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.

Techniques and apparatuses for access recirculation of a patient during dialysis treatment are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to determine a first hemoglobin concentration for a dialysis system, determine a change in an ultrafiltration rate, determine a second hemoglobin concentration modified due to the change in the ultrafiltration rate based on a dialysis system model of the dialysis system, and determine an access recirculation value for the dialysis system. Other embodiments are described.

A dialysis method to enable a patient to undergo both peritoneal dialysis and extracorporeal blood treatments is disclosed. The method includes determining, via a base unit controller, whether a peritoneal dialysis treatment or an extracorporeal blood treatment is to be performed. If the peritoneal dialysis treatment is to be performed, the method includes operating first software instructions that cause a base unit to use a first fluid stored in a fluid container. If the extracorporeal blood treatment is to be performed, the method includes operating second software instructions that cause the base unit to use a second, different fluid from an online source and selectively move the second, different fluid to a blood treatment unit for use in the extracorporeal blood treatment. The blood treatment unit is operable with the base unit to perform the extracorporeal blood treatment on a patient.

A renal failure therapy system includes a dialysis fluid circuit including a dialysis fluid pump; a source of physiological cleaning, disinfecting, and/or decalcifying substance in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid circuit; a source of purified water in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid circuit; and a logic implementer in operable communication with the dialysis fluid pump, the logic implementer causing the physiological cleaning, disinfecting, and/or decalcifying substance from its source to be added to purified water from the purified water source to form a mixture and to circulate the mixture within the dialysis fluid circuit using the dialysis fluid pump to at least one of clean, disinfect or decalcify at least a portion of the dialysis fluid circuit without a subsequent rinse.

A dialysis system includes: (i) a source of water made suitable for a dialysis treatment; (ii) at least one concentrate for mixing with the water from the source; (iii) a dialysis fluid pump; and (iv) a disposable set operable with the dialysis fluid pump and in fluid communication with the source of water and the at least one concentrate, the disposable set including a container having a first end and a second end, the container configured to allow the water and the at least one concentrate pumped by the dialysis fluid pump to enter at the second end and exit from the first end to mix for the dialysis treatment.

A method for stabilizing dialysate consumption flow in a central distribution loop for a plurality of dialysis machines comprises: coordinating each dialysate dispensing cycle of active ones of the dialysis machines; calculating dialysate or concentrates consumption based on amount required in each dialysate dispensing cycle of the active dialysis machines; and preparing the dialysate based on the calculated dialysate or concentrates consumption required by the active dialysis machines. Also a corresponding apparatus and a corresponding central dialysate preparation and distribution system are disclosed, wherein the apparatus at least comprises: a coordinating module configured to coordinate each dialysate dispensing cycle of active ones of the dialysis machines; a calculating module configured to calculate dialysate or concentrates consumption based on amount required in each dialysate dispensing cycle of the active dialysis machines; and a mixing control module, for preparing the dialysate based on the calculated dialysate or concentrates consumption.

A renal failure therapy system (10a, 10b) includes a dialysis fluid circuit (30) including a dialysis fluid pump (54, 58); a source (86, 90) of physiological cleaning, disinfecting, and/or decalcifying substance in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid circuit; a source (22) of purified water in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid circuit; and a logic implementer (20) in operable communication with the dialysis fluid pump (54,58), the logic implementer (20) causing the physiological cleaning, disinfecting, and/or decalcifying substance from its source (86, 90) to be added to purified water from the purified water source (22) to form a mixture and to circulate the mixture within the dialysis fluid circuit using the dialysis fluid pump (54,58) to at least one of clean, disinfect or decalcify at least a portion of the dialysis fluid circuit (30) without a subsequent rinse.

A dialysis system is provided that includes a dialysis machine and a potassium sensing device that is configured to measure the concentration of potassium in the patient's blood, in spent dialysate resulting from treating the patient, or in both. The potassium sensing device can be configured to generate a sensed value of the concentration of potassium. A control and computing unit, including a processor and a memory, is configured to receive the sensed value, compare the value with one or more values stored in the memory, and generate a control signal based on the comparison. A potassium infusion circuit uses the control signal to infuse supplemental potassium solution into the treatment dialysate, a replacement fluid, or both. The memory can include stored patient-historical and population data.

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.

A dialysis system is configured to enable a patient to undergo both peritoneal dialysis and extracorporeal blood treatments. The example dialysis system includes a base unit configurable to provide a first fluid for use in preforming at least one peritoneal dialysis treatment at a first time. The base unit is further configurable to provide a second, different fluid for use in at least one extracorporeal blood treatment at a second, different time. The example dialysis system also includes a blood treatment unit configured to be docked to the base unit. The blood treatment unit includes a blood pump configured to pump blood from the patient to a blood filter and from the blood filter back to the patient. The blood filter or a blood line in communication with the blood filter receives the second fluid from the base unit for use in the at least one extracorporeal blood treatment.