed. The method is implemented by an operative set of processor executable instructions configured for execution by a processor. The method includes the acts of: determining if a monitoring client is connected to a base through a physical connection; establishing a first communications link between the monitoring client and the base through the physical connection; updating, if necessary, the interface program on the monitoring client and the base through the first communications link; establishing a second communications link between the monitoring client and the base using the first communications link; and communicating data from the base to the monitoring client using the second communications link.