A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a control unit configured to operate in a hybrid automated mode during a PD treatment. A processor in the control unit is configured to engage a pump during a fill phase of the PD cycle. The volume of fluid (e.g., dialysate) transferred to a patient line during the fill phase is monitored. After a dwell period, the pump is disengaged at the start of a drain phase of the PD cycle. Disengaging the pump can include: configuring valves of a disposable cassette to bypass the pump chambers of a disposable cassette; activating a bypass valve to shunt the patient line to a drain line; or moving a roller assembly of a peristaltic pump. The fluid transferred from the patient line to the drain line is monitored during the drain phase of the PD cycle.

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a safety feature that is used to isolate individual fluid lines attached to a disposable cassette. The PD machine can include an interface for a disposable cassette, a plurality of safety mechanisms, and a processor. A plurality of fluid lines are connected to the disposable cassette, and each safety mechanism corresponds to a particular fluid line in the plurality of fluid lines. The processor is configured to detect a hazard condition, such as a loss of power to the PD machine or leak in the disposable cassette, and activate one or more safety mechanisms to isolate corresponding fluid lines connected to the disposable cassette. In one embodiment, the safety mechanisms are spring-loaded clamping mechanisms configured to compress a distensible tube connected to the fluid line. In another embodiment, the safety mechanisms include relay solenoids and/or check valves.

The present disclosure relates to methods for determining at least one treatment modality of a dialysis treatment of a specific patient depending on at least one value out of the group of values, a first value reflecting the overhydration (OH) of the patient, a second value reflecting the salinity or osmolarity of the patient, a third value reflecting the blood pressure of the patient, a fourth value reflecting the renal function of the patient, a fifth value reflecting a heart issue the patient, a sixth value reflecting hypotension of the patient, a seventh value reflecting vessel conditions, and an eighth value reflecting a total protein content of the patient. Herein, an algorithm or reference material is used. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to devices for executing this method and processing the results of the method.

Techniques and devices for filtering dialysis fluids, such as dialysis effluent, are described. For example, a filter device may be configured to filter peritoneal dialysis (PD) effluent draining from a patient during a PD process. The filter devices may include filters configured to filter materials, such as human cells, microorganisms, and/or other components from PD effluent. For instance, a filter device may be configured to be installed in-line in a drain circuit of a PD system using conventional tubing. The captured materials may be analyzed or otherwise processed to determine health characteristics of a patient and/or to capture stem cells. Other embodiments are described.

A peritoneal dialysis device includes a disposable tubing set that includes a fill line with a patient access connector at one end and a dialysis fluid receiving end opposite the patient access connector end. The device also includes a fill-side pressure measuring sensor attached at the fill end and forming a disposable component of the tubing set and a patient-side pressure measuring sensor located at the fluid receiving end. The patient-side and fill-side pressure measuring sensors are adapted for measuring pressure in the fill line at the respective ends thereof. The device also includes a controller configured to regulate a rate of flow in the fill line responsively to a signal from the at least the patient-side pressure measuring sensor.

A urea separation apparatus is described herein. In an embodiment, the urea separation apparatus includes a blood compartment that is a part of an extracorporeal circuit fluidly connected to a patient and configured to receive blood of the patient. The apparatus also includes a waste membrane enclosing the blood compartment that is configured to filter waste from the blood. The apparatus further includes a dialysis fluid compartment located on an opposite side of the waste membrane from the blood compartment. The dialysis fluid compartment includes dialysis fluid that absorbs the waste from the waste membrane. The apparatus moreover includes a charged membrane enclosing the dialysis fluid compartment. The charged membrane is configured to filter at least a portion of the waste from the dialysis fluid. Additionally, the apparatus includes a urea compartment that circulates secondary fluid for absorbing the portion of the waste from the charged membrane.

A peritoneal dialysis system includes (i) a fill container, and (ii) an energizing unit that removably accepts the fill container, the energizing unit including a sterilization source so configured and arranged relative to the fill container when accepted by the energizing unit to place fluid within the fill container in a physiologically safe condition for delivery to the peritoneal cavity of a patient.

A system and method for monitoring the health of dialysis patients with Raman spectroscopy measurements of one or more target analytes is described. The methods include irradiating one or more fluids of interest with light to produce one or more spectrum and detecting the spectrum with a detector. The fluids of interest are preferably those related to dialysis, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In a preferred embodiment, the fluids are irradiated with monochromatic light, and one or more Raman spectra are detected as a result of the irradiation. The fluids may be irradiated within the dialysis tubing itself, or removed from the dialysis tubing and irradiated in a separate chamber. The Raman spectra of one or more target analytes of a dialysis patient may be followed over time or compared to one or more reference spectra, thereby providing information on the health of dialysis patients.

A dialysis system is disclosed that enables a patient to undergo both peritoneal dialysis and extracorporeal blood treatments. The system includes a base unit and a blood treatment unit configured to perform extracorporeal blood treatments on a patient. The blood treatment unit includes a user interface operable with a controller for displaying a calendar of days in which an extracorporeal blood treatment is scheduled to be performed. The base unit includes a base unit controller that is programmed to receive information indicative whether a peritoneal dialysis treatment or the extracorporeal blood treatment is to be performed. The base unit controller operates first software instructions when the base unit uses a first fluid stored in a fluid container when the peritoneal dialysis treatment is selected or operates second software instructions when the base unit uses a second, different fluid from an online source when the extracorporeal blood treatment is selected.

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.