A sensing and storage system for fluid balance during dialysis is provided. The sensing and storage system has flow sensors on either side of a dialyzer in a controlled volume dialysate flow path. The sensors are positioned so that no fluid can be added to or removed from the dialysate flow path between the sensors except for that which is added or removed by action of a control pump. The sensing and storage system can have a fluid removal line for the removal of fluid from the dialysate flow loop.

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient through the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. Preferably, the hemodialysis system includes a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path. Furthermore, the hemodialysis machine includes a blood pump, and a pair of dialysate pumps. A processor controls the flow of blood through the blood flow path, and the processor controls the flow of dialysate through the dialysate flow path. In addition, the processor stores a patient treatment plan wherein the flow rate of dialysate reduces throughout treatment to maximize the amount of urea removed by the sorbent filter.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a method and system for estimating flow rates of a fluid or medium though a dialyzer during a dialysis treatment (e.g., a hemodialysis treatment). Pressure sensors are incorporated in dialyzers used for hemodialysis to achieve continuous monitoring of fluid balance of the body. During dialysis, obtaining fluid input and output pressures experienced at various inlets and outlets of dialyzers is easier than obtaining flow rates at these inlets and outlets, but using flow rates is better in determining the effectiveness of a dialyzer during hemodialysis. Embodiments of the disclosure thus use pressure measurements at inlets and outlets of a dialyzer along with a dialyzer model to determine fluid flow rates through the dialyzer. The fluid flow rates are used to determine whether there are leakages or occlusions in tubing during the dialysis treatment.

A renal therapy apparatus including at least two feedback controls is disclosed. Each control includes an estimated volume calculator to calculate an estimated volume based on a set flow, a comparator to compare the estimated volume with a measured volume, a volume deviation determining means to determine a volume deviation based on the comparison, a correction calculator to calculate a correction based on the volume deviation, a flow control generator to generate a flow control signal based on the calculated correction amount and the set flow, and a feedback control output to output the controlled flow control signal to a pump associated with each feedback control. A flow correction distributor includes an input to receive correction signals from the correction calculator, a limited correction signal calculator to calculate a limited correction signal for the input correction required signals, and an output to output each calculated limited correction signal to the feedback control from which its underlying correction required signal has been received.

The disclosure relates to a functional device, in particular a medical functional device, having at least one fluid circuit. The fluid circuit comprises at least one heat exchange device being arranged and/or embodied between a first section of the fluid circuit and a second section of the fluid circuit. The disclosure relates further to a balancing unit, a treatment apparatus, and a balancing method.

This disclosure relates to a method for determining a fluid balance between a first volume flow in a first section of a fluid circuit and a second volume flow of a second section of the fluid circuit. The method may also include adjusting, assuming or detecting a first temperature in the first section of the fluid circuit and a second temperature in the second section of the fluid circuit, or detecting a temperature difference between the first and the second sections. The method may also include detecting a second volume flow in a second section of the fluid circuit and forming a balance from at least the first volume flow and a corrected value of the second volume flow. The corrected value is determined from the detected second volume flow and the second temperature and/or the temperature difference.

A cassette module (32, 46) for a differential flowmeter (305, 415) is disclosed, wherein the cassette module (32, 46) forms a first channel (30, 45) and a second channel (31, 44), which channels carry fluid during operation of the differential flowmeter and are permeated by a magnetic field (33, 43) during operation of the differential flowmeter (305, 415), each having an electrode pair (301, 302, 403, 405) arranged on the first channel (30, 45) and on the second channel (31, 44). A flow difference between the first fluid-carrying channel (30, 44) and the second fluid-carrying channel (31, 45) can be determined by comparing the signals on the first electrode pair (301, 403) and on the second electrode pair (302, 405). The first channel (30, 45) forms an additional section (34, 41) that is permeated by the magnetic field during operation. Another electrode pair (303, 402) is arranged in the additional section (34, 41), so that a change in the measurement conditions can be detected by comparing the signal on the first electrode pair (301, 403) and on the additional electrode pair (303, 402).

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for removing carbon dioxide from a target fluid, such as, for example, blood, to treat hypercarbic respiratory failure or another condition. A device is provided including first and second membrane components for removing dissolved gaseous carbon dioxide and bicarbonate from the fluid, which can be done simultaneously. The device can be in the form of a cartridge configured for use in a dialysis system. A method of treatment is also provided, involving drawing blood from a patient and bringing the patient's blood in contact with a first membrane component having a sweep gas passing therethrough, and a second membrane component having a dialysate passing therethrough. The dialysate's composition can be selected such that charge neutrality is maintained.

A base (41) includes a plurality of flow channels (33, 34) and detection sections (531, 541) for detecting the flow volumes of fluids flowing in the flow channels (33, 34). In the base (41), a blocking section (57) for blocking heat conduction between the flow channels (33, 34) is provided between the flow channels (33, 34). The blocking section (57) is configured of groove (58) formed in the base (41).

The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.