A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.

Therapy gas delivery systems that provide run-time-to-empty information to a user of the system and methods for administering therapeutic gas to a patient. The therapeutic gas delivery system may include a gas pressure sensor attachable to a therapeutic gas source that communicates therapeutic gas pressure data to a therapeutic gas delivery system controller, a gas temperature sensor positioned to measure gas temperature in the therapeutic gas source that communicates therapeutic gas temperature data to the therapeutic gas delivery system controller, at least one flow controller that communicates therapeutic gas flow rate data to the therapeutic gas delivery system controller, at least one flow sensor that communicates flow rate data to the therapeutic gas delivery system controller, and at least one display that communicates run-time-to-empty to a user of the therapeutic gas delivery system. The therapeutic gas delivery system controller of the system includes a processor that executes an algorithm to calculate the run-time-to-empty from the data received from the gas pressure sensor, temperature sensor, flow controller and flow sensor, and directs the result to the display.

A system and method for monitoring and delivering medication to a patient. The system includes a controller that has a control algorithm and a closed loop control that monitors the control algorithm. A sensor is in communication with the controller and monitors a medical condition. A rule based application in the controller receives data from the sensor and the closed loop control and compares the data to predetermined medical information to determine the risk of automation of therapy to the patient. A system monitor is also in communication with the controller to monitor system, remote system, and network activity and conditions. The controller then provides a predetermined risk threshold where below the predetermined risk threshold automated closed loop medication therapy is provided. If the predetermined risk threshold is met or exceeded, automated therapy adjustments may not occur and user/clinician intervention is requested.

A blood glucose control system is configured to modify therapy provided to a subject. The system can cause first therapy to be delivered by the blood glucose control system to a subject during a first therapy period. The first therapy can be delivered based at least in part on a first value of a control parameter used by a control algorithm to generate a dose control signal. The system can determine a first effect corresponding at least in part to the first therapy and autonomously generate a second value of the control parameter. The system can cause second therapy to be delivered by the blood glucose control system to the subject during a second therapy period, wherein the second therapy is delivered based at least in part on the second value of the control parameter.

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 system is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir for containing a fluidic medium, the reservoir including a front surface, a resilient cylindrical flexure portion connected to the front surface, the resilient cylindrical flexure portion comprising an accordion-like structure that is able to expand and contract to change an interior volume within the resilient cylindrical flexure portion, a central passageway within the resilient cylindrical flexure, and a collection chamber connected to the central passageway. Also, a system including a reservoir, a plunger head located within the reservoir, a plunger arm connected to the plunger head, a driving shaft connected to the plunger arm, and a motor connected to the driving shaft, the motor controllable to move the drive shaft in a first motion and a second motion so as to move the advance plunger head and retract the plunger head within the reservoir.

A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.

A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.

A dialysis unit for performing a dialysis treatment to a patient, the dialysis unit including a fluid pathway, a fluid pump configured to move a fluid through the fluid pathway, a sensor configured to measure the fluid pressure in the fluid pathway, and a processing unit operatively connected to the fluid pump and the sensor, the processing unit is configured to control the fluid pump at a first flow rate, receive a first pressure measurement from the sensor, compare the first pressure measurement to a first threshold, and determine based on the comparison whether or not an abnormal variation of the fluid pressure has occurred.