Patent classifications
A61M1/1664
In-line heating of dialysis fluids
Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cartridge or cassette (e.g., a disposable cartridge or cassette) positionable within the dialysis machine. The cassette includes a fluid flow channel. The dialysis machine includes a heating chamber for in-line heating of the dialysate in the fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel is arranged and configured to provide turbulent flow of the dialysate through the fluid flow channel to provide increased heat transfer from the heating chamber to the dialysate.
Control systems and methods for blood or fluid handling medical devices
A processor of a medical device configured to communicate with a remote server can be programmed to protect the medical device from exposure to unauthorized or malicious software. A system or method to implement this form of protection can include, for example, at least one processor on the medical device, a control software module that controls the operation of the medical device and is executable on the processor, a data management module that manages data flow to and from the control software module from sources external to the medical device, and an agent module that has access to a limited number of designated memory locations in the medical device. In addition, a hemodialysis apparatus can be configured to operate in conjunction with an apparatus for providing purified water from a source such as a municipal water supply or a well. A system for controlling delivery of purified water to the hemodialysis apparatus can comprise a therapy controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with a controller of a water purification device, and a user interface controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with the therapy controller, and to send data to and receive data from a user interface.
Ultra low-leakage silicone-based heater thermally coupled to a heat transfer body
Systems and methods include a heat transfer body with opposing major surfaces formed from a thermally conductive substrate in intimate thermal interaction with an alumina exterior surface that extends across the major surfaces of the body. In an illustrative example, the heat source may be a substantially planar, silicone-based heater source (P-SBHS). The heat transfer body may be configured to thermally interact, for example, heat from a heat source proximate a first of the major surfaces to a second of the major surfaces. A temperature sensor module may be located, for example, proximate to the first major surface such that a temperature sensor thermally interacts with the first major surface. The temperature sensor module may, for example, insulate the temperature sensor from the P-SBHS.
Medical treatment system and methods using a plurality of fluid lines
A medical treatment system, such as a peritoneal dialysis system, may include a control system and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, the peritoneal dialysis system may include the control system that can adjust a volume of fluid infused into a peritoneal cavity to prevent an intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle of the one or more therapy cycles to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle of the one or more therapy cycles. The control system may also adjust a dwell time of the fluid within the peritoneal cavity during the one or more therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period. A cycler may also be configured to have a heater control system that monitors both a temperature of a heating tray and a temperature of a bag of dialysis fluid in order to bring a temperature of the dialysis fluid rapidly to a specified temperature, with minimal temperature overshoot.
Peritoneal dialysis systems, devices, and methods
A method of performing a dialysis treatment includes using a pump and a dialysate supply line to transport peritoneal dialysis fluid, the supply line having a proximal end into which peritoneal dialysis fluid is supplied and from which spend dialysate is withdrawn, and a distal end which is connected to a patient's peritoneal access. The method further includes generating proximal and distal pressure signals using pressure detectors located at both the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of said supply line. During a drain cycle in which spent dialysate is pumped from the patient, the method includes, responsively to the proximal and distal pressure signals, detecting a characteristic of a pressure difference between the distal and proximal ends whose magnitude is determined by a predicted change in dialysate properties, and responsively to the characteristic, generating a signal indicating the change in dialysate properties.
PUMPING CASSETTE
A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump. The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line.
MEDICAL FLUID THERAPY SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING DISTILLATION
A fluid purification unit is disclosed. In an example, a fluid purification unit includes a heater configured to boil a fluid. The heater includes first and second electrodes positioned and arranged to contact the fluid. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive electrical power, heat resistively due to the electrical power, and transfer the heat to the fluid to boil the fluid to form water vapor. The fluid purification unit also includes a condenser including (i) a thermally conductive flowpath configured to conductively cool the water vapor, and (ii) a cooling source configured to direct a cooling medium past the thermally conductive flowpath to convectively cool the water vapor. The conductive and convective cooling combines to condense the water vapor into purified water.
INLINE HEATER FOR A PERITONEAL DIALYSIS SYSTEM
Systems and devices are provided for heating an infusible liquid. The inline heater includes a fluid flow channel defined by a conduit for flowing an infusible liquid through a first portion of the conduit having a first cross-sectional dimension to a second portion of the conduit having a smaller second cross-sectional dimension. A nozzle is disposed in the first portion of the conduit. A heating element in thermal communication with an outer surface of the second portion of the conduit conducts heat through the conduit into the infusible liquid. The nozzle is positioned to spray the infusible liquid about a circumference of an inner wall of the second portion of the conduit to provide increased heat transfer from the heating element to the infusible liquid. The inline heater may be formed as a cassette for use in a dialysis machine.
IN-LINE HEATING OF DIALYSIS FLUIDS
Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cartridge or cassette (e.g., a disposable cartridge or cassette) positionable within the dialysis machine. The cassette includes a fluid flow channel. The dialysis machine includes a heating chamber for in-line heating of the dialysate in the fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel is arranged and configured to provide turbulent flow of the dialysate through the fluid flow channel to provide increased heat transfer from the heating chamber to the dialysate.
Balancing Method and Balancing Unit Being Independent of Temperature Disturbance
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.