Methods for controlling a spinning membrane separator so as to limit fouling of the membrane by changing the rotation rate of the spinning membrane in response to the fouling rate, while maintaining a constant outlet cellular concentration. Increasing the spinner rotation rate will increase the strength of the Taylor vortices generated within the separator by the spinning of the membrane, which should reduce fouling of the membrane. The goal of the method is to rotate the spinning membrane at the slowest rate possible without unacceptable fouling. Two specific methods to control fouling are disclosed. In a first, unidirectional method, the spin rate of the membrane is only increased in response to undesirable fouling in order to prevent the fouling from continuing. In a second, bidirectional method, the spin rate of the membrane may be either increased or decreased in response to the measured fouling rate in order to maintain the fouling rate within a desired range.

The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for controlling the concentration of potassium in dialysate in a closed loop potassium control system. The devices, systems, and methods can be compatible with any dialysis system including sorbent-based dialysis systems, single pass dialysis systems, or other multi-pass dialysis systems. The systems can use closed loop potassium control over potassium concentration in the dialysate to reduce the probability of patient arrhythmias. The potassium concentration can be controlled and personalized to a patient using certain predetermined patient parameters. Related systems, algorithms, and control systems are contemplated for optimizing the potassium concentration in the dialysate.

A hybrid diafiltration system includes an intermediate tank, a feed pump and a single-pass concentration (SPC) module, feed and product flow diverting valves to affect a multi-step concentration, wash and final-concentration process with fewer recirculation passes than conventional systems.

An example renal therapy system includes a blood pressure monitor configured to output blood pressure data concerning a patient and a renal therapy machine communicatively coupled to the blood pressure monitor. The renal therapy machine is configured to generate ultrafiltration (“UF”) removed data from a prescribed renal therapy treatment performed by the renal therapy machine on the patient, and transmit the UF removed data and the blood pressure data via a network. At least one of a UF trend or a blood pressure trend from the UF removed data or the blood pressure data is determined, enabling a further determination as to at least one of (a) whether a prescribed renal therapy treatment adjustment or a new prescribed renal therapy treatment needs to be made, (b) whether the patient is complying with the prescribed renal therapy treatment, or (c) whether a condition related to an alarm or an alert exists.

A separation module that includes a porous membrane, where the porous membrane includes a poly(phenylene ether) copolymer containing 10 to 40 mole percent repeat units derived from 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol and 60 to 90 mole percent repeat units derived from 2,6-dimethylphenol; and a block copolymer containing backbone or pendant blocks of poly(C.sub.2-4 alkylene oxide). The separation module can be used in devices for wastewater treatment, water purification, desalination, separating water-insoluble oil from oil-containing wastewater, membrane distillation, sugar purification, protein concentration, enzyme recovery, dialysis, liver dialysis, or blood oxygenation.

A separation module that includes a porous membrane, where the porous membrane includes a poly(phenylene ether) copolymer containing 10 to 40 mole percent repeat units derived from 2-methyl-6-phenylphenol and 60 to 90 mole percent repeat units derived from 2,6-dimethylphenol; and a block copolymer containing backbone or pendant blocks of poly(C.sub.2-4 alkylene oxide). The separation module can be used in devices for wastewater treatment, water purification, desalination, separating water-insoluble oil from oil-containing wastewater, membrane distillation, sugar purification, protein concentration, enzyme recovery, dialysis, liver dialysis, or blood oxygenation.

A vacuum filter device comprising a filter body having two holders on opposite sides of a filter. Each holder contains a closed container in a fluid-tight, sealed relationship. The filter is retained by a compression sealing element and the sealing element is maintained in place by a compression element formed of a ring. The compression element is bonded to a portion of the body to hold it, the sealing element and filter in place under a compression seal. Optionally a port in the compression element is formed to align with the vent of the device. Further, an alignment feature on the compression element ensures the port is in alignment with the vent of the device. The device also includes a vacuum port communicating with the downstream side of the filter, and hence the filtrate container.

A vacuum filter device comprising a filter body having two holders on opposite sides of a filter. Each holder contains a closed container in a fluid-tight, sealed relationship. The filter is retained by a compression sealing element and the sealing element is maintained in place by a compression element formed of a ring. The compression element is bonded to a portion of the body to hold it, the sealing element and filter in place under a compression seal. Optionally a port in the compression element is formed to align with the vent of the device. Further, an alignment feature on the compression element ensures the port is in alignment with the vent of the device. The device also includes a vacuum port communicating with the downstream side of the filter, and hence the filtrate container.

The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.

A control method is provided for a filter system, which includes at least one filter element (2). The method includes continuously recording a total energy consumption (E.sub.G) during a filtration cycle (22) of the filter system. The total energy consumption (E.sub.G) includes at least of the energy consumption (E.sub.B) for a physical cleaning (24) and the energy consumption (E.sub.P) for the subsequent production cycle (23) up to a predefined, in particular current point in time. The method further includes computing a relative energy consumption (E.sub.rel) by way of division of the recorded total energy consumption (E.sub.G) by a net permeate volume (Q.sub.N) which has been produced during the filtration cycle (22) up to the predefined point in time and starting a physical cleaning (24) in dependence on the relative energy consumption or of a characteristic value derived from this.