An example medical device includes a body portion having a tubular inner wall defining an inner channel, and a tubular outer wall encircling the inner wall. The outer wall defines an outer channel between the outer wall and the inner wall. The body portion also includes an indicator substance disposed within the outer channel. The device also includes an indicator portion defining an indicator channel. The body portion is configured to insert at least in part into a patient, and the indicator portion is configured to remain at least in part along an exterior of the patient when the body portion is inserted into the patient. The device is also configured to transfer at least a portion of the indicator substance from the outer channel to the indicator channel when the body portion is bent.

A device (100) for delivering a medicament into a patient's body by injection into or through the patient's skin, including: a main body having a bottom enclosure (104) that has a top surface including a button guide latch (268); a reservoir (160) disposed within the main body for containing the medicament; an injection needle (152) for penetrating the skin of the patient, the needle (152) having a lumen and communicating with the reservoir (160) when the device (100) is activated; a pressurizing system (140, 144) for pressurizing the reservoir (160) when the device (100) is activated; and an activator button (128) movably disposed on the main body and movable from a pre-activated position to an activated position. The activator button (128) includes an activation arm (228). When the activator button (128) moves from the pre-activated position to the activated position, an end of the activation arm (228) engages with the button guide latch (268) and prevents return movement of the activator button (128).

One of the most significant safety concerns in the automation of extracorporeal blood treatments such as dialysis is the risk of blood leakage. Extracorporeal blood treatment systems draw blood at such a high rate that a loss of integrity in the blood circuit can be serious. There are a number of mechanisms for detecting and preventing leaks, but none is perfect. This tends to limit the use of such equipment in unsupervised settings, such as the home will be limited. Some leak detection schemes can be made sensitive enough to detect the barest of leaks, but when this is done, they result in too many false positives. The invention combines information from multiple inputs to enhance sensitivity in leak detection and reduce the problem of false positives.

A device (102) provides respiratory treatment for SDB (including mild OSA) and other respiratory conditions. A flow generator warms and humidifies gas at controlled flow levels. For example, the device (102) delivers breathable gas to the upper airway at flow rates of about 10-35 Liters/minute. Levels of flow rate, temperature and/or humidification of the device any be automatically adjusted in response to the detection of SDB events. The device may also automatically deliver adjustments of any of the levels in accordance with detected phases of respiratory cycles. In some embodiments, the device automatically delivers distinct levels to either of the nares based on independent control of flow to each nare. A warm-up procedure controls temperature and humidity at a desired target during a ramp-up of flow to the set therapy level. A cool-down procedure controls temperature above the dewpoint to avoid condensation internal to the device and patient interface.

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. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump. In another aspect, a system for monitoring the adequacy of blood flow in a blood line of the hemodialysis apparatus allows a controller to suspend dialysate pumping operations if the adequacy of blood flow in the blood line is sub-optimal, and to present information on a display on the quality of blood flow in the blood line.

An add-on device and method for an Endo-Tracheal Tube (ETT), the add-on device including a lengthy body having a major arc-shaped cross section sized and shaped to tightly fit over an ETT, at least one longitudinal cavity passing along the lengthy body, including a distal suction cavity ending with a suction inlet at a distal end of the lengthy body; and a distal suction outlet channel extending from a proximal end of the lengthy body, the channel is a continuous extension of the distal suction cavity and configured to provide suction to the distal suction cavity. The add-on device senses moisture at a distal end of the add-on device, and in case of detection of excessive wetness, provides suction to the distal end of the device through a cavity passing along the device, the suction is provided via a suction outlet channel extending from a proximal end of the device.

A method and a system are provided for detecting a condition indicative of a dislodged needle in a hemodialysis procedure. A venous return pressure for a patient undergoing dialysis is measured. The venous return pressure is analyzed via a controller, and an intravascular blood pressure in proximity to a location of needle insertion into the patient is derived. A lower limit is calculated as a function of the intravascular blood pressure via the controller. An average of the venous return pressure is calculated via the controller during a predetermined time window. The average is compared to the lower limit via the controller, and if the average is within a specified range of the lower limit, the controller determines that a condition indicative of a dislodged needle is present.

A flushable valve which has unidirectional flushing can be used to flush a lumen of a stent, catheter and/or tubing. By flushing the stent, catheter and/or tubing, particulates or residue that can block or impede the flow of fluid out of the stent, catheter and/or tubing can be overcome thereby facilitating continued drainage. An automatic flushable valve eliminates manual manipulation of the device. In an embodiment of the invention, a back pressure sensor can be used to detect when the flow through the stent, catheter and/or tubing has become impeded and activates a flushing cycle. In an embodiment of the invention, a leak detector can be used to detect when an operation has caused the flush device to leak. In various embodiments of the invention, the back pressure sensor and the leak detector can be used to detect that the flush device is operating under normal conditions.

The present disclosure pertains to a system for controlling a leak flow rate during respiratory therapy. The system is configured to determine a leak flow rate necessary for CO.sub.2 expulsion for an individual subject and facilitate control of the leak flow rate during therapy such that the system exhausts substantially the entire exhaled volume of gas during an expiration of the subject. The system facilitates control of the leak flow rate during therapy via an adjustable leak valve. Determining the leak flow rate for the subject and facilitating control of the leak rate may minimize noise from air flow in the system, minimize the power draw needed by a pressure generator of the system, reduce a loss of medicine added to the respiratory therapy gas, and/or have other advantages, while still expelling the desired amount of CO.sub.2.

An add-on device and method for an Endo-Tracheal Tube (ETT), the add-on device including a lengthy body having a major arc-shaped cross section sized and shaped to tightly fit over an ETT, at least one longitudinal cavity passing along the lengthy body, including a distal suction cavity ending with a suction inlet at a distal end of the lengthy body; and a distal suction outlet channel extending from a proximal end of the lengthy body, the channel is a continuous extension of the distal suction cavity and configured to provide suction to the distal suction cavity. The add-on device senses moisture at a distal end of the add-on device, and in case of detection of excessive wetness, provides suction to the distal end of the device through a cavity passing along the device, the suction is provided via a suction outlet channel extending from a proximal end of the device.