A medical device having a time-controlled start function and a control unit, which enables user-friendly operation of the medical device, is described. The medical device has a control unit, which is equipped for automatic start-up of the medical device at a predetermined point in time and for checking on whether, after start-up of the medical device, a predetermined event has occurred, and has a display screen for display of information when the check reveals that the event has not occurred. Furthermore, a corresponding process for user-friendly operation is described.

The present invention relates to a sorbent manifold and related systems and methods having a plurality of passageways fluidly connectable to one or more valves and one or more sensors and components for use in a sorbent dialysis system. The sorbent manifold can control the one or more valves to direct fluid to either pass through a sorbent cartridge or bypass the sorbent cartridge based on measurements obtained from sensors.

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 medical fluid delivery system includes: a medical fluid delivery machine including a component having at least one of associated output data or associated test data; at least one of a (i) component output replacement limit and a component output soft limit for the component or (ii) a component testing replacement limit or a component testing soft limit for the component; and a computer programmed to store at least one of (i) or (ii), and for (i) analyze the output data to provide a first indication of how well the component is performing relative to the component output replacement limit and the component output soft limit, and for (ii) analyze the test data to provide a second indication of how well the at least one component is testing relative to the component testing replacement limit and the component testing soft limit.

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.

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.

A monitoring system for care protocols, comprising sensors connected to electronic devices to input data from a patient, where sensors measure critical values from a patient; an interface for receiving data and allowing users to write and change process control in real time; a processor connected to the interface to receive input parameters, wherein the processor calculates output values based on the input parameters compared to the critical value to determine whether the output values are outside acceptable range; means for setting critical values, ranges of critical value, and alarm points when the critical values are outside of the range; where the interface receives critical patient parameters and the interface includes a manual input and a machine input from one or more sensors; and wherein the system calculates and monitors critical steps or values for a patient and enables the output values for monitoring or display, in real time.

A primer may be used with IV catheter systems. The primer may be positioned along the tubing of an extension set such that the primer divides the IV catheter system into a downstream portion and an upstream portion. The primer may vent air from both the upstream and downstream portions to allow blood to flow up to the primer while also allowing priming solution to flow down to the primer. As a result, the catheter may be inserted into the patient's vasculature without first priming the catheter. Once the air has been vented from the upstream and downstream portions of the IV catheter system, the primer may be actuated to open a fluid pathway through the primer. With the fluid pathway opened, the priming solution may commence flowing towards the patient's vasculature thereby flushing the blood from the IV catheter system.

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 method for filling and venting a device for extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed, such as a patient module in a heart-lung machine, without attached patient. A filling liquid from a filling liquid container located higher than the device flows by gravity via a venous side of the system into a reservoir and flows onwards into a blood pump located at the lower end of the reservoir, wherein a first controllable valve (HC1) for a venting line of a filter is opened and, after the response of an upper filling level sensor in the reservoir, is closed. An upper level of the filter is positioned higher than the upper filling level sensor, and a start-stop motion of the blood pump is performed, as a result of which a stepped flooding of the filter is made providing for an advantageous de-airing of the device.