This disclosure relates to a blood treatment system including a blood treatment machine, a dialyzer configured to be coupled to the blood treatment machine, a blood line having a first end configured to be connected to the dialyzer and a second end configured to be connected to a needle for insertion into a patient, and one or more sensors operable to transmit, to the blood treatment machine, data related to tension along the blood line. The blood treatment machine is configured to take action in response to the data received from the one or more sensors.

This disclosure relates to a blood treatment system including a blood treatment machine, a dialyzer configured to be coupled to the blood treatment machine, a blood line having a first end configured to be connected to the dialyzer and a second end configured to be connected to a needle for insertion into a patient, and one or more sensors operable to transmit, to the blood treatment machine, data related to tension along the blood line. The blood treatment machine is configured to take action in response to the data received from the one or more sensors.

An example peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. The example peritoneal dialysis system includes an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine configured to remove ultrafiltrate (“UF”) from a patient and record how much UF has been removed. The APD machine operates according to a prescription to remove the UF. The system also includes a server in communication with the APD machine. The server analyzes the UF data to determine if the prescription is to be modified to compensate for changes to the patient's renal function or renal transport characteristics.

An example peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. The example peritoneal dialysis system includes an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine configured to remove ultrafiltrate (“UF”) from a patient and record how much UF has been removed. The APD machine operates according to a prescription to remove the UF. The system also includes a server in communication with the APD machine. The server analyzes the UF data to determine if the prescription is to be modified to compensate for changes to the patient's renal function or renal transport characteristics.

A modular assembly for a portable hemodialysis system may include a dialysis unit, e.g., that contains suitable components for performing hemodialysis, such as a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer, and a power unit having a housing that contains suitable components for providing operating power to the pumps of the dialysis unit. The power unit may be selectively connected to the dialysis unit and provide power (e.g., pneumatic power in the form of pressure and/or vacuum) to the dialysis unit for the pumps when connected to the dialysis unit, but may be incapable of providing power to the dialysis unit when disconnected from the dialysis unit. The dialysis unit and the power unit are sized and weighted to each be carried by hand by a human.

A modular assembly for a portable hemodialysis system may include a dialysis unit, e.g., that contains suitable components for performing hemodialysis, such as a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer, and a power unit having a housing that contains suitable components for providing operating power to the pumps of the dialysis unit. The power unit may be selectively connected to the dialysis unit and provide power (e.g., pneumatic power in the form of pressure and/or vacuum) to the dialysis unit for the pumps when connected to the dialysis unit, but may be incapable of providing power to the dialysis unit when disconnected from the dialysis unit. The dialysis unit and the power unit are sized and weighted to each be carried by hand by a human.

Methods for monitoring patient parameters and blood fluid removal system parameters include identifying those system parameters that result in improved patient parameters or in worsened patient parameters. By comparing the patient's past responses to system parameters or changes in system parameters, a blood fluid removal system may be able to avoid future use of parameters that may harm the patient and may be able to learn which parameters are likely to be most effective in treating the patient in a blood fluid removal session.

Methods for monitoring patient parameters and blood fluid removal system parameters include identifying those system parameters that result in improved patient parameters or in worsened patient parameters. By comparing the patient's past responses to system parameters or changes in system parameters, a blood fluid removal system may be able to avoid future use of parameters that may harm the patient and may be able to learn which parameters are likely to be most effective in treating the patient in a blood fluid removal session.

The present teachings generally include parabiotic dialysis systems and techniques. For example, the present disclosure includes parabiotic liver dialysis, e.g., for use in settings with limited resources. To this end, a parabiotic liver dialysis system may include a device having a semipermeable membrane with an average pore size that allows for the passage of albumin therethrough. In such a system, a first extracorporeal circuit may connect the device to the vascular system of a first animal (e.g., a liver patient), and a second extracorporeal circuit may connect the device to the vascular system of a second animal (e.g., a human with normal liver function), where the exchange of albumin therebetween is facilitated through the device. The present disclosure also includes various safety measures for parabiotic dialysis systems and techniques, such as biometric verification systems and techniques.

A method and apparatus for evaluating a condition of a water purification system (40, 110) comprising a water purification apparatus (110) arranged to output purified water through an outlet (128) and through at least one sterilizing grade filter (70a, 70b) of a line set (40) fluidly connected to the outlet (128), the method comprises: monitoring a flow rate (S1) correlated with the flow rate of the purified water flowing through the at least one sterilizing grade filter (70a, 70b); monitoring a pressure (S2) correlated with the pressure of the purified water flowing to the at least one sterilizing grade filter (70a, 70b); and evaluating (S3) a condition of the water purification system based on a relationship between the monitored flow rate and the monitored pressure.